Orlando without a car?

[oneofakind]

Due to a set of circumstances I am going on holiday with my friend in Feb 2026. She has fixed dates (around 12-13 nights) and is set on long haul but a budget of around £1.4k. She ideally wants a beach break as she was due to go to a tropical place and was really looking forward to it but this has had to be cancelled.

The only place I can find within budget is Orlando, Florida. The weather would be good , flights not too long and the hotels look ok but, although I drive and have been to Florida before, I don’t want to hire a car. I just don’t feel comfortable driving abroad any longer and wouldn’t want to do this in the US. Having been before (but Disney/Universal then) a car seemed to be quite essential.

Ideally we’d want a beach holiday somewhere warm but places are either too expensive (Caribbean, Mexico) or the flights are too long for a 12 night break (Thailand).

I suppose I feel a bit of pressure as she’s been through a hard time but doesn’t want Canaries/Egypt/Cape Verde and it’ll be her first time long haul. She’s saved for a long time for this trip.

Any advice please?

Doesn’t want Dubai I don’t think.

Punta Cana Dominican Republic. I live here and Feb is my fav month, low humidity highs around 30, no seaweed at this time of year, some fantastic resorts (some not so fantastic, but feel free to ask me about them)

Oh and just so you know, some areas of Mexico can be cool enough in feb that you need a cardigan, and the water can be cold. We were there late feb about 6 years ago and got sandblasted on the beach, and the pools were freezing. weather was lovely as in no rain, and when the sun was on you , it felt hot, but then a breeze came...brr.

if you’re looking for a beach holiday México is definitely somewhere to considering. The majority of hotels are all inclusive, large and beautiful and you could definitely find one in the budget.

If you stay on International Drive you can get buses or Ubers to all the attractions!

Yes, there are quite a few nice beaches, but it can get cold in Florida in February.

We went to Salah in Oman in February. It was lovely weather.
Alcohol very expensive so we just didn't drink (polish my halo please 😁)
TUI do holidays to Oman.

RE Thailand, we go every year to Khoa Lak, there is no sex tourism (it is very family friendly) that I've seen, loads to do around the area, cheap and the food is amazing.

Khao Lak looks amazing but a 10 hour drive from Bangkok? We only have 12 nights so with the long flight that would be too far sadly. However, I’m thinking Thailand as it will be cheap and accommodation options look good for the budget. I’ll start a thread on Thailand.

Will look into all of the suggested options, thank you.

Do a 2 part flight UAE OP, 7 and 7 because a) it is so much easier than sitting all that time b) it is so much cheaper.

How about a cruise? A few options in budget:
Fly out to Miami:
https://www.iglucruise.com/carnival-celebration/21st-february-2026_c362911

Fly out to Tenerife:
https://www.iglucruise.com/costa-fortuna/21st-february-2026_c394256

Or Egypt for a beach trip? Some massive bargains that way. https://holiday.holidaypirates.com/holidays/d/l/?date=2026-02-21&boardBasis=&masterId=5659&departureAirports=LON%2CMAN&rooms=2&nights=12&source=share&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=ssh-social-share

https://holiday.holidaypirates.com/holidays/d/l/?date=2026-02-20&boardBasis=&masterId=43138&departureAirports=LON%2CMAN&rooms=2&nights=12&source=share&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=ssh-social-share

We go to Florida and uber everywhere - have never hired a car. They are so cheap, last time we went it worked out cheaper than hiring a car, with the insurance etc.

Fortunate enough to have done a lot of travelling.

Carribean is your answer - 100%

My advice:

1. Check with your friend on her budget. Is £1.5k for all expenditure or would Uk travel/food and drinks be on top of this. This is really important as a lot of Caribbean resorts are all inclusive so you need to ensure you are comparing like for like. Your only additional expense here would be any excursions you wish to do and travel to UK airport.
2. Use skyscanner to play with flight dates, locations and your various airport options. There will be a bargain! Check cancun, Barbados, St lucia and Dominican Republic all of which would be great for what you’re after I think.
3. yes booking.com to find a hotel then google hotels to get the cheapest price. Again be concious of board basis - you can’t compare all inclusive to a bed and breakfast option without adding in some budget for lunch/dinner/drinks.
4. check vs package options by using a couple of package holiday websites - would recommend TUI and on the beach
5. book! And if you book seperately don’t forget to consider transfers (these are usually super cheap and could just be booked on uber when you get there or through the hotel once booked).

Hang on until nearer, 8 weeks out they start to heavily discount. I’ve been to the Caribbean for under £700 including flights and half board (2 years ago) the closer it gets the better the bargain but availability reduces.

Orlando isn’t on the coast and everything’s so expensive

I always use tui and you log in for extra special deals (so they say) on Tuesdays

You cannot do Orlando and the parks for £1400. A package to Jamaica/Dominican Republic is the best long haul beach break on that budget imo.

This is in a lovely part of Negril beach, right on the front, its open for business now and not effected by the hurricane and in budget. I realise a lot of people will think they need to avoid Jamaica after the hurricane but the damage is very localised and they are asking got visitors. It is a lovely place :)

www.loveholidays.com/holidays/?destinationIds=328&departureAirports=LON&nights=14&rooms=2&date=2026-02-09&flexibility=0&sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH#hotelUrl=%2Fholidays%2Fjamaica%2Fnegril%2Flegends-beach-resort.html&hotelTab=map

My thoughts too

AI in Spain isn't exactly 'travel' is it?!

Why is she discounting the Canaries? Beach holiday or if Lanzarote, loads to see too?

Snorkeling in Egypt could be fab too..

What does she actually WANT to do... Rather than focusing on country.

Why not work backwards?
There are several places I won't visit as there just isn't enough to interest me!

Can't comment on the car for beaches in Orlando but it's definitely 100% not needed for disney/universal/shops anymore, it's all moved on and there is a big gig economy.

We went last year and did everything with Lyft/Uber and Instacart (where people do the shopping for you from the shop or shops of your choice and bring it to you).

It's all extremely reasonably priced. e.g. we paid between $20-$35 for the ride between the airport and Universal.

It's so freeing to just use apps!

Why is the onus on you to find and book a holiday, not to mention driving? What about the UAE? doesn't have to be Dubai - my friend just stayed in a beach resort about 90 mins away from Dubai and went into the city for a couple nights.

Glad you're reconsidering Thailand. We went for 11 nights (I think) and that was fine for getting over jet lag. Eating out is amazingly cheap and loads of choice. We stayed in Bang Tao in Phuket (breakfast only) which was a great hub for exploring. It felt very safe there, lots of families etc. Not all sex shows and prostitution, there are lots of lovely parts too. Would definitely go again.

Florida is bloody expensive and unless you're doing Disney which has its own transpirt you'd need a car or be prepared to get lots of taxis.

Gambia def worth a look. Cheap, 6 hour flight with no time difference. Nice beaches and can do all inclusive if wanted. Enough sightseeing to keep you busy for that time and plenty of nice restaurants. No need to drive .perfect time of year for weather .

Loads of places in Thailand where there isn’t loads of sex tourism in your face

we love krabi/ ko lanta

if you go fly Bangkok and straight on to krabi so you can get to so you get to islands

internal flights are easy -
maybe an hour or so

Maybe because holidaying somewhere with an appalling human rights record isn't everyone's idea of fun? Oppression, state sanctioned murder, misogyny and a side order of human slavery aren't exactly appealing.

Tampa is also Florida. Flights are cheaper, it is in the beach and there are oks es nearby that you can go to by uber

Orlando is nowhere near the beach. The resorts are all at a premium too.

Barbados isn’t a ridiculous flight and ticks lots of boxes, and they drive on the left so having a car isn’t as stressful!