Cheap Flights to Orlando (ORL)

Thrilling family fun with flights to Orlando

A family holiday fit for princes and princesses, kings and queens

Orlando seems to have fun covered from every angle. On the one hand it promises fairy dust sparkles, and princess swoons in its ‘magical kingdom’. On the other, there are barrel rolls, belly laughs and the odd tummy butterfly during its wilder theme park moments. There are plenty of grown-up capers awaiting those stepping off of flights to Orlando too: swinging shopping bags with glee at the mall, or thwacking the ball on lush green golf courses. Throw in plenty of Florida sunshine, some awesome wildlife encounters and a dash of NASA’s rocket science, and you really are in family holiday heaven. So why not look for those cheap flights to Orlando today?

When should I book flights to Orlando?

Orlando’s fun is at its height when the summer sun is out. But it’s also at its busiest, with prices to match. A different sort of peak hits around Christmas, as parents try to make sure their kids’ wishes come true. So if you’re looking for cheap tickets to Orlando, try late winter or spring. Florida’s heat is less sticky then while the queues are just that little bit shorter. A good time to snatch the cheapest tickets to Orlando is September. That’s when prices dip because of the start of the new school term.

Where can I fly to Orlando from?

The magical pull of Orlando has put a few routes on the map heading out of Ireland, but only a couple offer direct return flights to Orlando. Aer Lingus will nip you over to Orlando International (MCO) from Dublin in 9 hours. The Americans weigh in too, with United Airlines’ regular route from Dublin to Orlando. There are also several 1-stop offerings from the likes of British Airways, KLM and Air Canada, which take a shade under 11 hours from Dublin. Flights from Cork are possible, but doubling back to the UK for the transfer flight may put some people off.

Getting from Orlando International Airport to Orlando

Orlando International Airport is about 20 miles from Disney World Resort and its cluster of hotels. There are a host of private shuttle-bus services laid on, which can cost anywhere between $10 and $30. Or you can hire a car at the airport to give yourself full freedom to roam the Sunshine State. If you’re heading into Orlando itself, try the LYNX local metro system, or catch a bus into the city’s centre for less than $5.

Making the most of the magic in Orlando

Disney World rules the roost for theme park fun for many, but Orlando has other parks dishing out their share of woo-hoos and wows. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will quickly have both kids and adults spell-bound, while its parent park, Universal Studios, is a thrilling rush of exciting rides and magical movie moments. Discovery Cove’s dolphin swims will melt the stoniest of hearts, then NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will have your heart pumping, as it shoots you to the stars on its Shuttle simulator.