Flying into Orlando is something I’ve done more times than I can count. Sometimes it’s for the theme parks, sometimes it’s for a quick escape into Florida’s wetlands, and other times it’s simply because Orlando makes for a central meeting spot when friends and family from around the U.S. want to gather in one sunny city. But every time I look at flights, I notice the same problem: prices can be unpredictable.
One week, I’ll see a round-trip fare for \$120. The next, the exact same flight will jump to \$400. At first, this used to frustrate me. I’d feel like I was always missing some secret trick that other travelers knew. Over the years, though, I’ve learned how to play the airfare game—and I’ve managed to save hundreds of dollars by being smart, patient, and flexible.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how I personally save money on flights to Orlando. I’ll share my favorite booking platforms, the specific airlines that consistently deliver cheap fares, and the little hacks I use to stretch my budget further. More importantly, I’ll describe how these strategies feel in practice—because nothing is sweeter than stepping off a plane in sunny Orlando knowing you paid half of what the person in the seat next to you did.
Why Orlando Flights Are Special
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest airports in the country, not just because of Disney and Universal but also because Florida is such a vacation hotspot year-round. Airlines compete fiercely here, and that’s actually a good thing for travelers like me.
The first time I realized this was on a whim. I searched for flights from New York to Orlando and noticed Spirit Airlines offering a one-way ticket for less than the cost of my weekly grocery bill. It almost felt too good to be true. Over time, I realized that Orlando is often a testing ground for airlines to lure travelers with cheap base fares. That means if you’re willing to play along—and accept a few quirks—you can fly here for far less than you might expect.
Tip 1: Be Flexible with Travel Dates
I can’t emphasize this enough: flexibility is king. Orlando flights can swing wildly in price depending on the day of the week. When I tried booking flights on a Saturday, I saw fares close to \$300. By shifting my trip to a Tuesday departure and Thursday return, the same flight dropped to \$140 round trip.
I use Google Flights religiously for this. Their calendar view makes it easy to see which days are cheapest, and I love the little bar graph that shows fare trends. More than once, I’ve changed my entire Orlando trip by a few days just because the savings were so dramatic.
Personally, I don’t mind traveling midweek. Arriving in Orlando on a Wednesday means fewer crowds at the airport, faster baggage claim, and even shorter lines at the car rental counters. That, to me, is worth reshuffling my calendar.
Tip 2: Book Early but Not Too Early
There’s this sweet spot I’ve discovered after years of trial and error. Booking too early—like six months out—doesn’t always guarantee the lowest fare. Airlines sometimes price high at the start, waiting to see demand. On the other hand, booking too late means you’re often stuck paying premium.
For Orlando, I’ve found that booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance is the golden window. I tested this on a trip last spring: when I looked three months out, fares were about \$240. Two months later, they dropped to \$160. By the time I checked just a week before the flight, they had soared to \$380.
My go-to for this kind of timing is Kayak. Their price predictor tool tells me whether I should “buy now” or “wait.” It’s surprisingly accurate and has saved me from panic-booking on more than one occasion.
Tip 3: Consider Low-Cost Carriers
Flying low-cost airlines was something I avoided for years. I was worried about cramped seats, hidden fees, and the horror stories you hear online. But then, curiosity got the better of me. I booked a one-way ticket to Orlando on Frontier Airlines for less than \$50.
Yes, I had to pay extra for my carry-on bag. Yes, the seat was basic. But once I landed, I realized something: I got from point A to point B safely, quickly, and cheaply. And for a flight under three hours, that’s really all I needed.
Low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant are major players in the Orlando market. If you know how to work within their system, you can score flights that feel almost unreal in price. I’ve flown round-trip from Philadelphia to Orlando for under \$100, all because I was willing to sacrifice some frills.
Tip 4: Use Points and Miles
I’m not one of those hardcore “travel hackers” who has dozens of credit cards, but I do dabble in rewards programs. Orlando is a sweet spot for this because most major airlines fly there nonstop.
For example, I once used Delta SkyMiles to cover a round-trip from Atlanta to Orlando. It only cost me 9,000 miles and about \$12 in fees. Another time, I booked an American Airlines flight through my AAdvantage miles for a family trip. Using points for Orlando feels especially rewarding because the flights are short, so the mileage requirements are often lower than for cross-country routes.
I usually track my miles and compare redemption options on AwardHacker, which helps me stretch my points further.
Three Affordable Airlines I Recommend
Over the years, I’ve flown almost every airline into Orlando. Some were pleasant surprises, others I’ll probably never repeat. But three consistently stand out as great options for cheap, reliable flights into Orlando International Airport.
1. Spirit Airlines – Barebones but Effective
Route Example: Newark (EWR) to Orlando (MCO)
Price: Often as low as \$60–\$120 round trip if booked early
Services: Basic seating, no free carry-on, snacks for purchase, optional Wi-Fi
Passenger Experience:
My first Spirit flight to Orlando was eye-opening. The seats weren’t luxurious, but they got me there on time. I remember chatting with a mother traveling with her kids, and she told me she flies Spirit all the time for Orlando trips because the money she saves on airfare goes straight into Disney tickets.
I’ve had mostly punctual flights with Spirit, though I always pack light to avoid paying baggage fees. The crew, in my experience, has been friendly, though service is minimal compared to legacy carriers.
Booking Platform: Spirit.com directly usually gives the lowest fares. Sometimes I check Expedia if I want to bundle the flight with a hotel.
Travel Tip: Bring your own snacks and book seats in advance if you care about sitting together.
2. Frontier Airlines – Ultra-Low Fares, Straightforward Experience
Route Example: Philadelphia (PHL) to Orlando (MCO)
Price: \$80–\$140 round trip depending on season
Services: Seats are slim but decent for short flights, snacks and drinks available for purchase, carry-on and checked baggage fees apply
Passenger Experience:
I’ve flown Frontier multiple times into Orlando, and the main reason is simple: the fares are ridiculously cheap. I once scored a round-trip for \$78. Boarding was quick, and even though the legroom wasn’t generous, the flight was smooth.
I like that Frontier has been expanding its Orlando routes, which means more options and better prices. Passengers I’ve spoken with often say the same thing: if you go in with the mindset that you’re paying for transportation, not luxury, it’s a good deal.
Booking Platform: I prefer Kayak for Frontier because it compares multiple dates easily, helping me find the lowest fare.
Travel Tip: Sign up for their discount club if you plan to fly Frontier more than once a year—it pays off quickly.
3. Southwest Airlines – Budget-Friendly with Perks
Route Example: Baltimore (BWI) to Orlando (MCO)
Price: \$120–\$180 round trip
Services: Two free checked bags, free snacks, no change fees, open seating
Passenger Experience:
Southwest is my go-to when I want affordability without feeling nickeled-and-dimed. The two free checked bags are a game changer. I once flew from Baltimore to Orlando with a suitcase full of beach gear and didn’t pay a penny extra.
Boarding is open seating, which I used to find chaotic, but now I actually enjoy it—it feels less rigid than assigned seats. On my last Southwest flight to Orlando, the crew cracked jokes over the intercom, making the whole trip feel lighthearted.
Booking Platform: Southwest.com is the only place you’ll find their flights, since they don’t show up on third-party sites.
Travel Tip: Check in exactly 24 hours before your flight to get a better boarding position.
Tip 5: Mix and Match Airlines
One of my favorite tricks is booking two one-way tickets on different airlines. Sometimes, it’s cheaper than booking a round trip with the same carrier. For example, I once flew down to Orlando on Frontier for \$45 and returned on Southwest for \$65. The total was \$110, which beat every round-trip option I found.
I usually experiment with this strategy on Skyscanner. Their interface makes it easy to piece together flights from different airlines without confusion.
Tip 6: Fly Into Alternative Airports
Most people automatically search for flights into Orlando International (MCO), but Orlando Sanford International (SFB) is another option. It’s smaller and less hectic, and sometimes budget airlines fly there for even lower fares.
On one occasion, I booked an Allegiant Air flight into Sanford for \$70 round trip. Yes, the airport is farther from Disney and downtown, but renting a car balanced that out. I actually enjoyed the smaller airport vibe—it felt less stressful and easier to navigate.
Tip 7: Clear Your Browser and Use Incognito
I used to think this was a myth, but I’ve tested it myself. When I searched multiple times for Orlando flights on the same browser, prices mysteriously climbed. Switching to incognito mode or clearing my cookies brought the original lower fares back.
I’ve since made it a habit to always search flights in private browsing mode. It gives me peace of mind knowing I’m seeing the most accurate fares.
Tip 8: Set Alerts and Be Patient
I can’t count how many times flight alerts have saved me. I set price drop alerts on Hopper and Google Flights. One evening, I got a notification that fares from Chicago to Orlando dropped to \$95 round trip. I booked instantly, and within 24 hours, the price had jumped back up to \$160.
The thrill of catching that perfect fare feels like winning a small lottery. It’s worth the effort.
Tip 9: Travel Light
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about cost. On low-cost carriers, baggage fees can sometimes exceed the price of the ticket itself. I’ve learned to pack everything into a single backpack that qualifies as a “personal item.”
It forces me to travel smarter, too. I bring versatile clothing, roll everything tightly, and rely on laundry once I’m in Orlando. Walking past the baggage carousel knowing I saved \$60 in fees is a small but satisfying victory.
Tip 10: Leverage Travel Platforms
I rely heavily on trusted booking platforms to keep everything organized. Here are the ones I use most often:
- Expedia – Great for bundling flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Google Flights – My go-to for comparing multiple airlines.
- Kayak – Helpful for price predictions and flexible date searches.
- Skyscanner – Perfect for mixing one-way flights on different carriers.
- Hopper – Best for mobile alerts and fare predictions.
Each platform has its quirks, but I’ve saved real money using all of them at different times.
Every time I land in Orlando, the warm Florida air hits me like a welcome hug. It doesn’t matter if I’ve just stepped off a budget Spirit flight with no frills or a comfortable Southwest flight with free snacks—the thrill is the same. What matters most is that I got there affordably, leaving more money in my pocket for experiences that actually make the trip memorable.
I’ve learned that saving money on flights isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s about the feeling of empowerment. It’s about sitting in your seat, watching the clouds roll by, and knowing you’ve outsmarted the system just a little.
And when I’m walking down Main Street in Disney or kayaking through a Florida spring, I’m grateful I didn’t blow my budget on airfare. After all, the real magic of Orlando isn’t just in the parks—it’s in making the journey there part of the adventure.
