Ahhh, there’s nothing like a summer vacation with the family – and if you’re like most families in the four-state area, sooner or later you’ll be planning a trip to Florida to take on one or more of the theme parks in the Orlando area.

Lucky for us we live in an area that has several airport options, including the Hagerstown Regional Airport, which offers twice weekly service to both the Sanford and Tampa area.  While it is convenient to have a local travel option, there are some pros and cons to consider when booking a flight out of Hagerstown.

(image credit – flyhagerstown.com)

 

Pros

Convenience

For most travelers (especially those with small children), the prospect of a 90+ minute car ride just to get to a “large” airport (like the BWI or Dulles terminal) is daunting.  Traffic to either destination is unpredictable, and it’s very hard to gauge travel times (especially during rush hour).   Travel time to the Hagerstown airport is much more manageable.

Size

The Hagerstown Regional Airport is small and easy to navigate.  There’s only one gate, and while you may think the lines can be long, I dare you to compare it to any major airport ticketing or security line during peak travel times.  I’ve sometimes had to show up over two hours early just to make sure I’ll make my flight at a major hub – while usually one hour before flight time will do just fine in Hagerstown.

Free Parking

Yes, that’s right.  Long term parking is free.  That alone is like $40 (or more) in savings, just in parking fees.  Sweet.

 

Cons

Options

There’s only one “major” airline that makes flights out of Hagerstown – Allegiant, so you’re at their mercy when it comes to pricing.  Sure, they advertise some low base fares, but get ready for some sticker shock when you see all the “add-ons” you’ll be forced to pay for (i.e. baggage fees, seat selection fees, etc.).  It adds up quickly and can make that “low” fare just as expensive as traveling to a major airport.  You can take a “puddle jumper” or shuttle flight from Hagerstown to one of the major hubs, but that also adds to the cost of travel, and it isn’t cheap.

Flexibility

Allegiant only flies out of Hagerstown twice a week during their peak season.  That means you may have to adjust your vacation dates around their flight schedule and times, which can be early in the morning or late in the evening.  If the flight is a late arrival/departure, that may mean you actually “lose” a vacation day due to travel (or end up “killing time” waiting for the flight).

Destinations

Allegiant only currently offers two destinations out of Hagerstown – Sanford/Daytona Beach and/or Tampa.  Let’s make one thing perfectly clear – neither one of these destinations is “close” to the theme park areas of Orlando.  For example, both Tampa and Sanford are about 50-60 miles from Walt Disney World, so you’ll need some form of ground transportation (i.e. rental car) once you arrive.  Now your “road travel” is on the back end of your flight, and the traffic from either one of these destinations to Orlando can also be brutal (both ways travel the infamous I-4 corridor – one of the worst stretches of interstate in Florida).

 

The Hagerstown Regional Airport is a viable travel alternative for families heading south for a Florida vacation, but make sure to weigh the pros and cons before making your travel plans.