Last day of vaca (when flying)

The Disney post got me thinking about checking out when on vacation.

I like to get an early flight out when I can when coming home for vacation. I know it's a waste of a day, but check out is usually 10 - 11AM at most hotels/resorts. I find it easier to pack up and grab a taxi shortly after checkout. Worst case is grab lunch then go to the airport. I hate late flights bc I feel like I'm sitting around waiting to leave. Espcially beach vacations. I see people on the beach with the family in the afternoon that have a later flight. I hate the idea of having to clean up somewhere, throw in the wet stuff in a bag and then rush to the airport. Maybe it's just me. LOL!
What do you do at the end of vaca?

ETA - Love the first flights out when leaving for vacation though. Get their early and enjoy the day.

Message edited 4/7/2015 2:57:54 PM.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

i was in mexico 3 weeks ago. we had a 4 pm flight. hotel was 30 min from airport. we checked out at 8 am. hotel kept our luggage in storage. we had breakfast and lunch, played beach volleyball and went for a swim.

1.5 hrs before we had to leave for the airport, we went to the spa and used their facilities. we showered, got dressed and off we went. my bathing suit was dry since i got out of the water and laid out in the sun afterwards.

when i travel, i like to stay as long as possible. there have been trips where i've returned after a 10+hr flight at 6 am and went straight to work from the airport.

Message edited 4/7/2015 3:23:59 PM.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

i dont have kids, but im certain traveling will be much different. i still think if youre staying at a resorts vs. a hotel in a city, you can take a later flight. all the kids really need is to wash the sand off with regular water which is always by the pool. do that, then have lunch- by the time lunch is over, they will be dry. or just use ziplock bags for wet swimsuits.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Last day of vaca (when flying)

We like to take an earlier flight on the last day of vacation. Usually we're all tired by then anyway. I like to get home and have time to unpack, start laundry and even do a quick food shopping trip to get the essentials like milk, bread, etc... We also take the earliest flight we can get when traveling to our destination. Love having a full first day.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Lol, I'm the poster of the inspiration post! I always leave early morning. We unfortunately couldn't get any good fares unless we were willing to leave the resort at like 4am (not happening with a group of 9 travelers including 3 kids!) to get to the airport. That's why I'm at a loss what to do! I feel like I'm going to be compulsively checking my watch and making myself sick over getting back in time to th resort for the shuttle to the airport, especially that we are relying on disney transportation! But yeah, usually up and out on the last day!

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

If we're doing a family, week long trip, I like to leave late morning or early afternoon. Like you, I like to check out and read to the airport. If DH and I are only getting away for a couple of nights, I like to take the latest flight home possible. Usually the hotel will allow us to have a late checkout so we do beach in the morning, early lunch, and then go back to the room to shower and change. Then at the airport we do our last minute souvenir shopping, grab a couple of beers and eat something before we board.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

I like later flights:
1. No rush getting out in the AM
2. Can usually squeeze some extra fun into the last day
3. Get home as late as possible so no guilt if I don't unpack/get to the laundry until the next day, LOL

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

I like an afternoon flight out. Get up, maybe hit the pool, get dressed comfortably in the room, check out, eat a nice lunch, head to the airport. Any longer than that and I'd feel like I was just waiting to leave.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

We fly out early. Like 10 or 11. It's a long day and I don't like to.have to keep an eye on the clock so we skip the park that day.

Last day of vaca (when flying)

I haven't flown with DD yet, but the times that I did fly, me & DH would take a late morning flight home (around 11ish if possible). I like to get home, get organized and do what I need to do.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

We've always taken morning flights home, but this time we are taking a late evening flight. We are planning to hit the park (Disney) early am, and relax by the pool until we have to leave.

Last day of vaca (when flying)

We get an early morn flight out. When vacation is over, it's over. It's like delaying the inevitable and makes it harder to leave. I like to get home, unpack, do wash, and settle back in before real life sets in again. I take mostly sat to sat vacations so at least there's an extra day at home before the work week.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

When it's the last day of vacation and I know I have to travel I like to just get up and get out. Hanging around all day is just delaying the inevitable, I'd rather get an early start and just head home. My head is already checked out anyway on that last day, I wouldn't enjoy myself even if I stuck around.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

I prefer to have an early morning flight out on the last day so I can get home and unpack and settle in.

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Re: Last day of vaca (when flying)

Depends on the trip. Something like a cruise I like to try to get a 12 or 1 pm flight to get home, but not stress about missing the plane if the ship is delayed or a bag temporarily lost. There is no where to go but the airport when you get off.

Disney I love to take a later flight and enjoy as much as possible. ME picks you up 3 hours early. We like a 4 or 5 pm flight.

Generally I like around 2-3. Check out around 11 gives you time to grab lunch, head to the airport and be about 2 hours early.

I don't like to get up early and rush home on vacation. I do however prefer to get up very early and take 7-9 am flights when starting our trip to make the most of it.