Going to Florida but don't want to drive - any suggestions?

alyth

Hi - I thought i would pick the brains of those that know!

I want to go to the States to swim with manatees - specifically to Crystal River which is about 90 miles north of Orlando. Unfortunately I don't want to drive - I'm a single female and would be travelling on my own.

I know there is Greyhound buses but I'd be wary of taking them as a solo traveller. I know I could hire what seems to be a taxi service from Orlando up to Crystal River. Once there not being able to drive isn't a HUGE problem - it's surmountable.

There is not a single travel company that I can find that provides this sort of trip - I've swum with manatees twice before but had someone to drive/travel with.

Can anyone offer me any advice as to how I could take this trip? I'd be going for maybe 4/5 days probably in January of next year.

Mr_Lahey

alyth wrote: »

Hi - I thought i would pick the brains of those that know!

I want to go to the States to swim with manatees - specifically to Crystal River which is about 90 miles north of Orlando. Unfortunately I don't want to drive - I'm a single female and would be travelling on my own.

I know there is Greyhound buses but I'd be wary of taking them as a solo traveller. I know I could hire what seems to be a taxi service from Orlando up to Crystal River. Once there not being able to drive isn't a HUGE problem - it's surmountable.

There is not a single travel company that I can find that provides this sort of trip - I've swum with manatees twice before but had someone to drive/travel with.

Can anyone offer me any advice as to how I could take this trip? I'd be going for maybe 4/5 days probably in January of next year.

Sack it off and choose a different holiday. Going to Florida without a car is like going to the moon without a rocket.

And i expect a hundred people to come and say "i never went with a car...." Ive been to the States more times than i can remember and i go to Florida every January and have done for the past thousand years. You will be seriously wasting your time and limiting your holiday without a car.

Anyone who says you don't need a car is a chav.

alyth

em I guess that is one opinion!!! I'm rather to loathe to thank you but thank you for your reply.

Mr_Lahey

alyth wrote: »

em I guess that is one opinion!!! I'm rather to loathe to thank you but thank you for your reply.

Why do you 'loathe to thank' me?

dizzybee

hi,
i am a non driver and go to Florida every year,we have stayed at Disney but found staying on international drive was the best option has you are in easy reach of all the shops,restaurants.many hotels offer a shuttle service to all the theme parks.also you will find that your holiday company will also offer trips out.i would say go for it.you will have a great time.

alyth

Problem is I want to go north of Orlando, I need to fly into there and then go north - by public transport if possible. As a single woman I am not going to hire a car and jump and drive 3 hours north. Once I am in Crystal River all if fine, it's getting there that is the problem - that's why I wondered whether anyone knew of any tour packages or operators that would take me to swim with my manatees - Virgin used to do it years ago but stopped it.

Mr Lahey I thank you for your opinion but it wasn't entirely helpful was it?

merlinormartin

Hi Alyth

I visited Orlando a few weeks back, 7 days with car 7 days without .. having a car was fab to visit Walmart/outlets etc.. but managed fine without one. 7 days without car we stayed on I-Drive oposite point orlando (shopping centre with cinema) ... I-drive trolley stopped right out side the hotel, free bus with 1 phone call courtesy of "attraction spot" takes you to universal, 2 buses to Disney took about 45 minutes door to door.

ok back to the Manatees..

You can book a day tour at Orlando tourist centre which includes coach travel from certain hotels .. or you can book the tour before you go from alot of online ticket sellers eg Attraction Tickets Direct

I hope orlando is warmer next Jan than this year it was sub zero for a huge part of the month lol

Enjoy your trip!

alyth

exactly the advice I was looking for Merlin - thank you so so much! never thought of that option, dammit, I've been to the states often enough as well, with ex on business! I always booked everything independently and he drove us up to Crystal River, it was the transport bit that I could not work out - it's my treat to myself next year for passing my exams.

And cold is fantastic - more manatees! This has been a fantastic year to see them, because it's been so cold they have come more inland than they normally would - to their detriment a bit as well.

Thanks Merlin, you've made my Friday night!!!

cazziebo

Hello Alyth!

Sounds great! I've driven several times on my own in many states in the US and I've also taken the bus. I've never had any problems at all (apart from getting lost a few times when driving, but I get lost wherever I go). I've driven Toronto to Athens Georgia, Toronto to Columbus OH and Savannah GA to St Petes, Fla and found it very safe and easy. Buses are fine in the US - feel more endangered on the late bus from Glasgow's George Square to East Kilbride!

If you definitely don't want to drive, then why not give the swimming centre a call and they might recommend a local cab firm who will pick you up from the airport? Probably safer than airport cabs.

Alternatively these companies offer tours from Orlando
http://www.orlando-tours.com/?event=offer.detail&offerId=10659
http://www.orlandoescape.com/gator-tours/swim-with-manatees.htm

They both offer day trips, but don't imagine they would have a problem with you going one day and taking the return journey on another. It's the US and it's holiday state, they'll try to accommodate you

Hope you manage it -and have a great time!

Cx

jeanniebeanie_2

Take a look through the sticky Orlando thread at the top- the Drive-Don't Drive Argument rages!

Whatever works for you is good IMHO.

alyth

Thanks Cazzie, I know what you mean about buses in Scotland!!! Tried to get down to your neck of the woods today but snow meant I was stuck up in the sticks! Good to hear from you as well, I'm not in this site very often, exams - god they are hard!!!

I had a company bookmarked that was similar to a taxi company but PC died at christmas, had to get a new one, and couldn't remember the name of the company - I think it's the second one you've recommended.

Thanks again, my dream isn't quite dead yet!!!