

When visiting Orlando, one of the major planning issues and possible expenses is transportation. It’s less of a concern if you are going to one resort and staying put (say to Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort and staying on-site, as they have frogtastic free resort transportation choices on property). But what if you want to hop around and see other parks or engage in other things to do in Orlando outside of the theme parks? Should you rent a car? Use ride-sharing services? Are there shuttles or trains? Now that Disney's Magical Express airport service has ended, let’s go over the Orlando transportation choices to help you find the fastest and easiest way to get around that also protects your wallet. Let's save that vacation budget for fun stuff like churros and souvenirs!

Our Hoppin' Guide to Orlando Transportation
If you are not driving to Orlando, here are your other options for hopping around the theme parks and the Orlando area. Even if you bring your own car, sometimes it's nice to sit back and enjoy the ride instead of being the head driver or navigator on your vacation time.
The main airport that most visitors will fly into is Orlando International Airport (MCO). It's approximately 10 miles from Universal and 25 miles to Disney World. Some visitors may fly into Orlando Sanford (SFB), which is about 35 miles from Universal and about 50 miles from Disney World. The transportation options vary depending on which airport you fly into.
Car Rental
Orlando car rentals vary greatly in price depending on when you visit and how far in advance you book. For example, you might be able to find a car for about $20 per day for an economy car during an off time in January, but pay more like $200 per day for the same car between Christmas and New Year’s! It varies greatly per day, but you can always find a hoppin’ deal when you book a car rental through Undercover Tourist (you'll save even more if you bundle a car rental with a hotel reservation). Ribbit!
Even if you find a good car rental deal, your hotel may charge a daily rate to park there, so factor that cost in. Plus if you visit other theme parks not associated with your hotel, you’ll have to pay a parking fee at the parks. So consider how much driving you plan to do. If you will be hopping all over Orlando, a rental car gives you the freedom and a known budget.
One way to avoid the parking fee when renting a car is to rent a car from the airport to the hotel and return it at the resort. Then, rent a car for the trip home and return it to the airport. Just be sure there are no fees for dropping it off at a different location. Check the return trip prices before you go book the first rental from the airport to make sure it suits your budget.
Remember to consider fuel costs and whether you’ll encounter any tolls — and keep in mind that some Orlando toll areas only accept exact change or may be toll-by-plate only. Most rental car companies now offer the option of paying tolls through usage-based programs. Each company has its own separate fees that vary widely, and some may automatically enroll you if you drive on a toll road, so be sure to research the company's policies to avoid potentially excessive charges. You also have the option to buy a SunPass transponder yourself, and you can receive a refund for your unused balance once you close the account. Or you can bring your own from home, if applicable — for instance, E-ZPass is accepted in Central Florida (but is not available throughout the rest of the state).
If you choose not to get a transponder and then find yourself on a toll road, you can download the E-PASS app or pay by phone at 1 (800) 353-7277. If you froget to pay your toll, you'll receive the toll fee and a fine from your rental car company. Oops! We learned that the hard way.
Another option that may save you money and a headache is to get Uni (formerly named E-PASS Xtra). This pass allows you to travel through 19 states with just one toll account while saving over the cash and toll-by-plate rates. There are no annual or monthly account fees, but there is a cost to activate the prepaid toll account.
You can move Uni from car to car, including your rental car. It is compatible with E-PASS, SunPass, LeeWay, PeachPass, NC QuickPass, E-ZPass, RiverLink, I-PASS and SunPass Pro toll systems. You can purchase Uni online, through the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon or by calling 1(800) 353-7277. Uni works on all tolls and most bridges in the following 19 states:
- Delaware
- Florida (including express lanes)
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- West Virginia
If you fly into MCO and do not plan to leave the theme park areas, you can get by without encountering any toll roads. If you venture out to do other things, factor in the toll issue. When you fly into SFB, taking the 417 turnpike (with tolls) can save traffic over I-4.
Even though some hotels offer on-site car rentals, these cars are available at premium prices that are much higher than the airport rental locations.
The plus side of renting is convenience, not sharing space with other passengers, being able to take longer car trips to, say, airboats or the coast, and managing your own child car seats.
- Pros of car rental are convenience, knowing your costs and not having to make extra stops. Plus if you stay at a Disney World property, you can get free parking at Disney theme park lots and your hotel.
- Cons are that you may find that you do not need a car much, or you may need to navigate and deal with the stress of parking and/or traffic when you do drive. Watch out for tolls or parking fees at hotels and theme parks.
Ride-Sharing Services
If you use the Universal CityWalk parking garage as a pick-up location, there will be an extra $4 charge when using Uber. But you will not pay that charge if you are dropped off at the garage, or if you are picked up or dropped off at a Universal hotel. So choose your location carefully!
If you are using a ride-sharing service and you want to make a quick stop at the store, you can usually talk to your driver and add a stop to your visit. It may be cheaper and is definitely faster than taking a trip to the store and taking a separate trip back to the hotel.
If you have small tadpoles, you’ll have car seats to worry about. You can request a ride with a car seat, but it can usually accommodate one child in a car seat. So if you have two little ones requiring seats, this may not be the best option for you. Plus you’ll pay extra for a larger car to accommodate the seat. Those costs can add up over multiple uses.
Disney also offers an on-site rideshare option called Minnie Van. The Minnie Van service operates through Lyft but is more limited in its area of service; a Minnie Van will only take you around Walt Disney World Resort. On the upside, the Minnie Van is the only ride-sharing service able to take you directly to your campsite or cabin at Fort Wilderness (for regular Uber or Lyft rides, you meet near the Outpost instead and would then need to take the internal bus system, walk, bike or hop on the golf cart back to your site or cabin). Minnie Vans are driven by actual cast members and generally have several car seat options available. They can also fit larger parties, and there are wheelchair accessible vehicles available too. The downside is the price, which starts at around $25. We find that the Minnie Van service is especially "worth it" for larger families or those with several tadpoles to buckle in. In our experience, the service has been exceptional but used for special occasions.
If you are flying into SFO, you'll pay more on Uber and Lyft than if flying into MCO because it's farther away. Budget $60 each way.
- Pros of ride-sharing services are convenience, and this option can be quick. You'll get direct door-to-door service for the most part.
- Cons are dealing with child car seats, surge pricing and potential add-on fees or unpredictability. Large families will need larger and more expensive vehicles.
Shuttles
Are there any shuttles to get you around Orlando? You may look into either airport shuttles (from MCO) or shuttles that transport you between theme park areas or from hotel to theme park. Find out if your hotel offers shuttles to the theme parks. Some off-site hotels have free theme park shuttles.
One of the popular ways to travel between Walt Disney World and the Orlando (MCO) airport used to be Disney's Magical Express, but this free service has since ended. However, Mears, the company that operated the Magical Express, offers a similar paid service, "Mears Connect."
The "Mears Connect" service offers direct express service between the airport and Disney World Resort. This will fill the void Magical Express leaves behind. Guests can expect the following:
- Scheduled service
- Luggage handling
- Airport terminal staging
- Return trips from resorts to the airport
These services have a fee. Mears will also continue to provide transportation to all theme parks in the area, such as Universal and SeaWorld Orlando. You can see the Mears attraction transportation options here.
The Sunshine Flyer has merged with Mears Connect to become "Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine." It offers 24/7 service, express options and private trips to Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney still offers other free transportation options once you're at the resort — Skyliner, monorail, boats and buses. Universal Orlando also offers free transportation options between its parks and hotels with its water taxis and shuttle buses. But what if you want to visit SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida Resort or take a day at Discovery Cove or go on an airboat? There are a few limited options.
If you have a ticket for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, your park ticket gets you FREE transportation from select Orlando locations with Mears Taxi service. We love free stuff! Call (407) 422-2222 or book online. You will have to get yourself to and from the Orlando pick-up locations, but that is going to be a lot less money than getting any other ride from Orlando to Tampa Bay.
Are you staying along International Drive? The I-RIDE Trolley connects the ICON Park, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, the Orlando International Premium Outlets and the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. Both single-ride fares and unlimited-ride passes are available daily at low costs.
- Pros of shuttles are they can be convenient, sometimes free and you do not have to worry about car seats.
- Cons are price per person may add up, transportation may take extra time, and shuttles may fill up and leave you waiting ... and waiting.
LYNX Bus
If you are comfortable with public transportation and a bit of a walk at times, the LYNX bus system can get you to or near the theme parks. The #300 travels between the Walt Disney World Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney Springs Transfer Center and the LYNX Central Station. When traveling between Disney World and Universal, the #303 runs between locations on the Disney World property and Universal Orlando parking garage. If you're trying to get to SeaWorld, the #8 has stops along Central Florida Parkway, both at International Drive and Westwood Boulevard — both which will put you about 20 minutes from the park entrance. Schedules may vary by day.
- Pros of the LYNX bus are that it's affordable transportation.
- Cons are drop-off locations may not be close to park entrances. It's a more local way of getting around. That means it's less glamorous and vacation-friendly than options designed specifically for theme parkgoers.
Brightline Railway
Woot! Woot! All aboard! Orlando is becoming more accessible to South Florida beach residents and vacationers. Brightline has constructed a new rail line that brings passengers from Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach to Orlando. Service from the new Orlando Airport station began Sept. 22, 2023.
Brightline is offering one-way SMART fares, starting at $39. Right now, you can enjoy 50% off Kid fares for tadpoles between 2 and 12 years old with the purchase of any Adult SMART fare! SMART service offers a business-class option with leather seats, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, multiple power and USB outlets and food and drink for purchase. The train will top speeds at 125 mph with an expected travel time of approximately two hours from West Palm Beach to Orlando. This is truly a game-changer in terms of Orlando transportation.
- Pros of the railway is that provides fast and relaxing transportation from South Florida to Central Florida.
- Cons are it only serves Orlando and South Florida areas.
Hopfully, we've shed some light on your Orlando transportation options. We know it's a tough decision to make with many factors. If you decide to spring for a car rental, bundle it when you book your hotel reservation to save up to 50 percent! You'll prepay when you reserve, but you can cancel for free for stress-free travel planning. Don't froget that you can save on Orlando theme park tickets when you purchase through Undercover Tourist! Ribbit!
Related: Rent or Ride? Car Rental Considerations for Your Orlando Vacation
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Disney Skyliner at Disney World
Keep hopping!