To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

We're planning on taking a trip to NC to visit the ILs soon. Probably before Jake turns 2.

So what do you think is better - to fly with a toddler (about a 2 hr flight) or drive - approximately 9 hrs?

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

Definitely flying. I just can't torture myself driving to NC. Everytime I go there I think it much easier to get on a flight.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

I would think it would be more convenient to fly because it is quicker.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

Is he a good boy? I don't think 2 hours is that bad... he can watch a movie, have some snacks, play a little and it's basically done... I would do that over driving if it were me.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

Driving is better or me at this age. Because a two hour flight consists of driving back and forth to the airport 4 times, 2 times through TSA, having to buy a seat, having him stuck in an airplane vs. being able to stop and get some air,food or a walk.
Also I like having my own car and carseat when I travel.
I would just drive at night while he sleeps.

Honestly my best advice is make them visit you.... It's a rough age to travel with just because they get frustrated very easily.

Edited to add. I travel by myself with DS which adds alot to my opinion

Message edited 2/7/2007 9:53:17 AM.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

Hmmm... my vote is for flying - Alex can be a difficult one, and even she handled a 2 hour flight just fine. You have to add another 2 hours to the flight time for travel to and from the airport and getting through the gates and all, but even then you're still cutting the travel time in half.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

I'm struggling with the same question. We are going to Myrtle Beach in April and i'm not sure which is the best option with 8 month old twins. With all the accessories I need for the week, I'm thinking driving may be my best option, although being there in 2 1/2 hours is very appealling, and we will have friends on the flight to help us out.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

FLY!!! - The last place I want to be is stuck in a car with DS for 9 hours. Flying is so much easier IMO. Since he'll be under 2, you can still take advantage of not having to buy him a seat.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

I think it depends....how long are you staying there for - if it is just a long weekend, fly, if it is a week, drive. And what do they have for the baby when you get to there house? will they have a car seat, crib, pack and play, stroller - or are you lugging all of that on the plane with you?

I say if it is for more then 4/5 days - drive and if you have to bring all the stuff with you - I would drive. try and do it when he is sleeping - or even break up the trip and stop and have fun in a hotel overnight. Get a portable dvd player for him to watch too!

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

See, Jake is sooo good in the car. I *think* he might sleep through if we drive through the night.

I've done 4 flights with Jake already and none of them were a picnic.

Driving takes 9 hrs but the way I figure is this:

You have to get to the airport 2 hrs ahead

It takes around 1 hr to get to the airport (have to drive to long term parking then take the airtrain)

The flight is 2 hrs.

Direct flights to GSO are too pricey so we'd be flying into Raleigh - so 2 hr drive to Greensboro from there.

About 1/2 hr until you actually get out of the airport (claiming luggage and all that).

So flying really = 7.5 hrs at best.

So I'm really only saving myself 1.5 hrs of total travel hassle time by flying and paying a whole lot more $$$.

If we drive, Jake gets into his carseat and that's it. No shuffling around through security (take off his shoes, take off this, take off that, fold up the stroller, open it again, strap him back in, etc etc) and in and out of cars and trains.

Steph I would love to not buy him a seat and put the savings toward flying straight into GSO but I promised DH we'd NEVER fly him on our laps again. It was such a PITA last time.

Also, the ILs can't come up to visit us for awhile. FIL had knee surgery and he's not recovered enough to fly or drive yet.

Driving seems easier but is it bad for him to sleep/stay in his carseat for 9 hrs?

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

We drove down to Florida last month.
Honestly, it really wasn't bad.

We left about 6 in the morning, she had awoken up and was up in the car for about a 1/2 hour - she went back to sleep and slept until 9:30.

The hardest part was me climbing back and forth through the car to feed her, whether it was her bottle or cereal. But I can't say I hated it.

I am not sure if Jake likes videos, but we bought a portable DVD player and she watched movies.

We stopped and took her out, changed her, let her stretch a little and right back. Honestly, it wasn't bad.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

I have done both. The problem with the two hour flight is that by the time you factor driving to the airport, getting there 1-2 hours before the flight and any delays that might occur, you are looking at 5-7 hours. That's why I like driving at night and/or early morning when I know they will sleep a few hours.

Re: To Fly or to Drive...that is the question

If you have to deal with living so far from the airport, layovers, and still having to drive to your final destination, I guess driving would be better and less of a hassle for you.

Nate is NOT good in the car, so I promised myself that I would never subject myself to that kind of hell if I don't have to. After 2 hours, he gets antsy and wants to get out.

Even if I didn't have Nate, I would almost 100% always choose to fly. I hate being in the car for more than 4 hours. So forget the kid, I'm the one with the issue

Message edited 2/7/2007 11:50:18 AM.