Which flight/route would you choose

[Dream bigger]

I am undecided on which route to take. Both of these choices are coming up at the same price, same airline. They leave Heathrow at roughly the same time and land back to Heathrow roughly the same time.

LHR-ORD-TPA - Arriving at TPA at 7pm
TPA - MIA - LHR - Departs TPA 5:30pm Includes a 4 hour layover in MIA


LHR - MIA - Direct flight arriving MIA 3pm
MIA - LHR - Departs MIA 10:40pm

The second option obviously includes a much longer drive.

Second option means we will get an extra 1/2 day in the park on leaving day.

Second option is a direct flight, although I have no problems with going indirect.

1st option includes a 4 hour layover on way back which is off putting.

Either option I will just car hire for the day of travel each way as I am staying onsite and think the added expense of parking is an unnecessary expense - happy to be proved otherwise.

[macadoo]

Neither would really appeal but if I had to choose one it would be the Tampa flight to avoid the drive to and from Miami. I’d rather go indirect and not have the long drive.

Are there no other options for the return to avoid the long Miami connection? Jfk maybe?

[Pottery]

Driving to Miami is over 4 hrs. plus the cost of the Hire car. So not sure how much you will cram in on leaving day, as you need to be there Iirc 3 hours before the flight. Going to Tampa means you are there and don't face a four hour plus drive after your flight.

[Minniemagoo]

The second one. We went indirect via ORD last time and its just such a long flight to then have to transfer and get on another flight.

[lizzie145]

Are those the only 2 options for you?

[Dream bigger]

No, they aren't the only options available, but they are the options that I am happiest with the price.

[braby]

For me it would be the first option, drove up from FLL this year and the drive was quite hard to do. Driving at night whilst tired wasn’t great.
At least arriving into TPA your a domestic passenger so will clear through quickly.

[Hodders]

How much have you been quote and who by?

[Dream bigger]

Flights are with BA. Price is £1,165 for 1A and 3C over May half term.

This doesn’t include baggage as I would add 2 x baggage on after and also doesn’t include seat selection as I am 95% sure BA would seat us together.

[mouskevik]

We just did LHR to MIA and we added a day either side of the holiday to reduce the flight price and allow driving time. The drive was actually ok, if a bit dull but you can break it up by visiting places.

We have 3 teenagers and despite only being able to check in online 24 hours out, we were all sat together both flights.