Melbourne?

[CaliforniaCastaway]

We always fly into Orlando, but this time it looks like flights into Melbourne are cheaper. Is it convenient to get to the Port from here? What about hotel and transportation recommendations? We will only be staying one night and leaving early for the Port the next day.

 

[littlebitsmom]

We fly in and out of Melbourne on a regular basis as my in-laws live near there. It used to be cheaper for us to use MCO but not anymore. I like Melbourne airport b/c it's small, no crowds, and much easier to manage with kids! They even have a playground inside (don't recall ever seeing one of those at MCO).

I'm not sure of transportation to PC from Melbourne airport as my in-laws picked us up and drove us when we cruised earlier this month. However, I'm sure it would be much cheaper for a family to take a taxi the ~25 miles from the airport to PC than it would be to use DCL transportation at $70/person.

 

[kcashner]

Your mode of transportation will be a rental car or a taxi. I don't know about hotels near Melbourne, but you can certainly drive to the port area and get a hotel at Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach.

 

[BeeTeacher]

It's pretty easy to get from the Melbourne Airport to the Port. You can either get on US1 and go north to the beachline (528) or go east to A1A via the causeway and then go north on AIA to the port. 2nd option would take longer due to traffic--maybe 30 mins 95 or 45 A1A if traffic is bad

 

[Capt_BJ]

points to ponder

- Melb airport to the port is ruffly 28.5 miles. At a 'typical' taxi fare of $3 per mile that works out to $85 plus tip - altho that would be per car and not per person
(http://www.callacabonline.com/Pricing.html & http://www.mlbair.com/PassengerInformation/MapsParkingGroundTransportation/GroundTransportation.aspx)

- the local shuttle companies would be happy to serve you but when looking at prices remember that the shuttle cost is typically per person

- rental cars available at the airport pretty much match what's available at the port with th exception of National (no port location) see http://www.mlbair.com/PassengerInformation/MapsParkingGroundTransportation/RentalCars.aspx

- the drive to the port is not complicated but not as easy as the drive from Orlando Airport to the port

- plenty of hotel options along the beach all the way 'tween Melb' and the port