Merry

The title says it all really - we're living in Halifax and planning on going to Orlando around the time of the Canada Games. We're happy to go midweek but flight prices from Halifax are still twice the price than flying from Portland in Maine. Has anyone done this? How long is the drive - we think about 10hours but with three children I'm wondering if this is about right or not. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Auld Yin

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&utm_...&utm_medium=ha

Your trip costing should include gasoline/meals and probably 2 hotel nights.

Bob

Bangor to Portland Jetport is 1.5 hours in good weather, double that in the snow.

Bangor to Calais, which is close to the border is about 2-2.5 hours, but double in bad weather, the roads a bit shit compared to I-95/295 and rather bendy.

No idea about the Canadian side of the journey, but 10 hours probably isn't to far off the mark if you leave early, you'll get to the US during the day and miss the traffic. Petrol is pretty expensive in that part of Maine though, gets cheaper towards Portland.

Service stops are pretty shit to don't exist until you get to Bangor though, most of them are closed during the winter.

Portland Jetport is in a bit of a grotty part of the city and there's nothing to do in the area and there's nothing to do in the airport, there's about 3 sets of toilets and a cafe/bar and that's seriously it apart from a couple of vending machines. So if you've got kids, don't get there to early or you'll be bored out of your skulls, there's even less to do upstairs once you check in. Don't know what long term parking is, but it is cheap, about $10 a day short term, but cash only, long term might be different.

Tuppence

Sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Can't you go from Moncton or Fredericton? Would that help the prices?

dbd33

Or drive on to Orlando.

woodworm

Have you checked flights from Bangor as well? Prices might be the same as from Portland and your parking fees are less and you save 1.5 hours of extra driving each way. Might also be worth to check an airport hotel for park and fly rates, for example>

http://www.fourpointsbangorairport.c...irport-parking

Bob

Bangor is really expensive to fly out of...there's even less to do in the area around the airport, though there are a few more shops in the airport, not much to do.

Parking costs aren't any different or they weren't, unless you're staying at the hotel, then you're adding hotel costs.

Merry

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice - I'll do a bit more research on the other airports. We had thought of driving to Florida because that would save on car hire too but I don't think that's a wise idea when there might be so much snow around. We're not just being greedy for the sun either - my parents have booked flights to fly over for a holiday then so it would give us a good opportunity to see them.

helcol

Halifax to Bangor will be around 7 hours without stopping. Have you checked for flights out of Houlton? You can get them sometimes, which would reduce driving to around 5.5 hours.

Merry

It now looks like our best option is to go from Portland in Maine. Just wanted to double check, if we drive across the US border, do we have to have six dollars (US) in cash for the border crossing??? I'm sure I've read that somewhere, but can't find it.

Thanks.

Bob

If you're Canadian citizens no, other wise yes to cover the I-94

Merry

Thanks for the speedy reply, Bob, am I correct in thinking that it has to be cold, hard cash? (hey ... I wonder if the immigration officers would do a deal for cash ... on second thoughts, perhaps better not ask)

There are also two adults, three kids, so I am assuming 5 x $6 will be to order of the day.

Just double checking that it still applies even though we have ESTA approval in place. Don't want to pull up to the border with grumpy kids from a few hours drive and find that we can't get through.

Thanks.

Bob

No idea if they take card, probably depends on the border crossing, but usually cash.

Don't know about kids, but definitely each adult will need one.

ESTA is seperate, and needed for flights, not road crossings. The $6 fee is the I-94 at a land crossing for the VWP. When you fly, it's included in the cost of the ticket.

Merry

Cool, thanks.

Tuppence

Woodstock take credit cards.