Which would you do??

[debden]

I have two choices for cheaper airfare(that's $117 less per ticket): Drive 3 1/2 hours each way and take a non-stop flight out to our destination OR
take a flight out of our local airport that has 2 (two) Stops each way?? And that will only save us $58 per ticket....
That's a tough one for me.I think both are inconvenient.
What would you do??
Thanks for any input.
Debbie

 

[sue1013]

I agree both are inconvenient. To me it would depend how many tickets you need to purchase. If the savings would be appr. $200 I wouldn't drive 7 hrs but if it was $500 then maybe.

 

[Bichon Barb]

I agree with Sue. And it would depend on how early your flights are. This past summer we drove 2.5 hours from SYR to BUF to take SWA to Chicago for a wedding. But, there were six of us (including my parents), and it was a direct flight that left around noon. If it was an early flight, I don't think it would be worth getting up at 3:00 in the morning.

I guess there are a lot of factors to consider including:

- How many tickets
- Time of flights
- Gas costs
- Parking costs
- Possibility of running into traffic on the drive

 

[robinb]

Does your $58 savings include paying for parking at the airport? We have friends who drive us to/from the Madison airport while we have to pay to park when we fly out of Milwaukee.

ETA: I'm confused. Is the 2-stop flight cheaper or is the 3 1/2 hour drive cheaper?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Drive 3 1/2 hours each way and take a non-stop flight out to our destination OR
take a flight out of our local airport that has 2 (two) Stops each way?? And that will only save us $58 per ticket....

Personally, I think driving SEVEN hours to save a few bucks is crazy. Taking into account gas, parking and wear and tear on your vehicle, I'll bet you won't save much at all.

 

[Kies99]

I have two choices for cheaper airfare(that's $117 less per ticket): Drive 3 1/2 hours each way and take a non-stop flight out to our destination OR
take a flight out of our local airport that has 2 (two) Stops each way?? And that will only save us $58 per ticket....
That's a tough one for me.I think both are inconvenient.
What would you do??
Thanks for any input.
Debbie

Like other posters have said, it really depends on the number of tickets.

If it's two tickets, it's probably not worth it. If it's 4 or more tickets, it's probably worth looking into.

If it is 4 or more, you then need to decide on the factors such as what time the flights are and how much is parking. Cost of gas, I'd only figure in one full tank. You'll need a full tank to get there and one back (give or take) and since you need to keep your car filled anyway, you'd just be adding one extra fill up.

A suggestion I have is to look into hotels at the 3.5 hour drive. You may be able to get a cheap hotel that will let you leave your car there free for a week. I did this once when flying from Cleveland to California. I live in Pittsburgh and drove the two hours to Cleaveland the night before, got a cheap room (less than $75) and was able to leave my car there for a week free of charge. Had transportation to and from the airport.

If it was me and I was saving on 4 tickets, it would be worth the drive. $100 or so would go towards parking/gas and I'd have savings of $300 plus a direct flight. That would then depend on the flight times. Leaving I'd go as early as possible and wouldn't bother me. Coming back, I wouldn't want a flight that was to late.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Me? I do not like to fly. So to stop twice would make me nervous 2 extra times - each way. And that does not make it an enjoyable trip. I would rather drive the night before, stay at a hotel with a drive/fly deal and take off for a nonstop. (Which is what we are doing this year out of Detroit.) Plus, the kids like the hotel stay the night before. It adds to the vacation - adds to cost too.

Good luck in your decision. Neither options are ideal....

 

[debden]

I agree both are inconvenient. To me it would depend how many tickets you need to purchase. If the savings would be appr. $200 I wouldn't drive 7 hrs but if it was $500 then maybe.

Sue we would be purchasing 2 tickets.It would save us $234 to drive the 3 1/2 hours.
Debbie

 

[debden]

I agree with Sue. And it would depend on how early your flights are. This past summer we drove 2.5 hours from SYR to BUF to take SWA to Chicago for a wedding. But, there were six of us (including my parents), and it was a direct flight that left around noon. If it was an early flight, I don't think it would be worth getting up at 3:00 in the morning.

I guess there are a lot of factors to consider including:

- How many tickets
- Time of flights
- Gas costs
- Parking costs
- Possibility of running into traffic on the drive

Hey Bichon Barb (cute name by the way!).There are only two of us flying.The flight does not leave out until 2:40pm and since we would be doing two one-way rentals there would be no parking fees involved.I already deducted the rentals and gas from our savings.It would have been a savings of over $200 per person if we could take our own car.Since we would be leaving out at 6am Sunday morning I don't think traffic would be an issue but coming back Thurday afternoon at 1:30pm will probably be alot busier time.
I know there are alot of factors to consider and just for the convenience it's better to fly out of your own airport.
Debbie

 

[debden]

Does your $58 savings include paying for parking at the airport? We have friends who drive us to/from the Madison airport while we have to pay to park when we fly out of Milwaukee.

ETA: I'm confused. Is the 2-stop flight cheaper or is the 3 1/2 hour drive cheaper?

Hi Robin,Yes we have friends that can drive us to our local airport.So there's no paying for parking.Sorry for the confusion.The 3 1/2 hour drive flight is cheaper.
Debbie

 

[Kies99]

Hey Bichon Barb (cute name by the way!).There are only two of us flying.The flight does not leave out until 2:40pm and since we would be doing two one-way rentals there would be no parking fees involved.I already deducted the rentals and gas from our savings.It would have been a savings of over $200 per person if we could take our own car.Since we would be leaving out at 6am Sunday morning I don't think traffic would be an issue but coming back Thurday afternoon at 1:30pm will probably be alot busier time.
I know there are alot of factors to consider and just for the convenience it's better to fly out of your own airport.
Debbie

If you've already factored in rentals and gas, then saving $234 by doing this is worth it to me.

 

[debden]

If you've already factored in rentals and gas, then saving $234 by doing this is worth it to me.

Yeah I just spoke with my friend I'm travelling with and they also prefer the longer drive to the two stop overs to and fro.
I'm hoping the costs of the rental car comes down some more before we leave.Then it'll make it even more worth the drive.
Thanks.
Debbie