What would you do: early morning flight 2 hours away?

[PrincessJasmine08]

I just booked our flights today with Southwest for our December/January trip. Our flight to Orlando departs at 7:25am. We are booked to travel out of Columbus, Ohio even though we live in Cincinnati because it was hundreds of dollars cheaper. It is about a 2 hour drive for us to the Columbus airport. Anyway, we leave on December 26th, so I am thinking about staying at a hotel the night before. I just don't know though since the night before is Christmas! I can't picture getting all the Christmas stuff done and all the packing stuff done and getting to a hotel in Columbus on Christmas day! But at the same time I can't picuture leaving our house at 3am for the flight! Does anyone know if there is a hotel actually IN the Columbus airport, that would help. Any suggestions/imput greatly appreciated!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Have you tried Googling the airport by name? Most (major, anyway) airports have websites that would include this information.

 

[tracys2cents]

Find a hotel that allows cancellation up to 6pm day-of-arrival and see how it goes. Obviously if snow is predicted you'll want to get close to the airport. Depending on how your day is going...you may decide to abort the plan or not.

Anyhow, hotels are usually EMPTY at Christmas so you could probably just decide that day what you're going to do. And it's not like you really have to rush on Christmas. Things at our house usually quiet down around 5pm anyway. Leaving Cinci at 7pm and getting to your hotel at 9pm wouldn't be so bad.

 

[tracys2cents]

And yes, I've been to that airport and indeed there is a hotel practically right at the terminal. I think it might be the Concourse Hotel, but the reviews are bad. The Hilton Garden Inn looks good and a quick hike to the airport.

 

[CleveRocks]

Personally, I'd choose to stay overnight, and at the hotel practically inside the terminal. Bad reviews? I really wouldn't care, I'd just need to flop there for a few hours before I have to wake up and get to my flight. I mean, unless the reviews say that some of the rooms don't have beds, or there are bugs or rodents that bit someone's foot off, I wouldn't even take it into account.

 

[kaddjr]

I would get a room near the airport. We live 2 hours north of Indy and do this if we have a flight earlier than noon. I have a hard time sleeping the night before a trip and overall, it's just easier for my family.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

You all would still stay at the hotel by the airport even though it is Christmas day?

 

[CleveRocks]

You could leave home at 8 or 9 Christmas night. That way, you get alomost all of Christmas day in, then you spend your time driving that night and as a result get more sleep because you can wake up later.

 

[Tara]

You all would still stay at the hotel by the airport even though it is Christmas day?

For me, by the time 5pm or so rolls around, the festivities are fairly well over, and so I'd much rather not have to get up at -- scratch that -- before the crack of dawn. Nothing better than finishing off Christmas day by getting a head start on a trip to WDW!

 

[scoutsmom99]

You all would still stay at the hotel by the airport even though it is Christmas day?

I would especially considering that it is 2 hours away. Like someone else mentioned the hotel most likely won't be packed and it will make the morning that much easier. I would just plan on having most of my stuff packed up well ahead of Christmas day so I only had to toss the few extra items in my luggage and then leave home once I was finished with whatever Christmas activites I had planned.

 

[PlutoPony]

Would recommend eating your evening meal before you go however.... you're not likely to find much open in the way of restaurants on Christmas Day. We fly into Columbus once a year or so and there are several motels right there by the airport. Check the Port Columbus website and I'm sure they'll be listed. You can probably get a package to park your car at the hotel while you're gone also, altho parking doesn't look bad at Columbus.

 

[karliebug]

go to parksleepfly.com . they will give you the names of hotels you can stay at and leave your vehicle while you are on vacation. It is often cheaper to spend the night before than it is to pay for airport parking. we have done this twice in Philadelphia. They shuttle you to the airport and back when you return and your car is kept in a safe area while you are away.

 

[antmaril]

You all would still stay at the hotel by the airport even though it is Christmas day?

Yes, I would stay at the hotel and arrive the evening of Christmas Day. As someone else advised, choose a hotel that allows you to cancel up to 6:00 on the day of arrival to give you some flexibility.

I would not want to drive two hours prior to an early morning flight. You won't sleep a wink and what if the weather is nasty? I would DEFINITELY stay at the hotel the night before even if it's Christmas Day.

 

[PortieOwner]

I would reserve the room in case the weather is going to be bad, but if the day arrives and the weather is okay, just get up at 330am and drive to the airport. At that time of the night the roads are empty and you can drive fast. I've done this before for 7am flights out of Philly. Also for an early morning flight you don't absolutely have to be there 2 hours ahead. It is a good idea in case something happens or security is screwed up, but an hour or so may be enough lead time.

Besides isn't Cincy to Columbus more like 100 miles (go Buckeyes! beat Michigan!).

Portie

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I am 20 years old and will be traveling with my sister and my cousin (both 15), so I am technically the adult in this situaiton! This definitely puts a lot of responsibility on me and I have NEVER flown anywhere without my parents. So, this is all going to be stressful to me so I think staying at the airport is the answer.

Our extended family always comes to our house for Christmas day for a big dinner. I think we'll just make it a brunch this year instead. That way we can have brunch, everyone will leave, and all we will have to do is clean up the house. I'll make sure to have everything packed on the 24th. I think this will be a lot less stressful for me than trying to get 2 15 year old girls up and to an airport at 3am...teenagers don't move quickly!

Also, maybe this is a silly question, but you only have to be 18 to get a hotel room, right? I know this is the case with Disney, but just wasn't sure if it applied everywhere. Also, my parents are AAA members. I live with them and are covered by their insurance, am I eligible for a AAA rate at a hotel? Thanks!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I would reserve the room in case the weather is going to be bad, but if the day arrives and the weather is okay, just get up at 330am and drive to the airport. At that time of the night the roads are empty and you can drive fast. I've done this before for 7am flights out of Philly. Also for an early morning flight you don't absolutely have to be there 2 hours ahead. It is a good idea in case something happens or security is screwed up, but an hour or so may be enough lead time.

Besides isn't Cincy to Columbus more like 100 miles (go Buckeyes! beat Michigan!).

Portie

Mapquest says it'll take me an hour and 40 minutes, I was rounding up, I drive slow when I don't know where I'm going!

 

[PlutoPony]

The Columbus Airport is easy to find with decent signage on the interstates going to it. The hotels are RIGHT THERE on the one (and only) road leading to the airport - within sight of the parking garage so you can't miss them. I think you'll be fine going the night before and much less stressed if weather is a factor at all. Driving at 4 a.m. on slippery or snowy roads isn't a great way to start a vacation!
Good luck and have a great time!!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

We live in the Findlay area (45 miles or so south of Toledo) We have used the Columbus airport on our 1st family Disney family trip. We stayed the night. We did not make reservations, we just showed up at about 8:00 p.m. We, too were new to flying. I would not mind staying overnight during Christmas becauase it would be exciting knowing where you are going the next day.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I second the look into the park-the-car-at-the-hotel route. We have friends who do this in Chicago--staying at the hotel hardly costs much more than long term parking would have cost. Plus, these hotels usually have an airport shuttle (check operatin time in advance since your flight is so early in the morning!), which will leave you and all your luggage off right where you need to be--no hassles.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I second the look into the park-the-car-at-the-hotel route. We have friends who do this in Chicago--staying at the hotel hardly costs much more than long term parking would have cost. Plus, these hotels usually have an airport shuttle (check operatin time in advance since your flight is so early in the morning!), which will leave you and all your luggage off right where you need to be--no hassles.

That's a good point that it would probably cost as much to park the car long term. We will be in Disney for 2 weeks so the parking will be a lot. I will look into that further.