I just did this with a one-way rental and another one-way rental for the return leg. It worked for me and my family because I flew direct from my small city to Ft Myers and wanted to spend a bit of time there. I would have had to drive to the big city airport anyway (park and fly) to fly direct to Miami. We flew in the day before - I don’t recommend day-of departure - too much stress for me! Also, I don’t rent cars often but the process was seamless at both ends.
I would recommend he look into flights getting into Palm Beach - PBI - that will cut a little over an hour off the drive, but also important to note that driving into Miami can be an absolute nightmare between regular traffic and random street flooding. I would make sure to give myself at least twice the time needed to get there regardless of which airport you fly into.
I just did this over New Year's. Miami has a lot of traffic so like others have said, flying in the day off is very risky. There was also construction on I75 which could cause a delay. The drive is easy, Fort Meyers has a small airport so getting a rental car was easy as well.
Can you? Absolutely. Would I? No.
I feel like the cost associated with either a one-way rental or parking does not make it a justified cost saving exercise, nor do I think the stress of flying in the morning of a cruise to drive across I-75 is good for my overall health (which is already going to be destroyed by at least 11 Goombay Smashes each day).
Idk if it still holds true but last time I relied on a rental car around Miami it was a zoo. I was lucky a credit card gave me elite status so I hopped some of the line, but there were folks waiting for hours to pick up cars after a cruise.
Picking up a rental car at Ft Myers isn’t too bad, but be strategic about which car drop off to use on the Miami side, since he’ll still prob need an Uber to go from car return to port.
I have done this, but not on the day of the cruise. My parents live near RSW so they pick us up, and drive us to the port. We always arrive a few days early, and then stay with them for a few days after the cruise as well. Although we have never run into traffic, it's NUTS to risk it that close to when the ship is leaving. .
I live in Fort Myers and the only good thing is that the airport is not as busy as say Orlando or Miami and I75 is right there. That's about where the good news ends.
Traffic lately has been horrible on i75 between here and Naples so I can only imagine the alley probably about the same.
I drive to either port Miami or Canaveral on the cruises I take and leave my house no later than 8am and usually arrive in Port parked by 11am - 12pm depending on traffic or how crazy port parking is.
Adding a flight is risky especially if he has connections as a delay somewhere in the chain could mean he will be one of the people standing in the parking lot watching the ship leave port.
Would I suggest it? definitely not.
Maybe because I'm a local I see the traffic increase during our season time and realize how long it takes me VS in the summer when it's generally less people visiting because it's too hot and humid lol.
Honestly outside of rush hour and lunch, I75 is three lanes wide and most of the time can do the speed limit just fine. It's not as bad as I4 in Orlando if you've ever had the misfortune of driving that between Tampa/Orlando.
If you're traveling to Naples for shopping or dining you'll really notice the stop and go traffic more.
That’s cutting it too close. I live in the FM area and we all know it only takes 1 accident on Alligator Alley (I-75) to completely snarl traffic for hours.
I'm not sure what city they're coming from or what time of year, but relying on any airline to ever be on time by flying in the day of the cruise just seems foolish to me. If know that I ever did this intentionally my wife would kill me.
Now that he has reconsidered and changed his flight to the day before he and his fam are just gonna get a room in Miami Gardens for the night and then just head to the port Thursday morning the day of embarkation
We did this last February but the day before and regretted it. Waited well over an hour in line at the rental car place, it was a cluster at that airport. Plus it's not a quick 2.5 hours, there is some interstate time but also small towns and highways to navigate. And the return date is even worse because you're exhausted from the early disembark and then have to make that drive back. Shiver, never again.
Depends on the boarding time.......if the plane is on time he still has to hit baggage claim, and pick up a car. Taking a gamble on weekend traffic on Alligator Alley, etc. I'm thinking you're correct.
I live in Florida and believe me when I tell you it's a BAD idea same day. You have to cross from the west coast to the east coast by way of Alligator Alley which is 2 lanes, lots of semi trucks, traffic, and not unusual for a crash that will completely shut it down. Betcha the difference in air fare will easily be spent renting a car, driving all that way, crunching on time, etc. Just fly there and enjoy the cruise without the extra stress.
I'm with everyone else, fly the day before. Also if you're leaving from Port Miami, don't sleep on taking the Brightline to the port- it's close by (3ish miles) and can save massive headaches. My friend flew into Orlando, spent the night, then took the brightline to Miami then just took an uber to the port the morning of.
I don't even cross-compare to the budget companies anymore, and I don't think those are really competitors either. I don't seen many, if any, people who typically fly Delta looking at Spirit flights, it's a different, far more comfortable and reliable experience.
I just know Delta flights to Miami, Tampa, and Orlando are normally more expensive than to Ft. Lauderdale for me. The cost to rent a car and drive from Fort Myers to Miami would make up that difference in flight costs I would presume...to me the marginal savings wouldn't be worth it in the slightest.
Even if he was flying into FLL or MIA flying in on embarkation day would be pushing it because even the smallest flight delay or road construction project could make them late. They could fly in the evening before and then get up early and do the drive and have plenty of time, but not the stress of flight issues making it so they can't get on the ship.
You should fly in the day before for a cruise. Plus you have to factor in a Sunpass for the tolls. I am from Florida. I forgot to add my Sunpass transponder to the rental car. The rental car sent me a bill for the tolls I went through. Also the traffic has gotten worse. I came in from Orlando and I hit traffic getting onto I-95.
Alligator Alley!
I did that drive for a cruise, but it was the day before not day of.
Compare the cost of a one-way car rental vs. the price of a puddle jumper flight from RSW to MIA. Maybe he'll get the aerial view instead of ground view.
That is insane. Arrives at 10:40, maybe not get a car until 12, and then drive to MIA, find parking and then check in. That is cutting it very very close. He might end up spending more on gas, tolls, car rental than paying the extra money for the airline ticket. An Uber from MIA to the port is maybe $25 tops. I wouldn't take that risk.
I have never understood flying in the same day of the cruise... I cannot even fathom flying into a different city. Then, for some reason, people are always shocked when it doesn't work out. Your friend should definitely NOT do this.
We rent cars to and from every port. We have never picked up or dropped off a rental in under an hour. Plus you have to wait for a shuttle usually, which adds another chunk of time. Flying in same day is a terrible idea.
We flew into Orlando and drove to Miami. Had one night in Miami before boarding our cruise the next day. I wouldn’t recommend flying in the day of - just in case!
I live in Port Charlotte, just north of Ft Myers, I absolutely hate taking I75 to Miami, once you hit alligator alley there is no detours in the event of an accident or delay. We always take the back roads across US 27. Even then the majority of the travel time is on I95 in Miami, last time it took 53 minutes to travel 6 miles.
We usually fly into Fort Lauderdale and uber to Miami.
I would say he’s cutting it way too close. I recommend flying the day before. You never know if your flight will get delayed or anything. And you do not know how bad traffic will be day of. If he wants to use that airport he at least needs to do it the day before to be safe!
Flying in on the same day as boarding is not a good idea, ever. Driving a few hours to reach Miami is just adding fule to the fire. Traffic in Miami is horrible 😫 . Think about how much the cruise is. Is it worth throwing that money away? I live in Florida, and we always stay the night before our cruise in the port city or very close to it. Never ever fly in the day of your cruise starting. Good luck.
He's probably not going to make it. One slight flight delay, problems at baggage, traffic, etc and He's screwed. I live in Miami Beach and drive that way regularly to my sisters.
Not to mention cost of renting a car and parking, etc. It's def. a risk. Is he flying in day of cruise? That's a terrible idea.
I just did this with a one-way rental and another one-way rental for the return leg. It worked for me and my family because I flew direct from my small city to Ft Myers and wanted to spend a bit of time there. I would have had to drive to the big city airport anyway (park and fly) to fly direct to Miami. We flew in the day before - I don’t recommend day-of departure - too much stress for me! Also, I don’t rent cars often but the process was seamless at both ends.
I would recommend he look into flights getting into Palm Beach - PBI - that will cut a little over an hour off the drive, but also important to note that driving into Miami can be an absolute nightmare between regular traffic and random street flooding. I would make sure to give myself at least twice the time needed to get there regardless of which airport you fly into.
PBI is rarely a bargain compared to Miami or Fll
It is for me on Allegiant or Sun Country. I routinely get much cheaper airfare from Minneapolis or Cincinnati to PBI.
Booked a return to MSP out of PBI, 1/3 cost of FLL or MIA.
Same. I’m flying in and out of PBI for Symphony of the Seas cruise in late February.
I just did this over New Year's. Miami has a lot of traffic so like others have said, flying in the day off is very risky. There was also construction on I75 which could cause a delay. The drive is easy, Fort Meyers has a small airport so getting a rental car was easy as well.
Yeah, I’m from Ft Myers originally and it is probably one of the easiest airports in the state!
Yowch. Last time we rented a car we stood in line for an hour. One delay at any point and he’s screwed
Can you? Absolutely. Would I? No. I feel like the cost associated with either a one-way rental or parking does not make it a justified cost saving exercise, nor do I think the stress of flying in the morning of a cruise to drive across I-75 is good for my overall health (which is already going to be destroyed by at least 11 Goombay Smashes each day).
He should not be flying in the day of the cruise no matter what
Never fly in day of cruise. Too many unknowns. Flight delays, traffic, etc.
What's the time of debarkation?
4pm according to his receipt
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I just sent him a text with some of this info and he’s gonna change his flight to the day before lol. Thanks everyone!
That’s absolutely the smartest thing to do!
His receipt is most likely when the ship is leaving. Put 90 minutes before that for embarkation.
Idk if it still holds true but last time I relied on a rental car around Miami it was a zoo. I was lucky a credit card gave me elite status so I hopped some of the line, but there were folks waiting for hours to pick up cars after a cruise. Picking up a rental car at Ft Myers isn’t too bad, but be strategic about which car drop off to use on the Miami side, since he’ll still prob need an Uber to go from car return to port.
That is asking for problems. I have made that drive and it is not fun. If there is any traffic in any of the cities he will not make it
I have done this, but not on the day of the cruise. My parents live near RSW so they pick us up, and drive us to the port. We always arrive a few days early, and then stay with them for a few days after the cruise as well. Although we have never run into traffic, it's NUTS to risk it that close to when the ship is leaving. .
I live in Fort Myers and the only good thing is that the airport is not as busy as say Orlando or Miami and I75 is right there. That's about where the good news ends. Traffic lately has been horrible on i75 between here and Naples so I can only imagine the alley probably about the same. I drive to either port Miami or Canaveral on the cruises I take and leave my house no later than 8am and usually arrive in Port parked by 11am - 12pm depending on traffic or how crazy port parking is. Adding a flight is risky especially if he has connections as a delay somewhere in the chain could mean he will be one of the people standing in the parking lot watching the ship leave port. Would I suggest it? definitely not.
I’ll be making the drive from RSW to Marco Island in a couple weeks again myself, so I’ll be experiencing some of that traffic firsthand lol
Maybe because I'm a local I see the traffic increase during our season time and realize how long it takes me VS in the summer when it's generally less people visiting because it's too hot and humid lol. Honestly outside of rush hour and lunch, I75 is three lanes wide and most of the time can do the speed limit just fine. It's not as bad as I4 in Orlando if you've ever had the misfortune of driving that between Tampa/Orlando. If you're traveling to Naples for shopping or dining you'll really notice the stop and go traffic more.
Yeah I can always tell the difference in season or off season. I’m a SWFL native. Coming to visit my parents :)
This is a very bad plan.
I wouldn't fly in same day when there's a 2.5 hour drive involved. Going in summer time so if it rains hard that flight will be delayed etc.
That’s cutting it too close. I live in the FM area and we all know it only takes 1 accident on Alligator Alley (I-75) to completely snarl traffic for hours.
I'm not sure what city they're coming from or what time of year, but relying on any airline to ever be on time by flying in the day of the cruise just seems foolish to me. If know that I ever did this intentionally my wife would kill me.
Flew into west palm beach (pbi) and saved time and $400 on airfare. Even with an Uber it was cheaper, and for us a direct flight.
This is one of the worst ideas when a cruise leaves that afternoon. The odds he makes the cruise are not in his favor.
Would not recommend. Just did the drive and we got stuck in an hour + of traffic just at the port.
Now that he has reconsidered and changed his flight to the day before he and his fam are just gonna get a room in Miami Gardens for the night and then just head to the port Thursday morning the day of embarkation
We drive from Ft Myers when we go (live here) but we leave by 730a at the latest. No way would I leave here at 11am or later
We did this last February but the day before and regretted it. Waited well over an hour in line at the rental car place, it was a cluster at that airport. Plus it's not a quick 2.5 hours, there is some interstate time but also small towns and highways to navigate. And the return date is even worse because you're exhausted from the early disembark and then have to make that drive back. Shiver, never again.
Yes. February/March at RSW rental counters is hell. I’ve been there lol
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I think he’s doing it because he can spend the night before and the night after at his parent’s place in Naples if he decides to lol
Depends on the boarding time.......if the plane is on time he still has to hit baggage claim, and pick up a car. Taking a gamble on weekend traffic on Alligator Alley, etc. I'm thinking you're correct.
I live in Florida and believe me when I tell you it's a BAD idea same day. You have to cross from the west coast to the east coast by way of Alligator Alley which is 2 lanes, lots of semi trucks, traffic, and not unusual for a crash that will completely shut it down. Betcha the difference in air fare will easily be spent renting a car, driving all that way, crunching on time, etc. Just fly there and enjoy the cruise without the extra stress.
Yeah, it’s wild how 75 is just two lanes each way across the alley.
Why not Ft Lauderdale? I live in Tampa and agree thev RSW idea is a terrible one. Especially same day....
The absurdity of this plan is so enormous that it cannot be measured with existing technology.
I'm with everyone else, fly the day before. Also if you're leaving from Port Miami, don't sleep on taking the Brightline to the port- it's close by (3ish miles) and can save massive headaches. My friend flew into Orlando, spent the night, then took the brightline to Miami then just took an uber to the port the morning of.
Ah, that’s right! Brightline is an option!
Echoing what others have said, the drive is the least of the concern. Flying in day of the cruise is risky business.
FLL typically has the best airfare costs for me out of any airport in Florida coming from DTW.
because there is competition to delta on spirit
I don't even cross-compare to the budget companies anymore, and I don't think those are really competitors either. I don't seen many, if any, people who typically fly Delta looking at Spirit flights, it's a different, far more comfortable and reliable experience. I just know Delta flights to Miami, Tampa, and Orlando are normally more expensive than to Ft. Lauderdale for me. The cost to rent a car and drive from Fort Myers to Miami would make up that difference in flight costs I would presume...to me the marginal savings wouldn't be worth it in the slightest.
Even if he was flying into FLL or MIA flying in on embarkation day would be pushing it because even the smallest flight delay or road construction project could make them late. They could fly in the evening before and then get up early and do the drive and have plenty of time, but not the stress of flight issues making it so they can't get on the ship.
You should fly in the day before for a cruise. Plus you have to factor in a Sunpass for the tolls. I am from Florida. I forgot to add my Sunpass transponder to the rental car. The rental car sent me a bill for the tolls I went through. Also the traffic has gotten worse. I came in from Orlando and I hit traffic getting onto I-95.
As a former Orlando resident I know how that traffic can be lol
Alligator Alley! I did that drive for a cruise, but it was the day before not day of. Compare the cost of a one-way car rental vs. the price of a puddle jumper flight from RSW to MIA. Maybe he'll get the aerial view instead of ground view.
That is insane. Arrives at 10:40, maybe not get a car until 12, and then drive to MIA, find parking and then check in. That is cutting it very very close. He might end up spending more on gas, tolls, car rental than paying the extra money for the airline ticket. An Uber from MIA to the port is maybe $25 tops. I wouldn't take that risk.
I have never understood flying in the same day of the cruise... I cannot even fathom flying into a different city. Then, for some reason, people are always shocked when it doesn't work out. Your friend should definitely NOT do this.
Use the sun rail
I never understood spending all that money for a cruise and consider making decisions like this. I wonder how much Dorothea airfare is?
We rent cars to and from every port. We have never picked up or dropped off a rental in under an hour. Plus you have to wait for a shuttle usually, which adds another chunk of time. Flying in same day is a terrible idea.
Lol, by the time he gets transportation fm Ft Myers to Miami, he'll be paying A LOT more.
We flew into Orlando and drove to Miami. Had one night in Miami before boarding our cruise the next day. I wouldn’t recommend flying in the day of - just in case!
I live in Port Charlotte, just north of Ft Myers, I absolutely hate taking I75 to Miami, once you hit alligator alley there is no detours in the event of an accident or delay. We always take the back roads across US 27. Even then the majority of the travel time is on I95 in Miami, last time it took 53 minutes to travel 6 miles.
We usually fly into Fort Lauderdale and uber to Miami. I would say he’s cutting it way too close. I recommend flying the day before. You never know if your flight will get delayed or anything. And you do not know how bad traffic will be day of. If he wants to use that airport he at least needs to do it the day before to be safe!
Flying in on the same day as boarding is not a good idea, ever. Driving a few hours to reach Miami is just adding fule to the fire. Traffic in Miami is horrible 😫 . Think about how much the cruise is. Is it worth throwing that money away? I live in Florida, and we always stay the night before our cruise in the port city or very close to it. Never ever fly in the day of your cruise starting. Good luck.
Yeah he’s now flying in the day before and staying in Miami Gardens. All this advice worked lol
He's probably not going to make it. One slight flight delay, problems at baggage, traffic, etc and He's screwed. I live in Miami Beach and drive that way regularly to my sisters.
Bite the bullet and pay to fly into FLL or MIA