Tips for planning a trip to Florida

Planning a trip to Florida? We share these travel tips for Florida, so you can plan the perfect trip and save some money at the same time.

When it comes to the most popular places to holiday in the United States, Florida often tops the list. Its attractions, natural beauty, coastlines, and favorable weather make it an easy choice when picking a holiday destination. And it’s for these reasons that planning a trip to Florida can be overwhelming as there is so much to see and do.

What’s the best way to spend your time? Here are four tips that will help you to plan the ultimate vacation to Florida and ensure everything goes smoothly.

Where to go in Florida

Your planning should begin by narrowing down the area of Florida that you want to visit. The state is quite large, so it’s best to pick a specific region that you will be touring or staying in. But which region is best? 

There is no simple answer as it comes down to what you want to do on your vacation. If you’re all about the beaches and the sun, then you’ll want to pick a city/town that is on the beach; adults can enjoy the nude beaches in Florida whilst South Beach is a popular option for many visitors to the state.

If you like the idea of amusement parks and recreational activities, you probably don’t need to be beachfront but stick to Orlando for the best parks in the state. You can also enjoy the family-friendly attractions on International Drive too.

You can find natural beauty all over the state as well as fantastic food, friendly locals, and those iconic Florida lighthouses.

Some of the most popular areas of Florida to vacation in are:

• Orlando
• Fort Lauderdale
• Miami
• Panama City Beach
• St. Petersburg
• Sarasota
• Naples
• St. Augustine
• Key West
• Daytona Beach
• Destin
• Tampa

Florida with kids

If you are traveling with kids in Florida, it can be the perfect destination. Known for its massive list of activities and attractions, it’s enough to keep the whole family busy for the duration of the trip. A good idea is to prioritize the list of activities so that you don’t over-extend yourself. If you find you’ve got extra time, you can always pack a few more attractions in. 

There are a few attractions that consistently get great reviews from families such as Walt Disney World (Orlando), Kennedy Space Center (Titusville), Universal Studios (Orlando), St. Augustine Alligator Farm (St. Augustine), LEGOLAND (Orlando), Gatorland (Orlando) and Busch Gardens (Tampa). Check our Undercover Tourist for discounted rates.

Plan a luxury Florida vacation

Instead of settling for the standard style of vacation, why not elevate your experience? Luxury vacation ideas in Florida are plentiful.

From booking a luxury vacation rental to hitting up the finest local restaurants, and visiting beautiful beaches and attractions, this style of vacation is perfect for couples who want to be treated to luxury while on vacation and want to step outside the hustle and bustle of their daily lives.

Families can also enjoy staying in studio apartments in Orlando, ideal if you are looking for more space during your trip. Miami and Key West are great locations for couples whilst a cruise from Florida is the ideal way to relax and unwind in the sunshine.

Plan ahead

Every single experienced traveler will tell you that it is vital to plan ahead. The same goes for Florida. And the earlier you do it, the better. You can take into account several factors as you plan but the really important thing is research. 

Make sure to take into account the schedule of everyone. This can be difficult when traveling with a large family, especially when several adults need to take time from work, or when there are children of different ages going on the trip. 

Remember that the best accommodation will book really fast. Also, reservations will be a lot cheaper when they are booked early. 

As an extra tip, when you travel by road, make sure to carefully plan the route you will take, including stop spots. And do make backup plans since you never know how traffic goes. 

When to visit Florida

The peak tourist season is from mid-April until November. The summer months are often busy, but keep in mind it gets very hot and humid during this time. The heat and humidity can make it uncomfortable if you plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities that don’t include swimming.

As expected, Florida is a very popular destination for the holidays and for Spring Break. There are several attractions available there during these times but the prices are also very high. If you want to travel on a budget, such timeframes should be avoided. 

The best time to visit Florida is during Fall or Winter. This is because the weather is truly great, even if hurricane season can still be a problem. Spring and Christmas are not great options since Florida will be filled with families, students, and more. 

Free things to do in Florida

There are so many free options available when you want to experience what Florida has to offer. For instance, you can have a lovely picnic or you can visit the Science Museum without spending a penny. 

You can enjoy vacations in Florida in so many different ways, even if you are on a budget. Usually, you want to create memories. These do not really need you to spend a lot of money. So many options can be considered, like the beaches, playgrounds, town squares, Disney Spring, and so on. And many are even better than the paid options. 

Florida Holiday Guide

Plan a trip to Florida F.A.Q

What is the cheapest month to go to Florida?

The cheapest months to visit Florida are September, May or early June. This is when children are all in school, flights are cheaper into the state and hotels offer better prices. 

How much money do you need for a Florida trip?

It really depends on what you are seeing and doing in Florida. If you are spending time in a city like Miami, you can expect to spend at least $500 a day including accommodation; this is based on a family of four. However, if you are thinking about spending time in Orlando, head to the Disney parks, and staying on-site, accommodation can begin at $500 alone in some of the Disney hotels. 

What is the cheapest city in Florida to fly into?

The cheapest city in Florida to fly into from domestic destinations is Orlando. However, those flying internationally can find cheaper options when flying into Melbourne. 

Is food expensive in Florida?

A family of four can expect to spend at least $200 a day on food. This is based on eating out for three meals a day. 

What is hurricane season in Florida?

Hurricane season in Florida lasts from June through to November. 

What is the most expensive time to visit Florida?

The peak tourist season in Florida is from mid-December to April. Many choose to visit Florida for the sunshine as the rest of the states experience colder weather and holidays in the theme parks are magical.