Miami before orlando

[Mental Minnie]

I have a couple of questions, so please bare with me and I would appreciate if anyone can help me with them.

We are about to book our flights and are contemplating flying into Miami first and staying for two nights and then driving down to Orlando.

Q1. What hotel would you recommend, that is close to beach, an easy drive from airport and not silly prices?

Q2. Can I pick up a hire car in Miami and leave it back in Orlando?

Q3. Is the area safe to walk about for shopping and food?

Q4. My son (19 on trip) would love to get a tattoo in Miami. Would this be advisable on holiday? where would you recommend? Is 19 a legal age to get a tattoo in USA or do you have to be 21?

Q5. Is the drive to Orlando pretty straight forward? I read that its roughly 3 and a half hours, is that right?

Sorry if the above sound stupid, it makes sense in my head, I think!

Thanks in advance.

[NewtoOrlando]

We flew in and out of Miami last summer and stayed at the Hilton Miami airport which was a 5 min drive away, we had no intention of seeing Miami to be honest, it was just a very good fly drive deal so couldn't say no! Hotel was lovely, rooms clean and comfy, kids enjoyed using the pool. We hired a car and stayed overnight, drove up to Orlando the next days stopping at very beach along the way. I think we left Miami at about 8/9am and got to Orlando at 3, it took that long because we stopped at Vero for a good few hours and it took an age to get out of Miami itself. It's about a 3.5-4hr drive if doing a straight run, we used the turnpike and had no traffic at all, other than the initial but getting out of Miami. Would happily do it again next summer if the price was right.

Can't help you on the other bits though so hopefully someone will come along who can!

[floridagirl747]

We are flying into Miami and then staying at The L Hotel - just one block from Miami South Beach. Driving to Orlando the next day. Decision was down to flydrive price tbh. xx

[Mental Minnie]

Originally Posted by NewtoOrlando

We flew in and out of Miami last summer and stayed at the Hilton Miami airport which was a 5 min drive away, we had no intention of seeing Miami to be honest, it was just a very good fly drive deal so couldn't say no! Hotel was lovely, rooms clean and comfy, kids enjoyed using the pool. We hired a car and stayed overnight, drove up to Orlando the next days stopping at very beach along the way. I think we left Miami at about 8/9am and got to Orlando at 3, it took that long because we stopped at Vero for a good few hours and it took an age to get out of Miami itself. It's about a 3.5-4hr drive if doing a straight run, we used the turnpike and had no traffic at all, other than the initial but getting out of Miami. Would happily do it again next summer if the price was right.

Can't help you on the other bits though so hopefully someone will come along who can!

See more...

Thanks for that. We will be flying in and out of Dublin and the prices actually work out the same. That's why we thought it would be nice to see Miami but not have to drive back.

[Mental Minnie]

Originally Posted by floridagirl747

We are flying into Miami and then staying at The L Hotel - just one block from Miami South Beach. Driving to Orlando the next day. Decision was down to flydrive price tbh. xx

See more...

Ill look that hotel up now. The prices are the same for us, as we fly out of Dublin. We just thought it would be a chance to see Miami. Well a tiny tiny bit of it. lol

[Robblps]

No idea with the tattoo question but... they have a tattoo parlour in City Walk if that helps. I'm looking at getting mine done there in September

[Robblps]

Also we stayed in the Hotel Astor when we stayed in Miami, parking was expensive but everywhere is like that in Miami, the hotel was walking distance to the beach too. Have a look on google maps if you are interested

[COL41]

We spent four nights at South Beach before going to Orlando, but drove back for our return flight so can't advise re the car. We stayed at The Savoy which backed onto the beach. A bit dated in places but lovely clean hotel with a very spacious family room. We only walked along Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive area which felt perfectly safe during the day and early evening when we were out. We thought it was a brilliant experience spending a lot of time people watching. We're planning to stay there again this year, but haven't decided 100% on hotels yet, although we have looked at the Pestana which is quite reasonable and has good reviews

[Mental Minnie]

Originally Posted by Robblps

No idea with the tattoo question but... they have a tattoo parlour in City Walk if that helps. I'm looking at getting mine done there in September

See more...

Is that City Walk Universal?

[Robblps]

yeah, that's in City Walk in Universal