Florida airport advice please

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

Next Thanksgiving we will be traveling from the Bay area to Hyatt Coconut Plantation in Bonita Springs. There are no nonstop flights from OAK or SFO. I was looking at flying into Miami nonstop and driving from there. Per mapquest it is about 2 hours away. Is that correct? I figure a one-stop itinerary would take a couple of extra hours of flying time which would balance out the extra time in a rental car.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

The nearest airport is Ft. Myers, the next nearest is Sarasota, the next nearest is Tampa, the next nearest is Miami &/or Ft. Lauderdale, the next nearest is Orlando.

Any of those are doable with a rental car, for a week in SW FL.

As long as you are having to make connections, see if Allegiant can get you here. They serve several regional airports to Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando/Sanford, and St. Pete/Clearwater. You may be able to fly to Vegas or Phoenix and then from there to Orlando or S. Pete/Clearwater if there is not a direct Flight.

Never mind . . . I thought I had something for a second. They fly from Monterey to Vegas, actually for $19 right now, but they do not fly from Vegas to Florida.

Anyway, since Allegiant came to our neck of the woods, we have been flying to SW FL via Clearwater or Sanford.

I also noticed on Allegiant that Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda is now listed but the only destinations are Greenville, SC and Knoxville, TN.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

Probably a two and a half hour drive from Miami to bonita (the resort is actually in Estero). You could drive 41 and see some really interesting sights if not in a hurry.Lots of wildlife and places to see alligators along 41 between Miami and Naples.
Or you get on 75 in Miaimi and take it all the way to bonita about 118 miles, then drive from there. the best route, is the local secret's route, get off of 75 at Bonita Beach Road, go a short distance west to imperial, which will become three Oaks, and take it up to cocunut turn left or west and go straight to the resort.

I think a direct flight to Miami is worth the drive.

[The Conch Man Past Goumba President & BigFrank's Cigar Buddy! Find all posts View Profile Close The Conch Man]

R&P - Ya gave away our secret!!!!

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

Ya conch man maybe I should edit that out.

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

Thanks guys. Good info. Right now the flights are about $600 for the nonstop on American to Miami from SFO. I think I will hold tight and wait for a sale and grab the nonstops if the price comes down.