Orlando to Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

[1lovehols]

I'm hoping some local peeps may be able to tell me the easiest way to get from A: Orlando to B: Fort Lauderdale.

 

We've not yet booked the cruise as I want to suss out the easiest routes & layovers possible. But see that virgin fly manchester(uk) to Orlando.

 

I see that spirit airways fly mco to fll. So thinking thats an easy way round connections.

 

But then I've searched on here & have read about the train & driving. Now if we drive it kinda defeats us doing manc-Orlando as we coud do heathrow to Miami & drive here but my husbands the main driver so trying to give hima rest, plus he or me have never driven abroad.

 

So my question is is spirit air ok & what can we do/stay in Orlando pre/post cruise for 1 night only.

 

I do want to stay in Miami/fort 1night before cruise too & am looking also at doing Miami in 24hrs trips too.

 

Last time we came Miami we opt'd to come via new York so didn't see Miami at all.

 

Thanks all in advance for any help or tips.

[JohninDC]

Is there a big price difference between your two options? :confused:

 

It is a 3.5 hour drive from the MCO area to the FLL area. You can do the drive much cheaper than flying and will likely arrive about the time your Orlando flight would take off.

 

From Miami to the FLL area is a 30-45 minute drive, or you could just stay at an MIA area hotel with free shuttles and then use the cruise transfers, a shuttle service or a car company (Larry's Limos has been suggested for Miami service - figure about $85).

 

Spirit is okay for a flight of under an hour - look at the checked bag fees when pricing tickets. :eek:

 

Lots to see and do in the Orlando area - theme parks, dining, shopping, or just relaxing around the hotel pool.

 

Miami Beach, especially South Beach, can be fun, wild and crazy - if that is what you were looking for. Parking fees at all hotels and most places can add up fast. :o

 

Good luck! :)

[1lovehols]

Thanks or your reply, I'll def look at the price for checked bags on spirit.

 

Prices to compare are hard at the mo answer are looking at a nov 12 cruise & flights not yet out.

 

Ta again.

[Oviedo32765]

<snip> plus he or me have never driven abroad. </snip>

 

Remember, we drive on the wrong side of the road! :D

[1lovehols]

Remember, we drive on the wrong side of the road! :D

 

I know, scary stuff.

[swigso]

Hi,

We have done this many times but for last year and this year I have

opted to fly Heathrow to Miami and then after the cruise pick up the car

and take a few days to either stay around South Florida

(Ft Lauderdale/Miami Area) and then drive upto Orlando and fly

direct back to Manchester.

We flew last year with BA to Heathrow and stayed

overnight before our Miami Flight, this year we may well take the train

My mail is Blueinns@msn.com and I would gladly give you my thoughts if

you need any further info.

[1lovehols]

Hi,

We have done this many times but for last year and this year I have

opted to fly Heathrow to Miami and then after the cruise pick up the car

and take a few days to either stay around South Florida

(Ft Lauderdale/Miami Area) and then drive upto Orlando and fly

direct back to Manchester.

We flew last year with BA to Heathrow and stayed

overnight before our Miami Flight, this year we may well take the train

My mail is Blueinns@msn.com and I would gladly give you my thoughts if

you need any further info.

 

Thank you, for your offer. Once we know when the flight become available I'll def look at the options & contact you.

 

Thanks again ( from across the penines in Yorkshire)

[swigso]

Hi

The drive takes about 4 hours but I am finding it to be a bit of

a drag so have opted to do the travel to Heathrow so I can

get into relax mode as soon as we land in Miami.

If you do rent a car check out Hertz as they have a drop off

on 1st Street right near to the port. I usually drop off my wife

and the luggage at the ship and take the car back so we dont have to

struggle with the luggage on the shuttle.

The drive back to Orlando after the cruise is not a problem.

We book Premium Economy with Virgin it is a great service

and on the flight from Orlando you can check the luggage

at downtown Disney on the day of departure so that you

don't have to worry about check in at the airport.

Also if you fly back on a Saturday or A Wednesday I think

the late flight is a 747 and the Premium Economy is upstairs

in the Bubble.

[1lovehols]

Thanks so much. Ooh my hubby would love to be upstairs on the bubble.

 

Once flights avail I'll do the costings & see best way. I kinda do want to see Orlando so I'll prob via that way.

[umieesa]

We were also thinking of the best way to get from Orlando to Ft Lauderdale. I just saw that Amtrak also does this route, plus they have a sale going on until the 6th. You can also combine the sale fare with a AAA/CAA discount to bring the price down even further. Not sure if there is a AAA equivalent in the UK that you could use? For my family of 4 it came to 97 dollars after tax, so definitely cheaper than a car rental + gas. Plus you can sit back and relax and let someone else take care of the driving ;)