MLB to Vero

[msdis]

Anyone know how far, miles and time wise from MLB? Also the ease of getting from the airport to the resort and back again? How about car rentals? Which companies are on property at the airport? TIA!

 

[Beast fan]

On Yahoo! maps, it shows a distance of about 42 miles and 1hr, 9 mins. According to www.mlbair.com the following airlines service mlb.....
Vintage Props and Jets (service daily)
Delta Connection/ASA (service daily)
Delta Connection/Comair (service daily)
Delta (service daily)
Rental car companies at MLB (not sure how close) are listed as...Avis, Alamo, Budget, Hertz and National.

You may want to check out Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). The distance is about 75 miles (about 1 1/2 hr drive, depending on your driving speed).

According to the PBI website (www.pbia.org), the following airlines service PBI...
Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, Bahamas Air, CanJet, Delta Connection/Comair, Continental Airlines, Continental Connection, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Laker Air, Northwest Airlines, Song, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and (finally) US Airways Express.

Personally, we liked PBI when we went to Vero last May/June. We flew on Delta (or one of their "Connections"). The airport was smaller than MCO, but not too small. They also have a fairly decent selection of rental car facilities nearby (you will probably have to take a 5 minute shuttle to a car like we did), such as ....
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.

This may be a bit more info than you asked for , but I feel it's good to know the alternatives. Also, we LOVED PBI and will use this airport again when we go to Vero next year (hopefully in April, 2005).

Have fun!
Dave

 

[Dasha]

Before you book MLB check the rental car rates. We go through Orlando all the time as the rental rates are a lot cheaper usually.

Other than that, MLB is a small airport and a breeze.

 

[PamOKW]

This site may be helpful.

Melbourne International Airport

 

[msdis]

Thanks for the tips but we are already booked thur Delta(Comair). PBI was a good second option but the whole flight itineraries did not fit our schedule as good. Surprisingly the rates were only 30.00 more pp than at MCO. It would have been another rental day on the car for just a couple hours overlap, another day at the kennel for the dog, and a night's stay in MCO as the flight in was real late. So all in all this worked so much better for us. Not to mention the difference in travel both ways, gas, tolls, and travel time. Having never been to MLB I was just not sure what to expect. I wondered about the car rentals too but for National, which is who we usually use, the price was actually a dollar and change less at MLB vs MCO. The only difference is they do not have EA. No big deal. I just want to be sure they are on property, no shuttles. Any other comments such as where's the best, easiest place to stop for groceries along the way. Tips on where to go for a scenic drive, what else is along A1A, bacically anything anyone wants to say about VB or the area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[scootert]

Msdis -- DH and I flew into MLB in early May. It was wonderful. We rented from Hertz and had no problems at all. They are on property -- stopped by the desk on the way to the luggage, then walked out to the car. Very easy. Return also a breeze-- just drive into the return area, take the keys with you to the desk and drop them off.

We drove to Vero on A1A. It's two lanes most of the way and almost all residential. Speed limit varies from 35 to 50. We made it to Vero in less than an hour even with that. We went back on Rt 1 and were surprised that it was four lane the entire way. It's also a pretty drive. We always stop at Publix on Rt 1 for groceries as it's the closest to the resort. There's a Walmart further north on Rt 1 as well.

MLB does not have screening machines for luggage, so all luggage is "inspected" by TSA -- they do that test with a piece of cloth to see if there are chemicals, etc in the suitcase. We had no problems and were on our way quickly.

We enjoyed flying through MLB for all the reasons you mentioned -- drive is much shorter, we were able to get a good flight schedule and the price was only about $30 more per ticket than MCO. It was worth the difference to us to have a shorter drive and a much saner airport.

Hope you have a great trip...

 

[Beast fan]

msdis,

Sorry if I rambled in my previous post. I guess I didn't truly read your original post and your questions on it.

Thanks for your info! I'll check them out next time. I really don't like "huge" airports. If the price is right, we'll definitely check out flying into MLB. (DW makes the DVC ressies, while I make the plane and car ressies.)

Dave

 

[msdis]

Scooter- Thanks so much for all the info and tips. Looks like we made the right choice.We have AAA and since Hertz is their partner I will check them out. We have always used National but I think with AAA we can get other benefits with Hertz too.

Our local airport has the same sreening set up which is fine. They actually put those plastic zip-locks on our luggage which makes me feel better knowing someone else has not gone thru my luggage.

So there is a RT 1 and Rt A1A? I'm guessing one is a highway and the other is the main road along the coast. So maybe A1A
would be the better choice for a more scenic drive?


Dave-If you connect in CVG which I suspect you would in MI on Delta, then these flights would be good for you too. The other thing I found in checking PBI and DAB was there were 3 legs each way unless I wanted to pay a fortune. Plus it turned into an all day project. These flights were 2 legs, short layovers and convenient times of the day. Thanks for all your tips just the same.

 

[scootert]

Msdis,

A1A is the road along the ocean, but you really can't see a lot of it for most of the drive. It's a very nice drive, lots of VERY nice homes, etc. Rt 1 goes along the edge of the river -- it's likely to be a bit busier, but it is also has gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, etc that A1A doesn't have.

We are AAA members and got a great deal on a full size rental. I made the original reservation several months out and then kept checking for better rates. The week before we left, rates dropped again AND I had a $25 off AAA coupon. Car including taxes was around 160 which we thought was a great deal for full size.

Have a great time

 

[msdis]

Scooter- Thanks again.............I'm off to study...........