Florida Airports
Arriving At Airports In Florida
Visitors will usually find they will be arriving at Orlando Airport or Sanford Airport. Orlando Airport (MCO) is hectic due to it being the main airport while Sanford Airport (SFB) has a more laid back, relaxed atmosphere.
Whether you will be arriving at Orlando or Sanford Airport depends very much on which airline you have chosen and which country your flight originated in.
Distance To Kissimmee From Orlando & Sanford Airports
Kissimmee is approx. 25 minutes drive from Orlando Airport and 45 minutes from Sanford.
Visa Waiver Scheme
From January 2009 it is no longer necessary to fill out a visa waiver form. The 1-94 or 194W forms have been replaced by the ESTA. The ESTA must be applied for prior to departure. An ESTA is free to obtain but some unscrupulous companies on the internet are charging for the pleasure of using their services.
Changes To Visa Waiver Scheme
Anyone travelling to the USA from and including 12th January 2009 must be in possession of an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation or ESTA. The ESTA requires the same information as the onboard visa waiver form and is electronically matched to the person's passport. The ESTA, once applied for, has a 2 year validity period.
For further information or to apply for an ESTA completely free of charge click here...
Entering Florida With A Criminal Record
If you have any convictions you most likely will not be allowed entry into Florida. It would be very embarrassing and expensive to be sent back home again as soon as your feet touch Floridian soil. If you think that this may apply to you it would be best to contact the U.S Embassy in London for advice prior to booking. Click the following link for Embassy details U.S Embassy Website...
Arriving At Immigration
The queue at immigration will be very long but at least you will be in an air conditioned building. Have your passports and visa waiver forms to hand. As you get to the front of the queue you MUST wait behind the white line until you are called over by the official. When called go forward as a family, only persons with the same surname go forward as a group, so, even if you are on holiday with sisters, brothers, aunts or uncles, if they have a different surname the must wait until they are called.
Your 'friendly' U.S immigration official will ask how long you plan to stay in Florida, purpose of visit etc. There is no point, at this time, in trying to engage him or her in any kind of conversation, believe me, it won't work. Immigration Officials in Florida are not hired because of their friendly demeanour and happy go lucky attitude!!!!!!!
Sandford & Orlando Airport Info
For information on parking, directions, maps, travel tips etc.click on the following links
Sandford Airport or Orlando Airport
Rental Car Insurance
After picking up your luggage you will collect your rental car, if this was your chosen option. As mentioned in the 'driving section' of Hot Florida Info, you will be asked, or to be more precise, pressurised, to take out extra insurance. All that is required is for you to have Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Loss and Third Party Liability.
You will also be asked if you want to pay for a full tank of petrol (gas) and return the car with an empty tank. This is an expensive option, much better to fill up on leaving the airport, as there are plenty gas stations in Lake Mary. You will also be handed a map of the area, take your time to study this before leaving the parking lot. Sanford Airport car rental companies are especially relaxed and will not rush any driver into leaving the compound until they are absolutely ready