Questions for northeast Ohio folks

[The.Epcot.Man]

We're looking at possibly flying out of Akron instead of Cleveland. We live about an hour away, but with some questions:

How does CAK compare to CLE in terms of crowd, ease of access, etc?

Do you think a 1 hour drive is too much before or after the flight?

Any other insights would be helpful!

Thanks!

 

[toywaltz]

I fly out of CAK a lot. It's pretty much a breeze to do anything. If I'm returning the same day, I'll park in the short-term lot which is only about 50' from the door! Never much of a security line and overall a nice little airport. Fares have gone up the last couple years. It used to be the cheapest over any Ohio airports. I rarely fly from CLE because it's about two hours for me but sometimes I can get better flights from there so I'm familiar. I'm basically an hour or so between CAK, CMH, and PIT and prefer CAK by far. Only problem is Southwest doesn't fly out of there and they fly direct to a lot of my usuals and I'll take a direct flight any day.

 

[Carriemel]

I worked at CAK for about 3 years. VERY easy airport to get in and out of. If you do carry-on bags only, you can be from gate to car in less than 5 minutes. There's at most a 5 minute wait to get through security.

 

[cmskok]

Hi! I am a Cleveland Heightser and we have used several different airports. We have used Detroit and Pittsburgh and Cleveland but we have not used Akron. we have considered it, though. The drive is not bad, unless it is snowing! We drove through a snowstorm to return from Detroit, and that was no fun at all!! However the drive from Pittsburgh was a breeze! The 2 hours was not bad at all and when you can save almost $100 per person on a flight, it is worth it!!!

Good luck!!

 

[The.Epcot.Man]

I worked at CAK for about 3 years. VERY easy airport to get in and out of. If you do carry-on bags only, you can be from gate to car in less than 5 minutes. There's at most a 5 minute wait to get through security.

Is long term parking that close to the terminal?

Can't go with just carry-on.....we have to check bags.

thx!

 

[hedgehog2owl]

Is long term parking that close to the terminal?

Can't go with just carry-on.....we have to check bags.

thx!

CAK is easy-peasy

We fly from PIT, CAK or CLE and CAK is the easiest to get around in. The parking lot is not far at all. (And there is trams)

They are all easy airports to drive to, but I think CAK is the easiest to park. They only have 2 security lines (if memory serves me). but they never seem to be very long.

 

[toywaltz]

Is long term parking that close to the terminal?

Can't go with just carry-on.....we have to check bags.

thx!

It's close enough you can easily walk to your car in the cheapest lot quicker than taking a shuttle van. By the time they maneuver through the lots/gates and such, you can be at your car. Only time I take the shuttle is if I have the kids or some big bags.

 

[Thumper4me]

I live about an hour from CAK and an hour from Cleveland Hopkins. So, it is a toss up as far as driving time.

The Akron airport is MUCH smaller. It is easier to navigate through security and the gates are not a long walk. Parking is also VERY close. On the other hand, depending on which gate you are assigned in Cleveland, it can be quite a haul. I don't mind the walk but my Mother has arthriits is her feet so the fewer steps for her the better.

Generally, I can get more direct flights to places out of Cleveland and if something unforeseen happens (weather, cancelled flights, etc.), there are more options in Cleveland over the Akron airport.

Good luck with your decision.

Kelly

 

[Order66]

I'm 20 minutes from CLE and 1 HR+ from CAK. For the same price I'd rather have the short drive and have someone drop off/pick us up. For the savings, I'll go where it's least expensive. Prices to MCO out of CLE are INSANE this year so I'm taking SW out of Columbus in June. $59 each way on non stop flights vs. $135 with a connection will make that drive a little easier. In fact since I'm saving over $400 we're staying an extra day!

CAK is a breeze. The drive is not that bad. Right down 77 (from Cleveland). No need to arrive 2 hours before your flight. An hour or so is more than enough to check in, check your bags and get through security. Much less crowded, much shorter lines. Overall a small but very efficient airport. Not as many food choices as CLE has. Airtran has 1 non-stop to MCO daily. From CLE your only non stop choice is Continental. Don't know when your trip is but I haven't seen Continental drop under $300 to MCO since Feb when I started looking.

So if you're getting better rates from CAK.....book it. Or be adventurous and try Columbus. I've never flown from there, but I'm told it's very similar to CAK. Small and easy to get in and out of.

regards

 

[Pembo]

We have flown out of CAK...like everyone said, small airport, easy parking. This summer we too are flying Southwest out of CMH for $59...I think the rate is $85 now. From what I've read, parking there is inexpensive also. We're 2+ hours from CMH but considering that flying out of CLE or CAK was over $150 more pp (x five of us)...we'll do the drive.

 

[toywaltz]

Columbus is MUCH larger than Akron. Probably 5 times as many pax. It's not as big as CLE but I'd guess it's close. CMH has several long-term lots but the blue or red are the best. They're around $6/day where terminal parking is $10-$12/day. Honestly, the long-term lots are more convenient IMHO but you're parking outside vs terminal garage. The buses are quite good at getting you to/from those lots. It's usually 10-15 minutes from car to terminal. Very nice airport though and fairly efficient. There are longer security lines than CAK but they have three terminals and it usually moves pretty quick.

We're going through CMH in a couple weeks for our cruise. Airtran from CAK was a pretty good price, but I prefer Southwest and their direct flight times were better. You really can't go wrong between CMH or CAK there's nothing bad about either one IMHO. Worst part would be dealing with traffic on 71 between cleveland and columbus. 77 down to CAK is a breeze.

 

[The.Epcot.Man]

Thanks everyone!

We were looking at Columbus, but since we're 2 hours away, the gas and drive aren't worth it.

Someone mentioned AirTran out of Akron and they have flights from $99, but there's only 1 direct. I'm not opposed to a layover, but the wife is!

Any experiences with AirTran......good or bad?

[still keeping fingers crossed for FD in the fall!]

 

[taximomfor4]

We tend to drive (there are 6 of us), but have gotten really good airfare and flown SW and Continental from CLE and SW out of Columbus a few yrs ago. Both are larger than Akron (CAK), but both are easy, well-marked drives and easiloy navigable airports. CAK is definitely SMALL, and I LOVE it. Haven't flown out of there as a family, but have flown several times out of there solo. Small, easy to navigate, and easy to drive to.

So I say, no worries -- pick what works for you. You'll get through the airport fine!

 

[toywaltz]

Thanks everyone!

We were looking at Columbus, but since we're 2 hours away, the gas and drive aren't worth it.

Someone mentioned AirTran out of Akron and they have flights from $99, but there's only 1 direct. I'm not opposed to a layover, but the wife is!

Any experiences with AirTran......good or bad?

[still keeping fingers crossed for FD in the fall!]

Price wise, CAK and CMH are usually close these days so the extra miles might not be worth it to you. There's a lot of info around here about Airtran...god and bad. Personally I'm not a big fan but I use them a lot for business. They have a direct to Boston from CAK I use all the time. The direct flights are pretty good and I usually do the business upgrade. The seats aren't very comfy out back. I'm paying about $100 more to go SW with the family next month out of CMH over airtran. I just prefer them and the flight times are better.

 

[Order66]

Thanks for the info on CMH. The SW site suggests only 1 hour for both CMH and CAK. I know for CAK 1 hour is plenty.....but do you suggest longer for CMH? They (SW) suggest 1.5 for CLE and I know that's normally OK but can be cutting it close depending on the day you are flying. We usually still do 2 because it takes us a bit longer to get through with 2 kids. This time I'm traveling without another adult...though they are 10, not little kids, just pokey. LOL

I've flown AirTran out of CAK a few times and never really had any problems. Flights were on time and we had good flights. One downside, which turned out OK for me were several schedule changes. It worked to my advantage as I had to book the connecting flight to MCO to get the lowest price...and they changed it to only a 30 minute layover....in ATL You can't get to a bathroom in ATL in 30 minutes let alone to another plane! So I called and had them rebook us for the non-stop flight and change our return to the next day....all done no problems and no fees. So while they are known for making a lot of changes, my experience is that they are excellent to work with to change things to suit you when they've made schedule changes.

That said, remember your $99 flight + taxes + $6 seat reservation + $15 first bag fees do add up. I've usually been able to keep my totals to under $200 pp from either CLE or CAK to MCO. This year AirTran had been only as low as $109 each way for the non stop for my June dates. That X 6 X 3 people + all the other fees came out to over $850 for 3 of us. I booked SW for $418with taxes, no fees. So even figuring in $125 for gas and parking, I'm still ahead $300. An extra night at POR + DDP and still ahead $50. So don't rule out Columbus if you can snag a great deal like I did.

regards

 

[The.Epcot.Man]

thanks, order66! right now, sw is $135 with a layover out of CLE, AT is 109 out of akron direct....2 hour flight versus 4 hours with a layover. I wish SW did direct out of cleveland!

 

[CleveRocks]

Do you think a 1 hour drive is too much before or after the flight?

I never flew out of CAK, but I can share my opinion that driving an hour to get to a more desirable airport (whether for price or convenience) is well worth it.

Hi! I am a Cleveland Heightser

... and I'm a former resident of Cedar Road between Lee and Coventry. My wife and I really miss Cleveland Heights. Some of our fondest lifetime memories are from our three short years there in the late 90's.

But back to airports, I never used CAK but on many occasions I parked in the University Circle area and walked to the Red Line and took the Rapid down to CLE. For business trips when I wasn't weighed down with a lot of luggage, I couldn't beat the convenience of taking the Rapid to the airport.

 

[Order66]

thanks, order66! right now, sw is $135 with a layover out of CLE, AT is 109 out of akron direct....2 hour flight versus 4 hours with a layover. I wish SW did direct out of cleveland!

They used to. Now they only have 1 on saturdays to/from MCO...during the peak travel season. Cleveland is obviously not a desirable market for them since we have lousy flights and no good deals. That, or it's a great market for them and there is no reason to offer us anything better. We can take it or leave it I guess. That's why I'm leaving it.

OTOH, the good thing is that if for some reason the SW gods smile upon us.....you can cancel and rebook at no charge. I've been watching, but the gods are not smiling.

regards