How to Find the Best Flights to Florida

Once you’ve decided you’re heading to Florida, flights are probably one of the first things you’ll start looking at.

Of course, you can book a package holiday through companies like TUI or Virgin Holidays, which can be a great option if you want everything organised for you. But if, like me, you prefer booking everything yourself, there are plenty of ways to shop around, save money and have more flexibility over your trip.

For me, flights are one of the biggest things that influence the cost of our holiday. I’ve found that moving our flights by just a few days can save hundreds of pounds, while hotel and theme park ticket prices don’t always change as dramatically.

Here are the things I always consider when booking our flights.

Don’t Just Search Orlando

If you’re visiting Disney or Universal, it can feel obvious that you need to fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO).

While MCO is the closest major airport to the theme parks and is a really convenient option, it’s not the only airport worth considering.

I always compare MCO with Melbourne Orlando International Airport, Tampa International Airport and, if the saving is significant or we’re planning a wider trip, Miami International Airport.

Obviously, you’ll need to factor in the extra driving time, fuel and tolls, but if the flight saving is big enough, it can be worth it.

Why We Prefer Melbourne

We’ve flown into both MCO and Melbourne, and personally, Melbourne is now our preferred option.

It’s around a 90-minute drive from Disney, so you’re adding some extra travel time, but we’ve found the airport much quicker and easier to get through.

After a long flight, especially with three children, I much prefer getting through the airport quickly and starting the holiday rather than spending ages waiting around.

We’ve also found car hire cheaper from Melbourne, so for us it’s been a bit of a win-win.

Obviously, I’d always compare the prices before booking, but don’t automatically rule Melbourne out just because it’s further away.

Consider Tampa Too

Tampa International Airport is another one worth checking.

It’s further from the Orlando theme parks, but you can sometimes find much cheaper flights.

If you’re planning to explore more of Florida during your trip, Tampa can make even more sense.

Just remember to look at the overall cost. Saving £300 on flights doesn’t mean you’ve saved £300 if the extra driving, fuel and car hire costs use most of that saving.

Be Flexible With Your Dates

This is probably my biggest tip when it comes to finding cheaper flights.

If you have some flexibility, search a few days either side of your preferred dates.

We’ve found that moving our flights by just a day or two can sometimes save hundreds, and this is why I tend to look at flights first and then build the rest of our holiday around them.

The price of your hotel and park tickets might not change much by moving your trip a couple of days, but flights can change dramatically.

When Should You Book?

Personally, I usually start seriously looking around 3-4 months before we travel.

There’s no guaranteed “best time” to book, as prices depend on the route, airline and time of year, but I like to start looking early so I know what a good price looks like.

I’d also keep an eye out for sales around Black Friday, Boxing Day, January and summer sales. You never know when a good deal might appear.

Check Other UK Airports

Don’t just search from your nearest airport.

Liverpool is our closest, so that’s always where I start, but I’ve seen some crazy cheap flights to Florida from airports like Newcastle and Gatwick, including flights with TUI.

Obviously, you need to factor in the cost of getting to the airport, parking or potentially staying overnight, but if the saving is big enough, it could still be worth it.

What About Connecting Flights?

Connecting flights can sometimes bring the price down significantly, so they’re another option if keeping costs as low as possible is your priority.

Personally, it’s not something we’d choose with the kids. I’d rather pay a little more for a direct flight than add another airport and another flight into the journey.

But if you’re happy with a longer journey, it’s definitely worth checking.

How Much Have We Paid?

For us, keeping the cost of flights down is a big priority. I know some people prefer to spend more for premium seating or extra comfort, but we’d rather keep our flights as cheap as possible and put that money towards the rest of the holiday.

We’ve never paid more than £580 per person for our flights to Florida.

Obviously, prices will vary depending on when you travel, but I think it shows why it’s worth shopping around rather than simply booking the first price you find.

How I Search For Flights

I usually start with Skyscanner, or check Tui direct and compare different dates and airports.

I’ll search our preferred UK airport to MCO, then compare it with Melbourne and Tampa. I’ll also check other UK airports if there’s a significant difference in price.

Before booking, I’d always check the total cost, including luggage, airport parking or transport, car hire, fuel and tolls.

The cheapest flight isn’t always the cheapest option once you’ve added everything up.

My Biggest Tip

Don’t decide on your airport before you’ve looked at the flights.

Compare MCO, Melbourne and Tampa, play around with your dates and check other UK departure airports too.

You might find that the airport you hadn’t even considered saves you hundreds – and for us, that’s exactly why Melbourne has become our favourite option.

If you’re looking to book everything yourself, I have shared breakdowns on everything you need to know before booking here!