Car rental in Orlando

Picking up your car at Orlando airport

At Orlando International Airport (MCO) the rental companies are inside the airport: you don't need any shuttle to reach the desk.

If you land at Terminal A or B, after baggage claim you go down to the rental car level, on the ground floor of the main building. The desks are there, and you collect the car from the terminal parking garage, a short walk away.

If your flight arrives at Terminal C, the newest one, the rental companies have their desks and cars in the parking building connected to that terminal. Your voucher shows where yours is.

A question we get often: we don't offer meet-and-greet at the terminal door. We only work with the airport's official rental companies, which is what guarantees the car is there, the contract is right and you have support if something happens.

What you need to pick up the car

There are three things, and all three are mandatory. Without any of them the rental company won't hand over the car.

A credit card in the main driver's name. The rental company blocks a security deposit on it. Debit cards, cash and someone else's card are not accepted.

A physical, valid driver's license. Your home license works while you're there as a tourist. A license on your phone, photos or copies won't work.

A valid passport. The minimum age is 19 (it can vary by rental company or category), and drivers aged 19 to 24 pay a young driver fee. There's no maximum age. That's why we ask your age before quoting.

Orlando tolls and the rental company's toll pass

Orlando has a lot of toll roads. The fast roads out of the airport, the one to the coast and Kennedy Space Center, and Florida's Turnpike to Miami all have tolls, and it's hard to plan a trip without using them.

Almost all tolls are electronic: a gantry reads the car as you drive through and the charge comes later. On many stretches there's no booth and you can't pay cash. Florida's system is called SunPass, and rental companies have their own pass linked to the car's license plate.

Rental companies offer two options: pay for each toll you drive through, plus an admin fee for each day you use one, or a toll pass with a daily rate that covers every toll.

In Orlando, the rental company's toll pass is the way to go. You know up front what you'll pay and there are no surprises weeks later. The pass is added and paid at the desk. Rates vary by company, so we confirm them along with your quote.

Which category suits a family trip

Orlando is a family trip, with big suitcases and plenty of shopping. What people underestimate most is trunk space, especially on the way back.

For four people, the most popular choice is a midsize or full-size SUV: the suitcases and the outlet bags fit without a fight.

For five or more, a 7 or 8 seat minivan is the best option. Sliding doors are a blessing with kids, and with every row in use the trunk is still useful, something a 7-seat SUV doesn't always manage.

If you're traveling with small children, ask us for a baby seat or booster when you book. We guarantee the category, not the exact model: the rental company assigns it at pickup.

The parks: Disney, Universal and parking

With your own car you plan the days at your own pace: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, the outlets and the supermarket, without relying on transfers or ride-hailing apps, which add up fast for a family over several days.

The parks charge daily parking, and many hotels charge for parking too. It's worth keeping in mind when you compare hotels.

At Magic Kingdom you don't park at the gate: you leave the car in the main lot and continue by monorail or ferry to the entrance. At Universal the parking areas are large garages, and you walk from there to the parks. Allow for that extra time in the morning.

Day trips from Orlando and one-way rentals

Orlando sits in the middle of Florida, so everything is within reach. About an hour away you have Kennedy Space Center and the Atlantic coast beaches.

Heading west on I-4, you reach Tampa and the beaches of Clearwater in a couple of hours. It works as a day trip or a weekend away.

Many people combine Orlando with Miami: it's about four hours on the Turnpike, with tolls. You can pick up in Orlando and drop off in Miami, or the other way round. The rental company charges a one-way fee, and we include it in your quote.

Driving in Orlando: what to know

I-4 gets heavy traffic at rush hour and has roadworks on several stretches. To get to the parks in the morning, leave early and use Waze or Google Maps.

In summer it rains almost every afternoon, with short, heavy storms. If you can't see well, slow down and turn your lights on.

Gas stations are self-service. Many pumps ask for a US ZIP code to pay by card. If yours doesn't go through, you pay inside at the register before filling up.

The most expensive mistakes

Skipping the toll pass. The tolls still arrive, weeks later, with an admin fee on each one. Fines and tolls are on you, even if they arrive after you're home.

Returning the car without a full tank. The rental company charges for missing fuel at a much higher price than a gas station. Fill up near the airport and keep the receipt.

Signing without reading. Extras such as roadside assistance or GPS are sometimes offered at the desk, and they end up in the contract you sign. They're paid there and aren't refundable. If something doesn't match your booking, message us before signing.