How much for two weeks in the Sunshine State?
Where: Two weeks in Orlando, Florida for a family of four
When: June 6th-June 20th
With the tour operatorFor a holiday for two adults and two children in the three-star Dolphin Beach Resort in
St Petersburg, Panorama quoted us nearly €5,500. Panorama promises us the resort is "perfectly located" and says the hotel is "great value for money". It's on the
St Pete beach, 20km from downtown St Petersburg, with a selection of restaurants and bars nearby. The price covers the cost of a room only, but car hire is included. Direct flights leave Dublin at 8.30am, arriving in Florida nine hours later. The return flights leave at 2.30pm, arriving here at 4.40am.
How much?€5,487
On your ownBooking two rooms for two weeks at the Dolphin Beach Hotel costs $3,012, to which "room tax" of $361.44 is added. The total cost of the accommodation is $3,373.44, which, based on exchange rates from earlier this week, equates to €2,137.26. Flights with Delta Airlines from Dublin to Orlando cost €555.78 per person, with an additional €132.98 each to cover taxes and charges. The total cost of the flights for a family of four is €2,755.04. There is, however, a 20-hour stopover at JFK on the way home, so we looked elsewhere. Aer Lingus flies directly but has no departures on June 6th. Flights leaving on June 4th and returning a fortnight later cost €2,999.76, including a €480 fuel surcharge. The cost of renting a Hyundai Accent with Hertz is just over €270.
Car rental€271.30
How much?€5,408.32
Independent savings€78.68, or €323.40 if we fly with Delta and deal with the 20-hour stopover in New York.
