Florida’s 30A vacation destinations are well worth traveling to, and careful planning can only help you relax!
Say you’re planning on using a 30A Airport: here’s what you need to know.
The 30A area in Florida has two airports: the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.
In order to use them efficiently, be aware of the airlines they offer, the services they provide, and the problems you may run into with each.
To decide which airport is best for you, in addition to making your trip as smooth as possible, we’ll look into both of the airports near Florida’s 30A, their benefits, and their disadvantages!
What Are the Two 30A Airports?
There are two airports that will take you to the tourist-friendly towns along Florida’s 30A. These airports are:
The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is situated directly in Florida’s most popular tourist city, Panama City.
Its address is 6300 West Bay Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32409.
The ECP was opened fairly recently.
The first international airport was designed after the September 11 attacks, making it accommodating to large crowds without compromising safety.
The second option, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, services west of Pensacola, east of Pensacola, and southern Alabama.
Its address is 1701 State Road 85 North, Elgin AFB, FL 32542.
Emerald Coast Magazine named the VPS the best airport for five consecutive years beginning in 2014.
Both of these airports offer free shuttles from parking to the main airport, pet services, and military personnel lounges.
With two exemplary airports to choose from, there are a lot of things the average vacationer has to consider!
Let’s break down the benefits and disadvantages of both the ECP and the VPS.
Benefits of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a popular travel installation owing to its modern feel and many airlines.
Look below to see a list of the things that make this airport appealing!
- New and Updated
- The closest airport to the 30A vacation homes
- Access to all major airlines
- Four In-Airport dining accommodations
Let’s dive into more detail so that you can learn why these factors are awesome, and then make the best decision for your vacation plans.
New and Updated
The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport was opened in 2010.
Not only does this make it one of the most recent airports in the U.S., but it also means that the airport facilities are fresh, clean, and modern!
Closest Airport to the 30A Vacation Homes
One of the best things about the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is that it is located square in the heart of the most fun things the 30A area has to offer!
Settled in Panama City, anyone flying into the ECP only has as little as a 20-minute drive before they’re standing on Panama City Beach.
The ECP is only around 30 minutes from other popular beaches in South Walton, too.
The proximity to the beach often means close proximity to beachfront hotels, resorts, and 30A vacation homes.
With the ECP, you’ll be able to roll off of your flight and into your living accommodations in under an hour!
Access to All Major Airlines
The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is the larger of the two airport options servicing the 30A area.
This means it is home to all of the major United States Airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines!
Four In-Airport Dining Accommodations
The in-airport dining offerings of the ECP receive great customer reviews!
If you’re looking for a full meal, the Emerald Coast Pub on Level 1 is a great option.
On Level 2, the airport offers not only the Grayton Beer Landing Strip and Beach Time Grill, but for those in need of some caffeine, it offers the Espressology café.
Disadvantages of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)
As acclaimed as the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is, there are some drawbacks listed below:
- More Expensive
- Crowded
We’ll look deeper into the details of these factors just in case you find they affect your travel preferences!
More Expensive
Experiencing the travel accommodations of the ECP is slightly more expensive than its alternative.
For example, the maximum daily cost of parking at the ECP is $13, while the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport offers a lower charge of $8.50 for daily parking!
Because it is a larger airport, the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport does have a lower chance of offering flights that are cheaper than those at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.
Benefits of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is much older than its counterpart, and with that maturity comes some wonderful benefits, which are listed below!
- The drive to 30A is beautiful
- Less Crowded
Let’s take a closer look at all of the ways the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is a great place to travel with.
Beautiful Drive to the 30A Area
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is not as centralized to the Florida beaches as its rival, the ECP.
However, if you’re using the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, you won’t get the same opportunity to actually experience the 30A, Florida’s most scenic route!
Less Crowded than the ECP
Because the VPS is smaller than the ECP, there is far less of a chance you’ll get stuck navigating crowds of tourists, all eager and possibly impatient to get their vacation started.
It can be nice to start off your own vacation with the nice small-town vibe that the VPS offers!
Disadvantages of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)
There are some disadvantages to choosing the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport over the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. We’ve listed them for you below:
- Farther away than the ECP
- Fewer Dining Options
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the details of these factors, in case you decide they are deal-breakers when choosing your vacation preferences!
Farther Away than the ECP
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport is not as close to the popular tourist destinations as the ECP.
Though it is a lovely drive, you may find yourself getting off of a plane and traveling around 45 minutes before you reach a vacation rental or hotel near the beach.
Fewer Dining Options
If you look forward to a nice meal to round out your vacation experience and make the airport stay more enjoyable, keep in mind that the VPS only offers the Emerald Coast Bar and Grill.
Summary
When you’re headed to the 30A area, make sure to pick the airport that best matches your travel preferences!
For example, if you’re looking for a smaller, less bustling airport and plenty of time to recover from your flight as you drive to your hotel, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport may be the one for you.
On the other hand, if you’d like a faster, modern airport with quick access to Panama City and the surrounding oceanside attractions, consider flying at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
