Florida with kids – Orlando, the theme parks, Miami Beach and life in the car
Florida with kids in summer – yes, it works if you take the heat seriously. Here is our story about Miami, Orlando and the Gulf Coast.
After Los Angeles we moved on to Florida in June 2026: Miami first, then Orlando, then the Gulf Coast. With kids in summer – yes, it works if you take the heat seriously: parks from opening until 1 pm, pool in the afternoon, out again in the evening.
Miami Beach
We stayed in Bal Harbour/Surfside – quieter than South Beach, same beach. Wide white sand, palm trees, high-rises, empty in the morning. The canals and villas of Miami Beach are best seen by bike. Very visible: police and lifeguards are everywhere, and you feel safe.
Orlando: theme parks without a nervous breakdown
- Buy tickets online and in advance – a Park Hopper only pays off for long stays
- Arrive early: the first hour after opening is worth more than three hours in the afternoon
- Refill water bottles – free everywhere, while drinks cost $5
- Look at the souvenir display cases, don’t buy: figures start at $60
The car
A big pick-up/SUV through Discover Cars, about $70 a day with full cover. In Florida you drive everywhere: 40 minutes to the supermarket is normal. Air con on full, kids asleep in the back, laptop in the front – the car is living room, playroom and office. Have the rental company activate SunPass for toll roads, otherwise fines arrive by post.
Costs (3 weeks, family)
Accommodation about $2,800 (Airbnb apartments with kitchens), car $1,500, parks about $900, food $1,200. With a kitchen in your accommodation you save half on food. Where we would stay next time is in our guide where to stay in Orlando.
Hospital in Orlando – and why we will never skip insurance again
In the middle of the Orlando part, a family member travelling with us had a problem with her leg. A hospital in the US is where travelling without insurance gets really expensive (one night can run to five figures). This time we had insurance (HanseMerkur, a German travel insurer): we called the hotline, named the clinic, and the insurer settled all costs directly with the hospital. No upfront payment, no bill, no discussion. After our €4,000 emergency in Thailand without insurance, it was the difference between a nightmare and a footnote.
The one tip
Skip the high season. June/July is hurricane season, with thunderstorms every afternoon and 35 °C. October or March: the same parks, half the prices, no rain.
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Our photos
Orlando or Miami? Our comparison for families
“Orlando or Miami?” is the question behind almost every Florida trip. Our honest answer: with kids, both – but for different reasons. Orlando is about the theme parks, Miami about the beach, the city and the sea. If you only want one base, decide by what your kids want most.
| Orlando | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Theme parks (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld) | Beach, Art Deco district, the ocean |
| Beach | none – the Atlantic is about an hour away | right on the doorstep |
| Accommodation | cheaper, lots of holiday homes with a pool | more expensive, especially in South Beach |
| With kids | ideal for the parks, but long days | calmer if you stay north of South Beach |
| Car | essential | less important in Miami Beach, needed elsewhere |
Orlando and Miami are about 380 kilometres apart, roughly three and a half hours by car on Florida's Turnpike. Since 2023 the Brightline high-speed train has also run directly between Orlando airport and Miami, again in about three and a half hours. We did both: Miami first, then Orlando – so the trip ends with the parks rather than a beach day when everyone is already tired.
Entry requirements and the best time for Florida
For the USA you need an electronic passport and an ESTA authorisation ($40 per person since 30.09.2025, children included) – apply only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November. The most pleasant months are March to May plus October and November.
Florida with kids: frequently asked questions
Orlando or Miami – which is better with kids?
Orlando for theme parks, Miami for the beach and the sea. With kids the combination works best: a few beach days in Miami, then Orlando for the parks.
How far is Orlando from Miami?
About 380 kilometres. By car on Florida's Turnpike it takes around three and a half hours, and the Brightline train also takes about three and a half hours.
Do you need a rental car in Florida?
Yes. In Orlando almost nothing works without a car, and distances in Miami are long too. Pay tolls through the rental company's SunPass.
When is the best time to visit Florida with kids?
March to May and October to November. Summer is very hot with daily thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs from June to November.
How much did Florida with kids cost?
For three weeks as a family, around $6,400: accommodation approx. $2,800, car $1,500, parks approx. $900, food $1,200.
Do we need travel insurance for the USA?
Absolutely. A hospital stay in the USA can quickly run into five figures. In Orlando our insurer settled all costs directly with the hospital.
Facts as of 25.10.2026 – prices and rules can change, so check the official sources named above before you travel.
Before Florida we spent a week in California: a camper near Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory at sunset and Santa Monica Pier – the full story is in our Los Angeles road trip by camper.
Florida with kids: our verdict
Our verdict on Florida with kids: into the parks early, into the pool at midday and out again in the evening – then even summer is perfectly doable. A rental car is a must in Florida, because without one you hardly get anywhere. Which areas are good for staying is in where to stay in Orlando; background on the state is on Wikipedia.
Planning your trip to Orlando?
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