Getting around · Orlando · United States
Getting around Orlando
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: TheWanderingTraders, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Orlando is spread out and car-oriented. The theme parks lie 20–35 km south-west of Downtown, and Disney and Universal each run their own internal transport. Many visitors rent a car; others rely on resort shuttles, Disney's free transport and rideshare. Not essential if you stay at Disney or Universal and focus on their parks, but a car makes it much easier to move between resorts, eat off-site and reach Kennedy Space Center, the springs and the coast.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Car
- Airports
- MCO, SFB
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- Disney transportation
Ways to get around
Car
A rental car gives the most flexibility for moving between Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and day trips. Several major highways are toll roads, and the theme parks charge for parking.
Ask your rental company how tolls are billed; toll-by-plate charges and admin fees add up quickly.
Bus
Disney's free buses connect its hotels, parks and Disney Springs, and LYNX public buses serve International Drive, Downtown and Kissimmee, though slowly.
Cable car
The Disney Skyliner gondola links EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with several Disney resort hotels.
Train
The Disney monorail circles the Seven Seas Lagoon and runs to EPCOT, SunRail commuter trains link Downtown with Winter Park and Kissimmee, and Brightline runs from Orlando International Airport to South Florida.
Boat
Disney boats link Magic Kingdom with lakeside hotels and Disney Springs, and Universal's water taxis connect its hotels with CityWalk.
Ride-hailing
Rideshare is widely used between resort areas and for evenings out, and is usually far quicker than public buses.
Tickets and passes
Disney transportation
Disney's buses, monorail, boats and Skyliner are free to use between Disney parks, hotels and Disney Springs.
Lightning Lane and Universal Express
Paid queue-skipping options at the Disney and Universal parks; prices vary by date and demand, and some Universal hotels include express access.
From the airport
Orlando International (MCO) is about 15 km south-east of Downtown and 30–40 minutes by road from Disney and Universal. Options include rideshare, taxis, rental cars, shared shuttles and LYNX buses, and Brightline trains to South Florida leave from the airport's Terminal C. Orlando Sanford (SFB), about 50 km north-east, mainly handles low-cost and charter flights.
Do you need a car?
Not essential if you stay at Disney or Universal and focus on their parks, but a car makes it much easier to move between resorts, eat off-site and reach Kennedy Space Center, the springs and the coast.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex | About 1 hour by car | Car or organised tour |
| Cocoa Beach | About 1 hour by car | Car |
| Blue Spring State Park | About 45 minutes by car | Car |
| St. Augustine | About 2 hours by car | Car |
| LEGOLAND Florida | About 1 hour by car | Car |
| Bok Tower Gardens | About 1.25 hours by car | Car |
| Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | About 1.5 hours by car | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Orlando?
Not essential if you stay at Disney or Universal and focus on their parks, but a car makes it much easier to move between resorts, eat off-site and reach Kennedy Space Center, the springs and the coast.
+How do you get from the airport to Orlando?
Orlando International (MCO) is about 15 km south-east of Downtown and 30–40 minutes by road from Disney and Universal. Options include rideshare, taxis, rental cars, shared shuttles and LYNX buses, and Brightline trains to South Florida leave from the airport's Terminal C. Orlando Sanford (SFB), about 50 km north-east, mainly handles low-cost and charter flights.
+What is the best way to get around Orlando?
Car: A rental car gives the most flexibility for moving between Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and day trips. Several major highways are toll roads, and the theme parks charge for parking.