sueoz

Hi - We're planning a first visit to Grand Cayman in Jan/2005. Trying to research flights now. We are leaving from Boston, MA/Providence, RI area. First - I THINK that there are no non-stop flights. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Secondly - a lot of the flights seem to connect through Miami. I've heard conflicting reports on coming back into the country through Miami. Any advice on that? Thirdly - if Miami is bad - where should I look?

Any tips at all are greatly appreciated!!!
Sue

ParrotMom

Try looking into charter...GWV or TNT

cpeicott

Hi,
I looked into both of those (GWV and TNT) and there doesn't appear to be flights to Grand Cayman.
Does any one know?

TomCayman

No non-stops to Cayman from BOS, even charters.

Good news is that AA has great connections via Miami... on the way to Cayman it is typically a one hour domestic connection, no problem, and very easy.... you can stay airside all the way.

On the way back, immigration at Miami can be a pain, but it is getting a lot better, 2 of the last 3 times I have gone through there I have got through immigration in under 15 minutes, and I am not a US citizen.

No other options really other than Miami for good connections both ways, although Delta via ATL or USAir might be options

macnan3

In April we flew Delta out of Boston and our connection was in Atlanta both ways. No problems at all but you will have to hustle if you don't have much time in between. We paid $479 each which I see now was a great price.

ams97

Boston and Charlotte are both hubs for US Airways. We just flew US Air from Charlotte to GCM nonstop. You may want to look into a Boston to GCM through Charlotte instead of Miami. Good luck!

mcoyle1

I would definitely not come back via Miami- we came back from GC to BWI via Miami and customs/immigrations was a real nightmare, took approx 45 minutes, and then you have to go back through security which may take another 15 minutes.

townclose

There are no non stops from Bos. we live in boston, and we've flown AA thru miami and USAir thru Charlotte. USAir is definitely the better way to go!

USAir usually seems to have the best deals too.

Tips for staying in GC, we always rent this 2-bed villa on a private beach. 175 - 250/nite depending on the time of year. Check it out at www.maidenplum.com

Great private beach, good snorkeling right outisde your door, and there's a even your own personal cat who comes for meals and a lap cuddle if you like animals... LOL

NM

We just returned last week from GC via Boston. It was a 15 hr. trip for us door to door on AA. Going down things were made difficult by a 3-hr flight delay which made us miss our connection. On the way back through Miami it was a long wait in customs. All in all we spent 8 hrs. + in Miami airport--not the worst airport we've stayed in/certainly not the best. Unfortunately, it used to be easy to get from Boston to GC--no more! Good luck.

sharona

My husband and I typically travel twice a year to the Caribbean from Boston. We usually fly AA and connect in San Juan. We avoid traveling through Miami if at all possible. I don't know if things have changed at the Miami airport but it used to be that the only way to get to Immigration was to funnel the entire plane of passengers onto one small escalator. The ineffeciency was astounding and very time-consuming. The last time we came back through the country in Miami there were 3 large planeloads trying to clear Immigration at the same time. Miami is a major hub for international flights so you are likely to have a long wait.

We have, however, flown USAirways to Grand Cayman through Philadelphia, a USAir hub. I believe that flight is still available. Clearing immigration and customs in Philly was quick and seamless. Plus, the Philadelphia airport has some nice shopping if you get stuck. Charlotte is also a hub for USAir and since you are traveling in January you might not have as many weather issues (snowstorms) as you might for a more northern airport.

townclose

Don't connect thru Philly! My sister is a flight attendant and she says that Philly has the most delays of any airport on the eastern Seaboard. We ignored her warning once and our flight was delayed for 4 hours, then cancelled, so we had to get another... we learned our lesson.

sueoz

Thank you all so much for your replies. I have flown into Charlotte for other things and like the airport. I think that is the route we will go - now to get a decent price!! Thanks again. sue