Originally Posted by
N674UW
From TPA to MIA ......Mapquest has the drive as being 4 hrs and 14 minutes and 280 miles...I think the time estimate is a little conservative but close enough...
As a near 27 year Sarasota resident I can tell you you can do Sarasota to MIA in about 3.5 hours, and I have done it under 3hrs, but natch that does involve a speedy and consistent 100mph down alligator alley, which most yanks looks askance at. In a decent car with a lookout for cops (and overhead plane based speed traps!) you should be fine.
Originally Posted by
Smirnoff
That's my feeling too. Perhaps second rate, rather than third, but certainly not as enjoyable a flights as on a 747 into LHR for sure. Plus the timing of the flight from TPA is so early you just don't sleep.
So it's a question of whether the extra drive is worth it. FWIW I will be in the SRQ area, so not as far from MIA as TPA, but still a 3-4 hour drive, instead of a 1 hour drive to TPA. There don't seem to be any flights from SRQ-MIA though.
AA used to fly SRQ-MIA, but the expense of the far and unreliability of the little planes, especially in the mid afternoon thunderstorms, does not recommend that route, especially with all the security shenanigans nowadays. THere is I think a small unkown airline which does serve the route in season, though I forget the name of it. Try
SRQ-Bradenton Airport website for more info.
FWIW I always fly out LGW-TPA for a relaxed airport experience in LGW, the FIRST Lounge (and even as a Bue in J or Silver the Terraces is much calmer than LHR's). J on the TPA 3 class 777 is superb, small enough to allow the crew to attentive, and full of relxed holidaymakers so makes the crew cheerful, plus fewer young kids on the way to Disney and no stress about whether or not you will get an op-up. Snag 4k and no one to climb over!
I do not fly to Florida LHR-MIA as it is a T3 flight so only AAdmirals Club and Cathay, plus dire T3 facilities in general put me in a bad mood, and MIA immigration is akin to Judgement Day, whereas at TPA I can be in my rental car on the exit ramp of the airport literally within 25 mins of touchdown, and only a 50minute drive to SRQ (beaches are a bit further...).
On the return I do prefer MIA-LHR because it is served every day, with multiple flights. TPA is only one flight per day, not every day of the week, and arrives at an ungodly hour in LGW. The later flight from MIA means you are ready for a rest, and get a full nights sleep. 747, Upper Deck and potential for F upgrade are also in favour, and I personally like the BA MIA lounge, which has great views (though think it may be closed this year for the neverending renovations of MIA, not sure though).
I find dropping off at the Avis (off Airport) very simple. As an aside I have just bought a TomTom 910 to save on Avis Assist $10 charges.
The best bit about the MIA flight vs TPA is the Arrivals Lounge in Heathrow(sure you have to schlep over to T1, but it is handy for the tube back in to London, and T1 is the only Arrivals Lounge where you stand a chance of getting a monring massage as it is relatively quiet compared to T4). Gatwick is rubbish on this front, and then that depressing Gatwick express train ride looking into poor people's oorly maintained back gardens in the damp, gloomy morning.
So, in summary, Gatwick-Tampa-Miami-Heathrow or
GaTMithrow is the new POSH (and always get the right hand side of the plane on the way out - less direct sunlight so cooller and doesn't dazzle the IFE screen!).