[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by rjorem

Can I hire a driver to bring me to the Villages from the Orlando airport?

Sure you can if you have the Uber or Lyft app.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by kp11364

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!

Depends where you are coming from. We prefer Sanford, easier to manage but only availailable from select airports.

[bmcgowan13]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

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?

Another nice thing I happened upon about Sanford (PARTICULARLY during the summer months-afternoons) is Sanford has MUCH less runway traffic. SFM is not affected by the summer thunderstorm traffic backup like Orlando.

When the 4PM afternoon T-storm closes the jet routes in the Orlando area for 40-60 minutes--that backup dominoes into hour delays for every flight arriving after 4PM. Orlando has an arrival rate of about 150 aircraft per hour. That is a lot of backup.

Sanford has much less traffic--so much less the FAA has not even establish a landing cap for SFM.

My wife and I were at RDU waiting for a 5PM departure to Sanford. There was a flight leaving for MCO at the next gate that was supposed to take off at the same time. They made an announcement that the MCO flight was delayed until 7PM for thunderstorms. I thought we would be delayed also and was amazed to hear "Now boarding Allegient for Orlando at Gate 12."

Our light took off on time--I tracked the MCO flight when I got home and it did not arrive until over two hours later.

[PugMom]

Tampa for sure. yes, it's farther, but much less a ----show than Orlando. the airport is a tad smaller so is easier to get around, and no screaming kids looking for Disneyland. i've done both airports multiple times and always use Tampa

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

We fly out of Bradley International Airport from up north. We are kind of stuck flying either Southwest or JetBlue to MCO since we want direct flights and a decent shuttle service.

CoachK and her friends use the Worcester ORC airport is very easy to get in and out of, just one flight a day for Jet Blue to MCO, and cheap, using terminal C, easy in easy out, for New Englanders. MCO Terminal C is a shuttle back to the rental cars though

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

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?

Sanford is great if you fly Allegiant.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

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.

Live in the SS area. Tampa is 25 miles longer and you need to drive entire length of the city. As much as we hate the Disney crowd MCO is better for us. 65 miles gate to door

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by kp11364

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!

Gainesville

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

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).

Rent a car. If you are using Lifestyle visit as a prelude to making a decision to buy here, you want an option to explore the area. The Villages is a great place to live but there is life outside of the bubble.