Hey, me and my buddy are planning on coming down to panama city beach during the week of march 13-20th from vancouver, canada. We'd appreciate any information we could get. From what we've read on the internet, holiday inn sunspree sounds like a good place to be staying.
But we've got one problem, we need to figure out how to get down to panama city beach. Our flight will get us to orlando; are we better off renting a car from orlando and driving to panama city beach, or should we look into getting another flight from orlando to panama city????
Also, we'd like to know what kind of hotel rates others are paying during this time there. What are good deals at good locations?? There will probably only be 2 of us guys coming down (although we are trying to convince some others), but if there are 2 ladies wanting to split a room with us, let us know, that could save us some money....more money to spend on drinks
:D
you can email me at pauls21@hotmail.com
thanks a lot

Orlando is about just as far a drive from Panama City Beach (PCB) as Atlanta or New Orleans from PCB (give or take an hour). If you are just trying to find the cheapest flight and don't mind driving 5-6 hours, check out all the major cities a few hours away for cheapest airfare.

For my money, I fly in all the way. You don't want to be driving hour after hour when you can be on the beach!

The airport code for Panama City is PFN. Because flights and rental cars might be very expensive in Panama City for spring break, here's a tip:

Check out the rates flying into Ft. Walton Beach, about an hour west of PCB. Ft. Walton Beach airport code is VPS.

That is the airport I usually fly into if the savings is decent. The drive is nice, not that bad, and you approach Panama City Beach from the west when everyone else is driving in over Hathaway Bridge (the only bridge between Panamay City and Panama City Beach).

Hope this helps.

Great tip, Ted! If you can afford it, flying into Ft Walton or Panama City is the way to go... I definitely wouldn't want to drive 6 hours after a 2-3 hour flight from Vancouver!

More info on Holiday Inn Sunspree

Other popular hotels are Boardwalk Beach Resort, Chateau Motel, Days Inn Beachside, Ramada Inn... check out this thread about popular Spring Break hotels!

And go to our Panama City Accommodations page to book your Spring Break hotel online!

Or try our Advanced Hotel Search to find the best deals!

Glade to see you have decided on panama city as your destination! Get ready for one hell of a week!! You will enjoy the Sunspree, good hotel, along with the Boardwalk Beach Resort, thats another great hotel, although they are a few miles apart, either way, you are going to enjoy both hotels! See you in 122 days from today! march 12-20, Boardwalk Beach Resort, look out, Indiana Guys going to run the place just like last year!! Enjoy

Jason

I realized I misread the first post, and it seeme they already are flying into Orlando. I'd still check changing the tickets or flying from Olrando to PCB, but the cost of that would easily be more than car rental for the week. So I guess they have to decide what works best for them.

Guys: Next time get out a map before booking a flight! Florida is huge. Like California.

Although my spring break days are past me, an interesting question for the locals and spring break veterens:

Do you want to have a car for spring break, or can you get around OK without one? Obviously, you don't want to be boozing heavy and driving and I've seen the traffic on Front Beach Road and Thomas Drive just on a weekend. I bet it is crazy traffic during spring break.

Or is it better to have a ride so you can cruise to meet the ladies (or men for the ladies), get around to all the different hot spots, etc. During Spring Break can you just bail to Back Beach Rd. (PCB Parkway or whatever they are calling it this decade) to avoid traffic and get around, of is the entire area basically a mess?

Probably best to rent a car, eh? Just in case you feel like cruising the strip. Sometimes that can be aboot as much fun as going to a club.

Of course, if you've been drinking... you can always walk back to the hotel or call a cab - then go get your car in the morning.

Back Beach and Middle Beach aren't too bad... nothing like the traffic on Front Beach.

Yes, I agree, the traffic is horrible, and we always stay at the Boardwalk, so its a little ways away from hooters, sharky's, latitudes, ect..........so we take the back way and avoid all the cruising and such, saves us LOTS of time!! Enjoy

Jason