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Find Cheap Deals to Orlando

Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland: size. There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine. -Walt Disney on Disney World, which opened near Orlando in 1971

Orlando. Not so long ago, it was best known for its Air Force base, and before that, its citrus groves. Then along came Walt Disney and everything changed.

Today, Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world and home to not just Walt Disney World Resort but also Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World Orlando and numerous other amusement parks, water parks, golf courses plus a seemingly endless parade of conventions.

And you want to go, too. Terrific. Let’s get started.

Secrets of an Orlando Expert

Ben Reed of AdventuresWithBen.com is an Orlando expert; listen as he reveals some of the secrets of your favorite theme parks, as well as cool things to do if you crave a very different experience.

Cheap Flights to Orlando: Best Days to Travel and Other Tips

Some ideas on when to travel to save on airfare to Orlando.

Cheapest Days to Fly to Orlando

The key to getting the best deal to Orlando is knowing when to fly.

• Cheapest Days to Fly: The cheapest days to fly to Orlando are similar to other domestic destinations: the best days are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and often Thursdays as well. Fridays and Sundays tend to be more expensive, but sometimes you’ll find deals for those days. Note: Orlando has nearly as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, so deals and packages are widely available; check your favorite chain’s website.
• Cheapest Time of Day to Fly: The cheapest times to fly to Orlando are typically overnight flights (the so-called red-eyes), but also at dawn and during the late evening.
• Cheapest Time of Year to Fly: Orlando is popular with tourists year-round, but notable off-peak times to fly include periods when children are in school, especially during the lull between Thanksgiving and Christmas and during the doldrums of winter (with the exception of the varying weeks of Spring Break).

Getting Deals for Weekend Getaways and Last Minute Flights

Want to get away to Orlando at the last minute? Some quick tips:

• Sign up for FareCompare Airfare Alerts: Don’t waste your time; let us do the work for you. FareCompare will send you real-time updates on the cheapest flights to Orlando from your home airport. Note: Open alerts immediately, because the cheapest deals don’t last.
• Use the FareCompare Getaway Map: See prices to Orlando from your home airport, or from any city you choose. The map also allows you to share your deals on Twitter. Plus, consider following your personalized FareCompare account (such as @flyfromLAX or @flyfromNYC) or your favorite airline’s Twitter feed.

Orlando International Airport – What You Need to Know

Orlando’s main airport has three things going for it: location, location, location.

Orlando International Airport (MCO): This is second only to Miami in terms of busiest Florida airports, and Orlando has a superb location – just about six miles from the city’s downtown. Best of all, Orlando International serves as a “focus city” for three low cost airlines: AirTran, JetBlue and Southwest. Other low cost carriers that fly to Orlando include Frontier, Sun Country and Virgin America. Most major carriers are represented as well, including several international airlines from around the world.

Quick Fact: The MCO airport code designation for Orlando is a nod to its origins as McCoy Air Force Base.

Other Airports

These are less convenient but a very cheap deal might make flying to one of these cities worth it:

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): This airport is located 71 miles from Orlando International.

Tampa International Airport (TPA): This airport is located 92 miles from Orlando International.

Airport WiFI, Security and Ground Transportation

Tips for making your Orlando airport experience as easy as possible.

• WiFi at Orlando’s Airport: There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminals.
• Security: The CLEAR Registered Traveler Program (expedited security screening) is available at Orlando International.
• Ground Transportation at Orlando: There are taxis, of course, plus free hotel shuttle bus service. There are also relatively inexpensive shuttle vans to major attractions, or you may want to use the cheap local bus service (the navigation-friendly Orlando Airport website at www.orlandoairports.net has all the details).

Learn more about FareCompare and the cheapest days to fly and best times to buy airline tickets for year-round savings.