Orlando Airport

Where Can You Get Cash?
A regional US Bank, SunTrust, seems to have the only regular ‘bank’ ATM machines at this airport. They also have a full bank branch, located on Side A near the food court and between the JetBlue and AirTran ticket counters.

A few other private company ATM machines are located in out of the way places as well (watch those fees!). In fact, three of us walked around the entire airport, and only found 2 more. If you find any others, let us know!

The first one we found was near the security gates on side B, next to the Fox Sports restaurant and under the stairway of the Chili’s Too restaurant.

The second ATM is next to Starbucks on the A side, next to a line of sit-down telephone booths.

Here’s where we didn’t find any., but expected to: the food court, the baggage area, and the ticket counter areas. Not finding area in the baggage area was the most surprising. We expected that a lot of people would want case before leaving the airport, but we didn’t see any.

We didn’t have a ticket to go anywhere, so we couldn’t check the departure areas. We will soon, though.

Telephones

Most people will have cellphones, but if you need a pay telephone, we found two areas where you won’t have to wait. The first is near Starbucks Coffee (see ATM note above). The other is the baggage area, which has a LOT of telephones.

We have the really useful information pages

about this airport when you need a

• Have a laptop? There are electrical outlets everywhere. Charge up while you can.
• There are free and pay-for-use wireless areas for mobile computers.
• You can buy Disneyworld and Disney cruise tickets inside the airport.
• If you know a UCF student or AAA member, you can get cheaper Universal tickets.
• Security is getting tighter, so be sure to take the batteries out of camcorders, etc.
• If you take a laptop or cellphone through security, turn it on first.
• The tourists are the people wearing Mouse Ears.
• Taking a train to your gate? Go as far to the front as you can. Saves time getting off.
• United Airlines, Delta, and US Airways have lounges in the airport for members.
• Northwest and Continental club members can use the Delta lounge.
• If you have a Platinum American Express card, you can use the Delta lounge for free.
• Also, a Priority Pass card would get you into 2 clubs.
• You can rent a personal DVD player and movies from InMotion in the airport or online.
• Or, if your laptop has a DVD drive, there’s always Netflix.

For Visitors Only

Here are some tips for when you visit Orlando.

To dial a local number, use all 10 digits, just like in a big city.
The local area codes are 407 (most common) and 321 (newer).
Winter Park, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, and Maitland are nearby.
Disneyworld and Universal Studios = Southwest corner of Orlando.
528, 417, and 408 are toll roads. I-4 is not, but it’s usually slower.
The 528 is called the Beeline Expressway, and goes I-4 – airport.
The 417 is called the Greeneway, and connects to 528 in the south.
The Greenway also connects to Disneyworld, and I-4 in 2 places.
The 408 is usually called the East-West Expressway.
The 408 connects I-4, Downtown, and U. of Central Florida (UCF).
Toll roads usually have higher speed limits.
Try to stay off I-4 between 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM. Trust me on this.
You may need a jacket, but never snow boots.
Orlando is a familiy-friendly destination. There is no casino.

Free Hotel Shuttle Buses

Free shuttles are typically offered by hotels located near the airport as a convenience to their guests, and sometimes by certain hotels further away.

The absolute easiest hotel to reach from the airport is the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, which is located, you guessed it, right inside the airport. It’s a nice, quiet hotel, as good as any Hyatt you’ll find. If you are staying in Orlando on business, and it’s a very short trip, this is your best bet… no shuttles, no rental cars to return, and if you are arriving late at night, you can walk off the plane and right into bed.

However, if you are looking for something better suited to a longer stay or a lighter wallet, you can ride for free if you are staying at one of the following hotels. We have sorted them by company, since many travelers belong to frequent-guest programs and like to maximize their points.

TIP: These shuttles carry passengers… (more…)

Limousines

Many people think of limousines as long black cars used for very special occasions. And they are. An airport limousine (find a reasonably-priced one here) is not that kind of vehicle. Instead, it is usually (but not always) a large car with a driver, nothing more. Typically, it is a Lincoln or Cadillac, or something a bit cheaper. It will not have alcohol or special features like television or DVD movies. It is simply a big car with a driver.When do people use limousines instead of buses or taxis? When they are willing to spend more in order to have a knowledgeable local person pick them up at the airport and do the driving, or when four or more people are traveling together. If you are traveling with 3-5 other people, a limousine is usually cheaper than a taxi, or even a bus. It will also be more comfortable, and you don’t have to compete with other travelers to get one, since you can order them before you arrive; just tell the limo company your flight number and arrival time, and the driver will be waiting for you next to the baggage carousel, holding a sign with your name on it.

TIP: It is customary to tip the driver, 10% is fine.

Mears (mentioned in the Bus section) also offers big (8 passenger) limousines and 11 passenger vans, for $120 or less, to and from the airport from just about anywhere.

Their smaller cars, called Luxury Sedans, will hold fewer passengers, but also cost less, $40 to $60 between the airport and Disney and other popular locations.

When it comes to buses to and from the airport, there are two names to remember: Lynx, and Mears. Lynx is the city’s public transportation bus line, and Mears is a private company that owns the bus franchise for Orlando International.

The Lynx buses are located on Level 1 of the main terminal (the “A” side). Look for the parking spots marked A25, A26, and A27. They will take you to Downtown Orlando and International Drive every 30 minutes or so on the half-hour, from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM.

Riding Lynx is cheap (abut US $1.50 each trip), but slow. It takes 40 minutes to get downtown, and an hour to get to International Drive (also known as I-Drive). They will also take you to the Pine Street station for Greyhound, if you trip is going to take you beyond Orlando. Take bus 11 or 51 for Greyhound.

Mears is the largest bus company operating out of Orlando International Airport, in parking slots A5-A6, A30-A31, B3-B4, B32-B33. You can buy a ride for between 10 and 23 dollars each way, depending on how far you want to travel. Round trip tickets are available for $12 to $14 for Disney, Universal Studios, Seaworld, and other metropolitan attractions, and $21 for Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast.

In any airport, there are two types of car rental options, the companies that have reservations desks inside the airport, and the ones who do not.

TIP: Expect your bus ride to the car rental parking lot to take about 10 minutes. If you have a cellphone, this is a good time to call your hotel and confim your room, or call your family to say you arrived. We tested all six cellphone company’s signal strengths, and they were all good.

At the airport…

All the major car rental agencies, and many smaller ones, serve Orlando International (more…)

For trips longer than a few days, there are reasonably priced Orlando airport long term parking lots offsite where you can park your car in a vast parking lot for extended periods. These parking businesses provide free transportation between the parking lot and the airport’s arrivals/departures areas. Follow the signs for long-term parking, or try this site about parking . Fees range between 5 and 8 dollars per day. Make sure you take attractive valuables (like radar detectors and stereo faceplates) with you when you leave the car. For shorter trips, more expensive parking is available within walking distance of the terminals. Expect to pay between 12 and 24 dollars per day, with charges assessed for 30 minute increments.

TIP: For the same price, you can use Terminal Top Parking, which is exactly what it sounds like… parking on top of a terminal. This is the closest parking you can get at Orlando airport… just park your car, and take an elevator down into the main terminals. You’ll exit the elevator near the d_parture day spa. However, it’s best to try this very early in the morning, or at night. It’s usually crowded during the day. To get to Terminal Top Parking, just follow the signs for short-term parking / Hyatt Hotel Parking.

TIP: If you live in Florida and parking your own car, you can use your Sunpass or Epass now, instead of getting a ticket to enter the parking garages.

Getting Dropped Off

If someone is driving you to the airport, either a friend or a drop-off service like an airport bus or limo, you have two options. If you need to give your luggage to the airline, be sure you are dropped off at that airlines Departures door. And if you can check your luggage to a Skycap desk outside, we recommend you do so. It is usually faster than waiting in line inside.

If you only have carry-on luggage, you can take advantage of the design of the airport by getting dropped at Terminal A, no matter which airline you are using. It’s the shortest distance to either terminal. In a rush? This could save you several minutes as you run to your gate.

Ground Transportation at Orlando International Airport