Pros and cons of using Miami airport

[dave]

Used Miami twice before. Saving for us this year for 3 of us is around £1100. Got a hotel booked 1 night either end of holiday. Both free this year with points but still a big saving if we’d paid. Don’t mind the drive either.

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by Warkman58

If you don’t want the faff, why not book a MIA-MCO flight? Plenty out there

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We did this a few times. Simply booked London to MCO VIA Miami. The Miami flights being from Heathrow instead of Gatwick was much better for us as well. More recently we have simply gone via any number of intermediate airports.

If you want to get to Tampa simply look for any indirect flights. Changing planes is alot easier than a long boring drive from Miami.

[mooray27]

We flew in and out of Miami in 2017 and hated it. The plane was delayed by several hours. No big deal, these things happen. However considering the size of the place there was very little to do in terms of eating or shopping while we we were stuck there. The worst thing was the staff. They were utterly miserable, clearly did not want to be there and made no effort to hide it. When we eventually boarded they kept having to unseal and open the doors because the airport staff had forgetten to load some peoples’s duty free. I’ve never seen cabin crew so cross, it was awful.

That said, if the money was right, I’d do it again... would have to be talking a great deal though.

[dixonsontour]

We’ve done it twice in 2017 and 2018 with BA. Flights were £300 each for August school hol dates, so a massive saving. Would do again for the right price.

[pompeyboy]

Originally Posted by DonnaD

We did this a few times. Simply booked London to MCO VIA Miami. The Miami flights being from Heathrow instead of Gatwick was much better for us as well. More recently we have simply gone via any number of intermediate airports.

If you want to get to Tampa simply look for any indirect flights. Changing planes is alot easier than a long boring drive from Miami.

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I'm happy to go indirect but would be wary in winter months. We have been twice in Feb and both times Boston/New York/DC, Chicago and probably more have been snowbound with many flights cancelled from there.

We flew to Miami this Feb and as you say it is a pretty boring drive, especially in the dark but I would do it again to save the £1,000 or so for our party of 3.

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by pompeyboy

I'm happy to go indirect but would be wary in winter months. We have been twice in Feb and both times Boston/New York/DC, Chicago and probably more have been snowbound with many flights cancelled from there.

We flew to Miami this Feb and as you say it is a pretty boring drive, especially in the dark but I would do it again to save the £1,000 or so for our party of 3.

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Agreed, we do avoid northern airports in the winter.

[Donnalou36]

We have just returned by doing this route. I’d say it’s worth the savings. The dive up was fine. We stayed overnight before hand and hit the road early and went to Hollywood studios by 1pm. The drive back was slightly more tedious but in hindsight was well worth the saving. The car selection was much better than at MCO also. HTH.

[MrIncredible]

I've done it and would never do it again. The relatively small saving did not make up for the hideous drive up and the hell that is the roads surrounding Miami airport on the way back.

Having said that, if it was a choice between flying to Miami and not going at all then I'd grit my teeth and do it.

[dixonsontour]

Miami traffic worth thinking about. Both times we have flown home Sunday so drive back very quiet on turnpike and Miami not busy. First time we flew in on a Sunday I think and again very quiet. Last time we arrived Friday evening rush hour and it was awful leaving Miami. Dh has driven probably 30 plus holidays in USA so was ok but it wasn’t for inexperienced drivers.

[lexie32]

Originally Posted by dixonsontour

Miami traffic worth thinking about. Both times we have flown home Sunday so drive back very quiet on turnpike and Miami not busy. First time we flew in on a Sunday I think and again very quiet. Last time we arrived Friday evening rush hour and it was awful leaving Miami. Do has driven probably 30 plus holidays in USA so was ok but it wasn’t for inexperienced drivers.

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Thanks for this, we are flying in on a Friday and made the decision to stay overnight before the drive- so I wasn’t worried about the drive to Orlando as we will be doing it very early in the morning, but I was more concerned about the way back so I’m glad to hear it’s quoeter on a Sunday!