Car rental at Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Compare car hire at Orlando International, where the main brands have counters in the terminals and cars in the garages next door.

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Renting a car at MCO

Orlando International is the gateway to Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld and the rest of Central Florida, and for most visitors a car is close to essential. The theme parks are spread across a wide area south-west of the airport, typically around half an hour's drive away, and a car also opens up day trips to the Kennedy Space Center, the Atlantic beaches at Cocoa Beach, the Gulf Coast around Tampa and Clearwater, and Florida's freshwater springs.

Rental demand in Orlando follows school holidays closely, peaking around Easter, the summer break, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and minivans, seven-seat SUVs and convertibles are the first to go. When you compare car rental here, check how each company charges for tolls, child seats and additional drivers, because these extras vary widely and can matter more to the final cost than the daily rate. Theme park parking is charged separately, so factor that in too.

Where to pick up your car

MCOOrlando International Airport

Orlando is one of the easiest US airports for car rental because most major brands are on site. At Terminals A and B, the rental counters are on Level 1, the ground transportation level, and the cars are in the parking garages directly across from the terminal, a short walk away. Terminal C has its own rental counters, with cars in the Terminal C garage. Off-airport companies collect customers by shuttle from the ground transportation level. Check which terminal your airline uses and that your rental is booked at the same one. Bring your licence, your passport if visiting from abroad, and a credit card in the main driver's name.

Driving around Orlando: what to know

  • Many Central Florida highways are toll roads, including SR 528 (the Beachline) right outside the airport, SR 417 and Florida's Turnpike, and many toll points no longer take cash. Without a transponder, tolls are billed by plate, and rental companies pass them on through their own toll programmes, often with daily fees.
  • I-4 is the main artery between Downtown Orlando, the attractions and Tampa, and it's often congested at rush hour and around park opening and closing times. Build in extra time, and use SR 417 or SR 429 to bypass the worst of it where they suit your route.
  • Summer brings near-daily afternoon thunderstorms with sudden heavy rain. Slow down, switch on your headlights (Florida requires them when your wipers are on for rain) and pull off safely if visibility drops. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
  • Florida's Move Over law requires you to change lanes or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks and, since 2024, any disabled vehicle showing hazard lights. Right turns on red are allowed after stopping unless signed, and you must stop for school buses with their stop arm out.

Tips to avoid extra charges

  • Check whether the Visitor Toll Pass, a free hangtag run by the Central Florida Expressway Authority for MCO rental customers, is operating and works with your rental company. It charges actual toll rates instead of rental programme fees, but you must decline the company's toll package correctly.
  • Florida law requires children aged five and under to ride in a crash-tested child restraint. Rental companies charge per day for seats, so families on longer trips sometimes bring their own.
  • International visitors should look for rates that include a collision damage waiver and supplemental liability insurance, as basic US liability cover can be minimal and adding cover at the counter can cost more.
  • Refuel a few miles from the airport rather than at the closest stations, which often charge more, and allow time on your last day to find the rental return lanes in the airport garages.

Orlando Airport on the map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Car rental at Orlando Airport: questions and answers

Are the rental cars at Orlando Airport on site?

For most major brands, yes. At Terminals A and B, counters are on Level 1 and the cars are in the garages across the road, a short walk away. Terminal C has its own counters and garage. Some smaller and budget companies are off-airport and collect customers by shuttle from the ground transportation level.

Do I need SunPass for an Orlando rental car?

You'll almost certainly use toll roads, and many no longer accept cash, so you need a plan. Options include the rental company's toll programme, which usually adds fees, a compatible transponder from home, or a visitor toll pass if one is available. Without any of these, tolls are billed by plate and passed on with the company's charges.

How long does it take to drive from Orlando Airport to Disney World?

Usually around 30 minutes, depending on where you're staying and the traffic, via SR 417 or SR 528 and I-4. Both main routes involve tolls. Universal and International Drive are slightly closer. Allow extra time at busy arrival periods and during weekday rush hours.

Can I drop the car off at another Florida airport?

Usually yes. One-way rentals between Orlando and Miami, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale are common, but one-way fees vary widely between companies and seasons, so compare the full price. Check the toll arrangements too, as South Florida's highways are almost entirely cashless.

What do I need to rent a car at Orlando Airport as a UK visitor?

Your full UK photocard licence, passport and a credit card in the main driver's name. An International Driving Permit isn't normally required with a UK licence in Florida, though some companies recommend one. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young-driver surcharge, and some car categories are restricted to older drivers.

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Before you pick up: the airport car rental checklist

Deposits, excess, fuel policy and the photos to take before you drive off.

Read the checklist