Internal Flights to Miami

[Lisa1976]

We are off to WDW in January and i am thinking of surprising the hubby with a couple of nights in Miami, he has always wanted to go but we have never taken the plunge.

Firstly do you think this is a good idea?? And secondly can we get cheapy internal flights from Orlando to Miami?? And lastly hotels, what area would we stay in, I have heard that Miami can be quite scary if you don't stay in the right touristy areas.

Any help would be really great.

Thanks
Lisa

[JuniorMickey]

For a flight from Orlando to MIA, look at someone like Southwest (very no frills, but we're talking about a 40 minute flight) for the best deals.

As far as where to stay, well I generally don't go down to Miami often, but you can't go wrong with South Beach or North Miami Beach. Further north is Aventura but if you're going to do that, you'd be better off flying into FLL instead of MIA.

[Mermaid]

We flew into Miami but didn't get a chance to stay there....don't forget another advantage you can fly to Miami from LHR

[Breeze]

Lisa, could I ask why Miami and not some of the other coastal areas?

[WesD]

Bump! I wantd to know too... Lucy's Dad wants to see Miami but only for the day, would it be worth a flight (or even long drive) down there?

I don't think so, but he's kinda convinced it's a good idea. How much, roughly, would a cheap flight be? Can you get 1 day return flights? Is it worth a visit anyway?

Thanks in advance!

[OKWTink]

I love Miami. I usually drive down and when I hit that certain spot in the road and break over the little incline and see her, it's incredible. I love being right on Biscayne Bay.

There are surprisingly inexpensive hotels near the airport, but you'll have to take a taxi anywhere. If you stay right on Biscayne Bay (the Intercontinental is really nice) you can walk some places and many of those hotels have shuttles to South Beach, Cocanut Grove and the like.

One day drive? No way. You'd need at least a weekend to even begin to get a feel for Miami, even if only superficial.

You can also take a train into Miami. Someone I know does that from the Orlando area all the time. I've not ever done it, but often think I should look into it.

South Beach is "the" place for many people. Me? I far prefer Little Havana. It's got wicked character, great restaurants and wonderful little shops. I don't speak Spanish, but I've never had a problem there.

If you can, do visit Miami. It's well worth it.

[WesD]

Oh dear, thanks Tink... I hope he's not reading this tho!

He's got the only car and we need it when we're there!!!

:lol:

I guess we'll look into it for him then! Thank again Tink :thumbs:

[JuniorMickey]

Driving Orlando to Miami is about 4 hours easily. Could be longer if you hit traffic coming down. You can fly on a low cost carrier like Southwest for about $100 roundtrip.

[OKWTink]

The tolls for driving down are pretty high anymore too! I've never made it in just four hours, even though I've been zipping right along. I always hit traffic (except for the one time I came over from the west coast on Alligator Alley of course) and end up doing the bumper to bumper crawl. :sigh:

Flying is so much easier. :yes:

[JuniorMickey]

Tolls without a sunpass just on the Turnpike for me are almost $15 one way. Add gas prices and it is cheaper and easier to fly

[Mister E]

I agree with JM - flying is almost cheaper than driving the way gas prices are these days, not to mention faster and less stressful.

As far as where to stay, as long as you're someplace near the beach (why would you want to be anywhere else?) you'll be fine. Stay away from the suburbs, its a bit ghetto-ish. Downtown (Bayside, etc) is nice, and South Beach or Coconut Grove is good for night-time activities.

All-in-all, I'd recommend a trip, but devote at least a weekend to it to get the whole fill of the city.

[Lisa1976]

Breeze - its somewhere Hubby has always fancied and as this will probably be our last trip before kidlets thought I would treat him.

I did look on Southwest Airlines but they don't fly into Miami, or is the airport known as something else??