How to get to Orlando

The easiest way to get to Orlando is by plane (unless you’re traveling from Florida or its environs.) Theme park fans, take heart – Orlando International Airport (MCO) is conveniently located near the parks and other attractions in the city. While there are other airports in the area, most people prefer to fly directly into this airport on account of its central location.

Once a humble airfield built by the American army in the 1940’s, Orlando International Airport was considered one of the busiest airports in the United States in 2021.

You’ll find global carriers as well as domestic giants such as Delta and American Airlines and while far-flung global destinations may be tough to get to, you’ll still be well served for the most part, whatever your needs.

Once at the airport, the recently launched Brightline High Speed Train will link you to places like South Florida, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami with ease.

I would argue that there are better ways to get into Orlando than by car but hey, it still tends to reign supreme amongst travelers to Orlando.

Coming from Miami, expect a 3-hour drive (without traffic,) though realistically, it usually takes 4-5 hours unless you’re traveling in the dead of night. If you’re coming from South Florida, you can take Florida’s Turnpike directly into Orlando, hitting places like Kissimmee first (which is great if you’re here for the theme parks as this is where most of them are located.) Travelers commuting from the north will probably want to get in on the I-95.

If you don’t come powered by your own set of wheels, you will find a good selection of rentals all around Orlando, the airport included.

Getting to and from Orlando by bus can be tricky—several bus providers, such as Flix Bus, service the area from other destinations. However, the pick-ups and drop-offs can be irregular and scattered throughout the city. Most bus stops are along Orange Avenue, north to Downtown Orlando and south to the theme parks. There are stops, however, that will leave you far away from anything recognisable. If you’re flying into Orlando International Airport and need to take a bus, the Lynx (Orlando’s mass public transport bus service) is your best bet. Boasting over 84 routes and 4,441 stops, it also offers a Disney direct commuter service directly from the airport to the theme parks for a meager 2 bucks. The Lynx morphs into the LYMMO in Downtown Orlando, which you’ll be pleased to read is free of charge within this part of town. If you’re looking for curb-to-curb bus service with advanced reservation options, the NeighborLink community circulator is a great option.

Services like the high-speed Brightline Bullet Train are making Orlando a thrilling destination to get to by public transport. Linking commuters with many places in South Florida, like Boca Raton and Aventura, in less than three hours, The Brightline beats sitting in traffic if you’re traveling from the south or vice versa. Tickets range from $79 for economy one-way service to $149 for business class services. One of the highlights of The Brightline train is its stop at Orlando International Airport, which is both functional as well as modern.

The other form of getting to Orlando by train is via Amtrak. Services are friendlier on your pocket, but travel times are almost doubled. As an example, a trip to New York, via Amtrak can be over 24 hours.

Cruise ship visitors can take a shuttle from Port Canaveral to Orlando International Airport. Tickets usually cost below $30 (one way) and the journey is straightforward in both directions Though there are several shuttle providers, they mostly all charge the same price.

If you’re planning a trip to Florida from another state, all you need is a valid government ID to enter the state. It is important to note that all forms of transportation require some form of identification for the booking process. If you’re coming from outside the country, your requirements may vary depending on your home country. Some countries may require a special tourist visa if they are not a part of the Visa Waiver Program. To obtain more information, I recommend visiting our Travel Restrictions page. Safe travels.