A Guide To Driving In Orlando For First-Time Visitors
Driving In Orlando
Welcome to my newly expanded and upgraded Driving In Orlando Guide. If this is your first visit and you don’t know where to start, break this guide up into manageable chunks and you’ll be on the road in no time.
Further down you will find links to all the popular car hire companies in Orlando’ main airport, Orlando International plus you’ll find hints and tips to make your car hire go seamlessly.
From picking the right provider to extras, insurance, toll roads and so much more. I have included links so you can jump to whichever information you need with ease.
Orlando Without A Car
It’s never been easier to visit Orlando without driving yourself.
Certain areas are better than others with local amenities and low-cost travel options to get around. If you want to visit Orlando without hiring a car, please see my dedicated guide to visiting Orlando without a car.
Orlando’s Airports Explained
With 2 international airports and 2 regional airports, your airport transfer cost or driving will depend on the airline.
Orlando International Airports
Orlando has 2 main international airports: Orlando International (MCO) and Orlando Melbourne International (MLB). Your choice of flying into either depends on the airline you choose to fly with.
TUI use Orlando Melbourne because of its proximity to Port Canaveral and TUI’s growing cruise business in the Caribbean.
Orlando Sanford International (SFB) used to be used by many charter airlines but has since fallen out of favour and is now mainly a regional airport once again.
Orlando International MCO
30 minutes east of Orlando, most airlines now use MCO. If you don’t want to hire a car, MCO is your best airport choice, with multiple transfer options.
Airlines using MCO along with terminal information:
- Aer Lingus (C)
- Air Canada (B)
- American Airlines (B)
- British Airways (C)
- Delta (B)
- Icelandair (C)
- JetBlue (C)
- Norse (C)
- United Airlines (B)
- Virgin Atlantic (C)
Transfer options to and from the airport include:
Ride-share: Convenient and reasonable, as long as you don’t require a car seat.
Private Hire: Costly but guaranteed, good for large groups or young families.
Public Bus: Hourly service to International Drive for $2, but it can take up to 90 minutes.
Mears Connect: Shared bus transport to many area hotels. Check the costs, but you don’t need a car seat, so good for young families. It can take a while.
Orlando Melbourne MLB
90 minutes east of Orlando, Melbourne International is the primary base for TUI flights from the UK, no other airline uses Melbourne because of the distance.
- TUI
Check that transfers are included prior to booking your package holiday. They are for most accommodations, but not all.
Without an included return coach transfer, your only options for getting to and from Orlando are;
- Driving – Easiest option
- Ride Share – Costly, time-consuming & reliant on someone accepting the fare
- Private Hire – Most expensive but guaranteed
Orlando Regional Airports
Orlando has 2 further regional airports. Chances are that you will use Orlando International most of the time, but any airline could choose to switch operations to save money on landing fees compared to Orlando International, particularly low cost carriers where margins are far tighter than standard airlines.
Orlando Sanford SFB
Formerly an international hub for many UK charter airlines, the 60-75 minute transfer means Sanford Airport is once again a regional airport. Some low-cost airlines use SFB as a base if you fly domestically.
- Allegiant
Low-cost carrier Allegiant use Orlando Sanford as a base for Daytona Beach and Orlando (but, confusingly, uses Orlando International MCO for a small number of East Coast cities).
You may need to visit Sanford if you have a stop in the Caribbean before you fly home, since several Caribbean-based operators use Sanford as a base.
Your only transfer options in Sanford are to drive yourself or rely on a rideshare operator to accept your fare.
Kissimmee Gateway ISM
Supposedly on Disney’s proverbial doorstep, Kissimmee Gateway handles corporate jets and charter flights. The chances of you arriving here are currently remote.
Commercial airlines use Orlando International MCO, which is a shame, as Kissimmee Gateway is just a few miles from Disney World. You can currently only fly in here if you have enough money; you can charter a flight yourself.
Further Afield
If you’re looking to save money on flights to Florida, an increasing number of UK visitors are opting to completely bypass Orlando altogether and fly into 2 other main international Airports in the state of Florida.
This can work in your favour if you want to do a twin centre, but distance, cost and your comfort driving abroad could play a deciding role in whether you choose to fly into either of these airports.
Tampa International TPA
A quieter, cheaper alternative, 75 mins west of Orlando. If you plan on driving, Tampa is a viable alternative to Orlando but may have limited service from some UK airports.
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Delta
- KLM/Air France
- Lufthansa
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
The only direct UK flights are operated by BA and Virgin from London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Getting to and from the airport is easiest if you drive, but rideshare options are typically a viable alternative, although traffic can be a bit of an issue.
Miami International MIA
Connected by Brightline rail services, Miami is a 5-hour drive south of Orlando. If you can save enough on your flight, Miami can be a great option.
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Delta
- KLM/Air France
- Lufthansa
- Norse
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Miami is just as well connected as Orlando, but the distance put many people off. Brightline runs multiple daily services between Miami and Orlando in 3 hours 35 minutes. For people opting for a twin-centre holiday, Miami is the perfect airport for Fort Lauderdale (also on Brightline) and the Florida Keys.
Picking Up Your Hire Car
Everything you need to know about hiring a car in Orlando, including the basics, tolls, insurance, driving directions, parking costs and more.
Paperwork At The Hire Desk
Documentation, Forms, Security Deposits & More
Paperwork At The Hire Desk
Remember the important documents you must have when hiring your car. Your physical driving licence, passport and either a credit or debit card for the security deposit, with enough to cover the hold amount for the duration of the rental.
Extras
Car Seats, Insurance, Sat Nav, Recovery, Tolls & More
Car Hire Extras
The car hire desk is your last chance to sort out any extras such as sat nav, car seats and extra insurance cover. Remember to decline toll charges if you have your own transponder sorted.
Protect Yourself
Document Everything To Prevent False Charges!
Protect Yourself From False Claims
Keep photographic records of everything to protect against false claims by the hire company. Take photos of the inside and outside the car on pickup and drop-off, paying attention to bumps and scrapes. Photograph the dashboard console and keep your fuel receipt to avoid a fraudulent refuelling claim.
Breaking Down Car Hire Costs
The cost of your hire car is calculated on size and duration of hire but there are optional supplementary services you may want to consider that will add to the overall cost.
Damage Waivers (CDW/LDW)
A contract between you and the car rental company absolving you of financial costs beyond the initial deductible (excess) in the event of an accident. Typically adds $20-$30 dollars per car per day to your car rental agreement.
Liabiltiy protection (TPL/SLI)
Third-party liability is included in your initial rental but usually with shockingly low limits. This insurance boosts your coverage from the bare minimum- sometimes as low as $10,000 or even zero- up to $1 million for around $15-$20 per day.
Personal Protection (PAI/PEC)
Accident (PAI) is a medical safety net against medical bills, boosting coverage up to $250,000+. Item insurance (PEC) boosts limits for belongings in the car. Accident insurance should add $5-$7 per day; items insurance $2-$5.
Other Services To Consider
The ease of getting around can be helped by hiring equipment or services for your visit, further increasing the cost of hiring a car. Consider the following.
Roadside Protection (RSP/RAP)
Like AA or RAC for your rental car, covering all the usual things like running out of fuel, getting locked out of the car, flat tyres or needing a tow. It should cost around $5-$8 per day, but make sure you go through the rental company first if you need it.
Satellite Navigation
In an age of smartphones and cheap travel eSIMs, this piece of equipment may not be needed as much, but if you don’t want to mess around with phone settings and eSIMs, car hire companies may want to charge you quite a premium for access or a standalone unit.
Child Safety Seats
Think twice about taking your UK safety seat to the USA. In Florida, any child under 5 is required to be secured in a federally approved, crash-tested safety or booster seat. Costs can run high depending on the company, but should be around $12-$15 per seat per day.
Car Hire Companies In Orlando
Be careful when using cheaper off-airport operators that like to surcharge you for everything while offering lower-cost rentals. The companies below operate at the airport. Click on each one to discover the cost of renting a car while in Orlando
Alamo
Founded in 1974 in Orlando, Alamo is the largest car rental provider to international travellers in North America.
Avis
The first car rental company to be located at an airport. Founded in 1946, AVIS now has operations in 165 countries.
Budget
Founded in 1958, Budget is now a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group after being acquired in 2002 by Cendant.
Dollar
Beginning in 1997 as an independent subsidiary of Chrysler, Dollar was acquired by Hertz Corporation in 2012.
Enterprise
A flagship brand of Enterprise Holdings (owners of Alamo and National), operating in 230 airports.
Hertz
A well-known name but second in size in the US with 36% market share behind Enterprise but above Avis Budget.
National
Founded by 24 independent rental car agents in 1947, National now operates over 2000 locations worldwide.
Payless
With 167 locations in North and South America, plus Europe. Payless has been part of Avis Budget Group since 2013.
Sixt
Founded in Bavaria in 1912. Sixt opened its first US location in 2013. It now operates 100 locations in the US, with 50 in airports.
Thrifty
Founded in 1958, Thrifty markets to budget-conscious leisure travellers. Thrifty and Dollar were acquired by Hertz in 2012.
Toll Roads & Toll Passes
Toll Roads Around Orlando
Toll roads can generally be avoided if you set your sat nav correctly. Most visitors will only hit 2 main roads leaving Orlando Airport: the 528 and 417 Expressways.
Toll charges are all made by ANPR technology. Your car hire company receives these and passes them on to you, usually with a daily fee of between $5 and $15.
Bypass the car hire company charges by grabbing a transponder. There are several used in Florida, but you only need to know about the two below, depending on your arrival airport. Click on each one to find out more information.
Once you receive your transponder, go into the respective app and update your car registration plate before setting off. Add $10 minimum to the account to activate it.
Avoiding toll roads will typically add 20-25 minutes to your journey to and from MCO
Visitor Toll Pass
ONLY available at Orlando International Airport
Visitor Toll Pass
Download the app to reserve your pass. Pick up at a vending machine on level 1 near the car hire desks in Terminal A/B or level 4 in Terminal C. A $10 deposit goes towards your future tolls. Remember to add your number plate before you leave the airport and return your pass at the airport to avoid a $10 charge.
Sun Pass
Available near Melbourne, Miami & Tampa Airports
Sun Pass
Purchase a SunPass Transponder in popular stores such as Publix, Walgreens, and CVS, near all airport locations but not directly within the airports. SunPass Mini is not recommended for hire cars due to a single-use limit. SunPass Pro costs $14.99, works in more states and can be transferred to different cars. You need to register and load $10 minimum to activate your account.
Driving Directions & Parking Costs
In addition to the daily theme park costs, many off-site hotels now apply a nightly parking cost. Double check with them directly before booking because charges fluctuate. Disney do not charge for hotel parking but Universal hotels, operated by Loews do, based on the tier of the hotel you are staying at.
Getting To The Parks
The last thing you need to be worrying about after you have arrived is where to park your car.
On this map, I have added all the main theme parks and water parks locations with their parking entrance locations, so your sat nav will take you to the correct parking location for each park. Each park has 3 options you can click: Google Maps, Waze and What3Words.
Please feel free to save these locations for future use on your mobile device.
To save on potentially expensive data use while in America, download your map for offline use onto your device while you’re still in the UK or using wifi.
Mobile coverage is fine in the greater Orlando area generally, but it can become patchy the further out you go, particularly south of Kissimmee where the majority of local Airboat operators are.
Hollywood Studios Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Blizard Beach Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
EPCOT Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Magic Kingdom Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Universal North Campus Parking
Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay all share the same parking garages. Studios & Islands are a short walk through CityWalk. Volcano Bay is a short bus ride away from Level 1 in the car park.
Epic Universe Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Seaworld Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Aquatica Orlando Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Discovery Cove Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Animal Kingdom Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Typhoon Lagoon Parking
Click a link below to get directions directly to the parking lot toll booth in your chosen navigation app
Disney Springs Parking
Disney Springs has multiple parking lots. The links here are for the popular Lime Garage because it is central to everything.
Disney World Parking
$35 Standard Parking
$50 - $60 Preferred
Disney World Daily Parking Charge
One charge per vehicle per day, keep your receipt if park hopping. On-site guests do not pay to park at either their hotel or the parks. Water parks and Disney Springs parking is free as standard.
Universal Parking
$35 Standard Parking
$50 - $60 Preferred
Universal Orlando Daily Parking Charge
One charge per vehicle per day regardless of where you're staying. Parking is free after 6 pm on non-event nights. Pre pay in the app for a $3 discount.
United Parks Parking
$35 (Pre-Booked) Standard
$50 -$60 Preferred
United Parks Daily Parking Charge
One charge per vehicle per day, keep your receipt if park hopping. The steepest parking charges of all operators but a 2 week unlimited ticket usually includes parking.
Legoland Florida Parking
$35 Standard Parking
$50 - $60 Preferred
Legoland Florida Daily Parking Charge
Parks and hotels are all central to each other. Overnight hotel parking is $33 plus tax.
Driving Differences In The United States
Driving in the U.S.A. may seem intimidating at first glance, but you soon get used to driving on the wrong side of the road. Remember these key differences.
Red Lights
If a junction is clear, you are permitted to turn right, even on a red as long as there isn't a sign saying otherwise. Motorists are quick to remind you!
School Buses
I get the logic but it still feels strange. You are going to get into a lot of trouble if you overtake a school bus displaying a stop sign, no matter how slow it is going.
Stop Signs
4-way stop signs are everywhere, but the rules are easy to remember. The first person to arrive has the right-of-way. If the sign is flashing, give way to your left.
Parking
Don't reverse park, you could get a fine. Also, don't park within 5 meters of a fire hydrant or block a driveway. No parking on any path or facing the wrong way on the street.
Downloadable Maps
Lake Buena Vista
A simplified map of Walt Disney World, which sits in the Lake Buena Vista area of Greater Orlando.
Orlando Area
An overview of the whole area so you can see how Lake Buena Vista, International Drive and Kissimmee relate to each other.
International Drive
The main tourism corridor for Orlando, International Drive has many attractions trying to temp you from the main parks.
Maps
The maps above are a little outdated, still showing Wet N Wild, for instance, but they are still handy to get an idea of where the main theme parks are in relation to each other.
Driving In Orlando
Frequently Asked Questions
