Moving from ON to BC, booking flights advice?

[kuhltiffany]

Hi there! W're in the process of moving from Ontario to BC (Kelowna). We go to FL usually once per year to go to DW or Cruise from Port Canaveral. Usually we drive to Buffalo and fly from there, so we aren't used to paying huge amounts for flights (although we go for March Break, I book Southwest flights the minute they get released .

We already have a cruise booked for next March leaving out of Port Canaveral and I need to book flights for March 14 to 28/2015. I'm lost! No direct flights, no close drive to the US...I'll take any advice from those who travel from BC, please

I think we'll be looking at going to DL after this!

 

[Aladora]

We usually take the ferry to Seattle and fly from there, although that is a pretty long drive from Kelowna...maybe check flights from YLW to SEA?

Also, check out Jet Blue and welcome to BC!

 

[sechelt]

When it comes to cost, flying from B.C. to Orlando is horrible. It's sort of like taking two trips, one across the country and one down to Florida. You might consider driving to the U.S. to catch a flight, even though it's farther than you're used to. Using the Coquihalla, and if the weather is good, you should be able to make Bellingham in about 4-5 hours. Alaska Air flies to Orlando and maybe others too. Honestly don't know. Seattle is an extra couple of hours but it might be worth it, just to save the money. I'd check flights out of Vancouver too, on the U.S. airlines as well as Canadian. Never know when you'll get a deal. Do you have airmiles? Would you be able to use them to fly to somewhere in the states and then find a reasonably priced flight from within the U.S.?

Welcome to B.C. Hope you enjoy Kelowna. We lived there almost 30 years.

 

[maekeith]

Yes, flying to Florida from Kelowna is definitely a budget breaker. If it weren't for airmiles and WestJet dollars we would probably be setting our sights on DisneyLand.
I would keep my eyes open for seat sales on both WestJet and Air Canada. You could also fly to Seattle from Kelowna. Personally, I would only drive to Seattle when I am guaranteed good weather. The driving conditions on the highways from here to Vancouver/Seattle can be quite challenging in late fall, winter and early spring.
And welcome to BC. I'm sure you will like Kelowna.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I used to live near Kelowna. We would fly from Kelowna to Seattle, Seattle to MCO - OR sometimes we could get a really good rate for YVR to MCO. We are flying to MCO from YVR at the end of the month as it was only $75 more than flying from Seattle - by the time I figured either gas/hotel or shuttle bus down to Seattle, it was easier and the same price from Vancouver. So just shop around. You will find good deals probably in Dec-Jan for March.

 

[WestWind]

We are not far from Kelowna and go DL about once a year. We are about an hour closer to the border than Kelowna and we usually drive (about 5 hours) to Seattle to fly from there - much less money even considering the cost of driving to Seattle. We have flown from Spokane which is about the same driving time as Seattle is. We have also flown with Westjet from Kelowna when they have a good seat sale price which doesn't happen often. Welcome to BC and the Okanagan!

 

[Eddygirl]

I hear you! We are from the Okanagan and flying is a PAIN....in the wallet and transfers to most US Destinations!

We drive to Seattle. Cross over at Sumas crossing as it usually has less wait times. We try and time am flights from Seattle and drive to Renton the night before and stay in a hotel overnight....many offer stay and park packages and shuttle you to and from the airport. Basically the cost of the hotel for a week is a wash if you were to price out parking at the airport.

Boarder wait times can be dicey and have run into many folks that cut it too close or missed flights when trying to come across the same day. I can not imagine the dress of finding a 3+ hour border line up when my flight is 4 hours away....you know you are not going to make it!

 

[squirrel]

Alaska Airlines has direct flights from Seattle. They use to have red-eye flights, which I love for trips to WDW. The first day was always a non-park day anyway but we can sleep a few hours on the flight and then hang out at the resort and swim or go to DTD, then get to bed early and then we are set with the time change.

Park and Fly would be your best deal if you drive your car down to Seattle. We liked Best Western, even though we didn't do the park and fly. We still spent the night and took the shuttle in the am while my mom and sister hung out before checking out and driving home.

Alaska Airlines also has a deal where if you sign up for their CC you get a once a year $99 companion flight with the purchase of a regular fare ticket. Depending on how much you spend on the CC you can also get enough points for free flights.