Overview
Daytona Beach lies on Florida's Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and Orlando, famous for 23 miles of hard-packed sand you can drive on in marked sections and for the roar of Daytona International Speedway. It is a relaxed, good-value alternative to the theme-park resorts inland and an easy base for a Florida fly-drive taking in St Augustine, the Kennedy Space Center and Orlando.
Best time to fly to Daytona Beach
Daytona's warm subtropical climate makes it a year-round choice. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) give the best mix of comfortable weather, lower humidity and softer fares — see the When to book chart above for how prices move through the year. Winters are mild and dry, ideal for escaping the UK cold, while high summer is hot, humid and prone to afternoon storms; the Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November. Fares and hotels tighten sharply around the Daytona 500 in February and Bike Week in early March.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), which is served by US domestic carriers only — chiefly Delta from Atlanta and American Airlines from Charlotte. You connect through a US hub: typical routings run London or Manchester to Atlanta with Delta or Virgin Atlantic, or through Charlotte with American and British Airways, then a short hop to Daytona, for roughly 13–16 hours door to door. Many UK travellers instead fly direct to Orlando (about 9 hours from London with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, TUI or Norse Atlantic) and drive the final hour north on the I-95.
Things to do in Daytona Beach
Daytona blends classic seaside fun with motorsport heritage and coastal nature.
- Daytona International Speedway: tour the home of NASCAR and the Daytona 500, with track rides and a year-round visitor experience.
- The Beach and Boardwalk: the pier, amusements and Atlantic sunrises on the "World's Most Famous Beach".
- Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse: climb Florida's tallest lighthouse for sweeping coastal views and a well-kept maritime museum.
- Museum of Arts & Sciences: a broad collection spanning Cuban art, American paintings and a giant ground-sloth skeleton.
- Day trip to St Augustine: the oldest city in the United States, an hour north, with Spanish colonial streets and a 17th-century fort.
At Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
DAB is compact and easy to use, sitting about 4 miles (a 10-minute drive) south-west of the beachfront and downtown, next to the Speedway. There is no rail link, so most visitors take a taxi or a ride-hailing app such as Uber or Lyft, usually well under £20 to central hotels. All the major car hire firms have desks in the terminal — the popular choice for exploring the coast or combining Daytona with Orlando. The local Votran bus network also stops at the airport for budget-conscious travellers.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Daytona Beach
- Book ahead for peak dates: for February half-term, Easter and the summer holidays, aim to book four to six months ahead; the price charts on this page show the current booking window.
- Fly midweek and off-peak: Tuesday and Wednesday departures and shoulder-season trips in May or October usually cost noticeably less.
- Compare hubs: compare prices for connections via Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York with flying into Orlando and driving.
- Use flexible-date search: shifting your trip by a day or two and comparing Delta, American, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways together often finds the best fare.
Travel essentials
UK citizens do not need a visa for a holiday but must hold an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Programme before travelling; apply online at least 72 hours ahead, and ensure your passport is valid for the stay. The currency is the US dollar and cards are accepted almost everywhere, so carry only a little cash. No vaccinations are required, but comprehensive travel insurance with strong medical cover is essential given the cost of US healthcare. Florida's sun is intense year-round, so pack high-factor sunscreen.
