How long should I leave between flights MIA?

With flight prices for September to Orlando direct being over £650 with Virgin v( I am considering going indirect, indirect to MCO (With Delta) is around £100 more than TPA (£366 lgw or £388 LHR). My question is is 1hour 55mins long enough to do everything I will need to catch my connection? having never taken an indirect flight any other tips advice would be most welcome.

Given how bad immigration queues and customs delays can be in Miami as well as having to check in for your next flight and get through security etc, I would give yourself a minimum of three hours to make your connection.

MIA is a nightmare!! as above 3 hours +

Remember to calculate any extra baggage fees that you will have to pay on your internal flights - these can soon build up and could well eat into a chunk of your savings. Also factor in the extra hassel of having to change planes on both legs and how this might eat into your holiday time.

Am not saying don't do it but just consider the options in the round and take into account how any travelling companions (kids for example) might not appreiate it.

MIA is a vile place and it has taken me 3+ hours on one occasion to clear immigration ! (it has also on another occasion taken me 20 minutes so you just can't tell). However, the savings it is offering you are not insignificant (even with internal flights and purchase of baggage allowance).
DL

Immigration does vary at Miami, can be quick or very slow!

Are you going to hire a car in Orlando? You could consider hiring a car at Miami and doing the drive up to Orlando, it's a long and boring drive, but possible. Something to compare the price of internal flights to.

[Neil]

We flew in to MIA in 2009 and then did an internal straight up to MCO, after reading horror stories on here we booked a flight 2:30hrs after landing. We were through immigration, re-checked our bags and back through security less than 40mins after we touched down.

Of course many have experienced it the other way, but I think somewhere around the 2hr mark should be okay.

[mitchja]

Another vote to completely avoid MIA. It's a horrendous airport.

Have you thought about going via JFK? Jetblue fly JFK>MCO

Via JFK on Jet Blue to MCO.

MIA = horrid.

If you do choose it, follow Tinks' advice and plan for 3 hrs.

Thanks for the replies might have a look at alternate airports to transit through, driving doesn't really grab me. Extra baggage charges were mentioned wouldn't my luggage be checked through to my final destination? Or would I have to collect it and re check?

[honey lamb]

Thanks for the replies might have a look at alternate airports to transit through, driving doesn't really grab me. Extra baggage charges were mentioned wouldn't my luggage be checked through to my final destination? Or would I have to collect it and re check?

Even if your bag is tagged through to your final destination you still have to collect it at your point of entry into the US and then re-check it at a transfer desk after you have passed through Customs

Thanks for the replies might have a look at alternate airports to transit through, driving doesn't really grab me. Extra baggage charges were mentioned wouldn't my luggage be checked through to my final destination? Or would I have to collect it and re check?

It depends if your flights are on the same ticket/PNR or not whether they could be checked through or not and what allowances would apply.

You will have to collect your bags at your point of arrival in the US to clear customs and then almost imemdiatly re-check them even if they are tagged through to your final destination.

I fly MIA and drive to Cocoa Beach/Orlando quite a lot as it's only about 3.5 hours and very easy. I haven't really experienced bad queues at MIA to be honest, as nothing can quite compare to O'hare's queues and usually gives you an excuse to have an overnighter in Miami Beach.

The airport is really rubbish though so don't have great expectations and you'll be fine. Eat before you get to the airport as well on the return leg. You'll thank me later as there is hardly anything after security. Even the lounge for UC customer is pretty rubbish but at least it's fairly quiet.

Thanks for the replies, after the advice on here I have chosen to connect in Atlanta got a great price for flight and hotel combo.

So my outbound flight has a connection time of two and a half hours and the return one and a half hours both with Delta.

So on the outbound as I understand it, even if I request my bags to be checked through I will have to collect them in the normal way and clear immigration and customs, then re check them and presumably clear security? On the way back I can forget about my bags and just go directly to the gate?

Sorry if these sound daft questions i've always flown direct in the past.

So on the outbound as I understand it, even if I request my bags to be checked through I will have to collect them in the normal way and clear immigration and customs, then re check them and presumably clear security? On the way back I can forget about my bags and just go directly to the gate?

Outbound - correct ! There should be a DL desk just outside the customs area but before you reach the main arrivals hall where you can hand your bags back. Remember to put any duty free you bought in the UK or on the plane in your case before you re-check it though !

Inbound - depends on the layout of Atlanta airport but I am certain you will need to clear security again