What time to leave for airport on departure day?

[breandconsmom]

Have a departure flight out of MCO for 5:15pm on May 10th. We have to return rental car to Hertz 1st and then go to the airport. I have no luggage to check, only carry on bag. We will be at Epcot in the morning and were wondering when we should leave for the airport?

 

[vicki_c]

Depending on your own tolerance, 2-3 hours from your flight time.

ME picks up 3 hours in advance, most car services 2 hours in advance. I'd say 2 since you have no bags to check, but since you have to drop off the car too, 2.5 is safer.

Came back to edit -- I now say 3, since I see you said Hertz which is off site and you have to take the shuttle.

 

[breandconsmom]

So if we leave Epcot by 2 that should give us enough time?

 

[safetymom]

Actually Hertz is onsite now!

 

[breandconsmom]

Safetymom, do you know where it is? Have not used Hertz since it was onsite. Do you know where we go after baggage claim? Should one of us get our bag and the other do the car?

 

[wdw&sonny]

All the car rentals are downstairs from baggage claim. Definately a good idea to send someone down to get in rental line while other claims bags.

Also, if you leave EP at 2:00, you could be at the airport at 2:30, return car by 2:40, through security by 2:50 and sitting at gate by 3:00pm...best case scenario...wondering why you left so early...that's what happened to us.

but of course if you leave at 3:00 and traffic is bad, delays at rental return and security...you'll be in a panic.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I like to leave 3 hrs before our flight. Even if it doesn't take a full hour to get to airport, I like to allow some extra cushion in case of traffic delays, accidents, flat tire, etc. You just never know. We usually like to grab a bite to eat at the gate too. For us a 5:15 flight would get us back home by 8 ish then driving home, etc. would be too late to eat dinner for our kids. I don't like to feel rushed while on vac.
We've also taken wrong turn once when stopping to get gas for the rental car due to detours and was glad we weren't so pressed for time. It was stressful enough without that pressure too.
Don't forget to return with a full tank or they charge you through the nose unless you prepay for a full tank which also charges you extra.