Best airport during the summer months??
 

Hi everyone,

I will be planning to make a lifestyle visiting during the summer months (June-Sep). Which is the better airport to fly into at that time - Tampa or Orlando?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

We use Orlando since it's a shorter drive. I've heard good things about Tampa Airport and if you'll be in the southern part of TV, the time distance might be less. We get to MCO in an hour and a half.
Hope you enjoy your visit.

What about Sanford is that an option for you? MCO (Orlando) is fine as I fly in and out a couple times a month. BTW, why Tampa?

I'm not sure if Sanford is available flying commercial from NYC (Laguardia or JFK).

I thought that Tampa and Orlando were the two choices available.

Sanford and St Pete have Allegent, they may not fly every day.

Tampa is a 15 min longer drive, nicer facility and you avoid the Disney families.

JetBlue into MCO terminal C is our first choice from NY when available.

Pick the one that provides the best flight options for wherever you are coming from. Orlando is a little bit closer if the flight options are a wash.

I would definitely choose Tampa over MCO. It's a few minutes longer but the airport is much more navigable, the traffic and construction isn't near as bad on 75, and there aren't tolls.

If you’re looking to take the Groome Shuttle then Tampa isn’t an option.

We fly out of Bradley International Airport from up north and there aren’t any direct flights available to Stanford, so it’s not an option. We would consider Tampa as an alternative to Orlando if Groome offered a shuttle service from Tampa, which they currently don’t (at least to the more northern parts of the Villages). I would be great to have another option so we didn’t have to deal with all the kids wearing mouse ears and kicking the back of our seats. We are kind of stuck flying either Southwest or JetBlue to MCO since we want direct flights and a decent shuttle service.

We'd use Orlando, all though flying anywhere is no longer fun. We find the traffic to and from TPA miserable. Above all, allow plenty of time, things happen.

Either is fine for your lifestyle visit. Others have told you Tampa is a bit further but not a bad drive at all. Choose whichever offers the flights you prefer.

We fly a lot and I always check both Orlando and Tampa. Whichever one has the best flight in terms of time and money we use that one. Orlando is a few minutes closer but Tampa is so much easier to get to and a lot easier to navigate.

I have only used Tampa once, but for convenience I would use MCO and the Groome bus to get to The Villages. Not relevant if you think you'll need a rental car to get around (although renting a golf cart once you are in TV is much more fun).

Groome now goes to Tampa.

Groome Transportation is proud to announce our expanded service that now includes the Tampa International Airport (TPA)! Our convenient stop locations in the Villages®

Groome Transportation is proud to announce our expanded service that now includes the Tampa International Airport (TPA)! Our convenient stop locations in the Villages®

MCO Orlando by far. The Villages also offers a Shuttle, called. Groome Transportation. Check it out online. Been using their service for 20 years.

They should make a horror airport movie about the " families" that arrive, depart and make the plane trips miserable out of mco. Tampa airport 1000% and dont give ;::'""; about $$$. Or ⏰.

We live south of 44 and even though Tampa is slightly further, we prefer it. Much less busy than Orlando with all the theme park vacationers. We also shop prices and usually get a better price flying into Tampa.

Not true, Groome does Tampa.

Not sure where you are flying from and if nonstop is a big issue for you but here are our experiences (keep in mind I still fly a lot for work).

There is no good day, time or season for Orlando. It is a crowded mess all the time. I firmly believe MCO and its crowds are why there are bars in airports.

Tampa is pretty good. But if you are coming or going during Tampas rush hour it can be very congested. Their road system is not as planned out as Orlando. But if you are at off hours it’s a much nicer airport experience. Rental cars are a short tram ride away not adjacent to the terminal.

If you have a connection to get to Florida anyway or don’t mind a connection Gainesville airport is a nice alternative. Not too many flights but it’s never crowded and it’s only an hour to TV.

Have never used Sanford.

Hope this helps.

We started using Tampa last year. 15 minutes longer but no planes full of kids going to Disney, airport is really nice and easy to get around and the traffic is better since there is little construction. Gets a little congested as you come into Tampa depending what time your flight is.

Groome started servicing Tampa this year. However we have a private driver who takes us door to door. He prefers Tampa.

Also flights are cheaper than MCO in and out of Tampa.

[QUOTE=tophcfa;2447335]If you’re looking to take the Groome Shuttle then Tampa isn’t an option.
I believe it now is an option

Groom does now have transportation available to and from Tampa airport from The Villages. Check on their website.

Ground stops
 

Summertime afternoon flights to Florida are often delayed due to ground stops from lightning. Whichever airport you choose, try for an earlier arrival or be prepared to wait.

Daytona also has a commercial airport.

We used Tampa quite often over Orlando because at the time , the flight schedules suited us better…

Here's your options -

TPA = 1 hr 30min 86 miles, BUT it's all on US75 which is less busy, less accident prone, and definitely wider than 91 (FL turnpike) TPA is a much easier airport to navigate and an added bonus - rarely ever any Disney traffic.

MCO = 1hr 7min 53"ish" miles (hang on for why), it's all turnpike and then the 528. While the 528 is pretty good, getting to it can change in seconds from possible to over an hour in a turnpike parking lot (note "ish" miles for work arounds if you are lucky) MCO basics - design is not the greatest, not usually efficient, and most of all it is LOADED with Disney traffic.

SFB = 1 hr 12min 52.6 miles, all 'backroad hwy" it's a nothing airport only allegiant air which has a flaky schedule some days it's there some not. pretty much a hassle any way you look at it. not worth consideration. What people usually don't look at is just like Frontier or Spirit, they are actually not cost effective in comparison to major airlines, once you take ticket, plus seats, plus bags, etc they have been more expensive in some routes.

All in all while it's a bit extra in miles we use TPA only, I spent 25 years in the air and when we lived on the Space Coast I avoided it all with MLB but I can't recommend that here because that's over 2 hours away from TV. but it's the easiest in Central FL.

Good luck.

Tampa is about 15 minutes longer than MCO, but it has won multiple awards on how nice the airport is. I fly out of both and really it just depends on the schedule and price. I have also used shuttle services to both airports. Many complain about the kids coming to Disney/Universal via MCO but I have never had any issues, and I travel a fair bit. So, I would just look at the schedules and pick a schedule which works for you.

Distance from TV for both airports is about the same--TPA a few minutes longer but fewer traffic hassles so IMO that criterion is a push.

Problem w/MCO for the time-period mentioned is that 1) Orlando is Kid Central; and 2) school is out during the summer. Not a problem if you like noisy rambunctious kids, otherwise a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones and a supply of tunes is a must.

Compare flight schedules, and prices for tickets and rental cars, for your specific dates.
Rates vary wildly depending on what’s going on in Disney or Tampa.
At times I’ve flown into Orlando when going to Tampa, and I’ve flown into Tampa when going to Orlando. It’s all situational.
All things equal, I prefer Tampa. But things are rarely equal.

Best Price
 

Hi everyone,

I will be planning to make a lifestyle visiting during the summer months (June-Sep). Which is the better airport to fly into at that time - Tampa or Orlando?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Both are good airports but a bit longer from Tampa to TV. Check prices into both. They can vary substantially. Traffic to MCO from TV has been awful due to construction on the Florida TPK. I-75 from Tampa is usually open and moves quickly. Enjoy your visit! Watch out or you may buy a home like we did 10 years ago on our visit!

Orlando airport has hour and 1/2 bus service to villages, plus it closer to villages. I read where they was going to start service to Tampa airport, but have no other information? Stanford not quick trip to villages but, they have more non stop fights to and from off routes. If plan on renting car at airport Orlando easiest to and from villages. Tampa further and more traffic, Stanford kind of close but no direct route by interstate. Either got to cross country or down to Orlando and up to Stanford which takes through heavy traffic on 408 and I4 north.

Thanks to everyone that pointed out Groome now offers the shuttle between Tampa and the Villages, that wasn’t available last time I booked a trip. It’s great to have options, will be checking that out versus Orlando in the future. One question, I have heard the traffic to/from Tampa can be a hassle. Are there certain times Tampa should be avoided?

I would highly recommend Groome to and from the airport of your choosing. I believe a lifestyle visit still includes 2 bicycles and a golf cart. This is a great way to get to know what is like to live here. You can easily stay a week and never need a car, and if you do feel the need, use uber or Lyft for a one or two off trips. Have fun

Actually, I hear on the radio there is a shuttle from TV to TPA now!

Groome now offers service to Tampa

I live near Eastport and fly multiple times per month for work. MCO is my first choice with TPA being my second. MCO is about an hour from me and TPA 1.5. There are traffic risks for both of them. For Orlando, try not to fly and land during morning or after work traffic, and the same goes for Tampa. Other than that, pick your best flight options and prices. Both airports are fairly easy to navigate. Good luck.

I live near Eastport and fly multiple times per month for work. MCO is my first choice with TPA being my second. MCO is about an hour from me and TPA 1.5. There are traffic risks for both of them. For Orlando, try not to fly and land during morning or after work traffic, and the same goes for Tampa. Other than that, pick your best flight options and prices. Both airports are fairly easy to navigate. Good luck.

Orlando

Orlando is a nightmare. Inside with people and outside with cars …….