Sarasota

[esbrick]

OK so we need to go to Sarasota for a wedding in July. What is the best airport to fly into?

 

[NotUrsula]

Best in terms of convenience would be Sarasota, but it is very small, and thus not the best value pricewise.

TPA (Tampa Intl.) is the closest large airport with fairly competitive pricing, but they have had flight cuts lately, so their times can sometimes be inconvenient.

MCO is normally about 2.5 hours from most destinations in Sarasota proper. Add another 30-40 minutes if your destination is on Longboat or Siesta Key (bridge traffic). It might be worthwhile if you have plenty of time but are short on cash.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Sarasota is the closest and will be higer in fares. Also, non-stop flights are few and far between. I know that US Air and Airtran fly into Sarasota. It is a very convenient airport to access. Tampa is the next closest airport. Depending on where you are headed in Sarasota, Tampa airport is 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes away.

 

[uva185]

Definitely fly into Sarasota!!

Right now there are both non-stop and connecting flights on Air Tran from Chicago to Sarasota for $150 r/t

 

[aidensmom73]

Best in terms of convenience would be Sarasota, but it is very small, and thus not the best value pricewise.

TPA (Tampa Intl.) is the closest large airport with fairly competitive pricing, but they have had flight cuts lately, so their times can sometimes be inconvenient.

MCO is normally about 2.5 hours from most destinations in Sarasota proper. Add another 30-40 minutes if your destination is on Longboat or Siesta Key (bridge traffic). It might be worthwhile if you have plenty of time but are short on cash.

We are headed to Longboat in August..can't wait!!!

 

[Maine-iac]

Sarasota is the closest and will be higer in fares. Also, non-stop flights are few and far between. I know that US Air and Airtran fly into Sarasota. It is a very convenient airport to access. Tampa is the next closest airport. Depending on where you are headed in Sarasota, Tampa airport is 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes away.

We are planning on flying into Sarasota in late Feb. We will be staying at a motel in Sarasota and going to some Red Sox spring training games before heading to WDW.
Since we are flying out of PWM and there are not any non stops to Tampa, Sarasota will be fine. Also car rentals out of Sarasota are cheaper.
Of course I will continue to check prices/fares for both airports.