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This Orlando airport guide covers what you need to know before you fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO): which terminal your airline uses, how the trams link them, where your ride picks you up, what parking costs and how early to reach security. MCO handled nearly 58 million passengers in 2025, according to the airport, so a little planning saves real time.
Details come from the airport’s website (flymco.com) and operators’ official sites, checked in October 2026. Gates, rates and construction schedules change, so confirm them for your dates.
Quick answer: Terminals A and B are the two halves of MCO’s main terminal, used by Southwest, Frontier, American, Delta, United and most domestic airlines. Terminal C, a 4-minute Terminal Link ride south, serves JetBlue, Porter and most long-haul international airlines. Rideshare picks up on Level 2 at A and B and Level 6 at C, garage parking costs $24 per 24 hours, and the airport asks you to reach security 2 hours before departure.
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Orlando airport guide: Terminals A, B and C explained
Check your terminal first, because MCO’s two buildings are not next to each other. Terminals A and B are the two sides of one building on the north side of the airport (it’s only about 525 feet across), and you can cross between them on Level 3, the check-in level. Terminal C opened in 2022 on the south side, next to the train station, and has since added a wing with Gates C250 to C254.
| Terminal | Main airlines (examples) | Gates |
|---|---|---|
| A | Southwest, Frontier, Avelo | 1–29 and 70–129 |
| B | American, Delta, United, Alaska, Allegiant, Breeze, Air Canada, WestJet, LATAM | 1–99 |
| C | JetBlue, Porter, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus, Emirates, Azul, Copa | C230–C254 |
The A and B gates sit in four airsides (Gates 1–29, 30–59, 70–99 and 100–129) that you reach by Gate Link tram after security. Use the checkpoint that matches your gate number: west for Gates 1–59, or east, under the Hyatt Regency, for Gates 70–129. Your check-in side doesn’t decide your gate: Southwest checks in at Terminal A but uses Gates 70–129. Terminal C is simpler, with one checkpoint on Level 2 for every gate.
Airline assignments change, so check the airport’s airlines page before you fly. The airport also plans, in phases and with no switch date published, to rename Terminals A and B “Terminal 1” and Terminal C “Terminal 2”, so watch for new signs.
Getting between terminals: Gate Links, Terminal Link and shuttle bus
- Gate Links: Automated trams from Level 3 of the main terminal to the four airsides. The ride takes only a minute or two.
- Terminal Link: The people mover between Terminal B’s east hall (by the Hotel Atrium, Level 3) and the train station runs 24 hours and takes about 4 minutes. From the station you walk roughly 1,200 feet through Parking Garage C and over the Level 4 bridge into Terminal C.
- Shuttle bus: A 24-hour bus links Terminal C (Level 1, space C272) with Terminal B (Level 1, space B65).
Connecting between Terminal C and Terminals A or B means leaving the secure area and going through security again, so allow extra time. Connections within Terminal C stay airside.
Gate Link work through 2027
MCO is replacing the Gate Link trams to Gates 70–129 from December 2025 to late 2027. The airport’s schedule has the Gates 100–129 lines under work until about December 2026 and the Gates 70–99 lines from December 2026 to around October 2027. Most passengers lose only a few minutes, but at times, especially overnight, you ride a COBUS shuttle bus between airsides instead. The airport suggests adding 30 minutes to your planned rental car or ground transportation pickup time.
Arriving at MCO: baggage claim and where your ride picks up
At Terminals A and B, domestic arrivals ride a Gate Link to Level 3, then go down to baggage claim on Level 2. Rental car counters, shuttles, taxis and buses are on Level 1. Terminal C is upside down by comparison: baggage claim and the pickup curb are on Level 6, and most shuttles leave from Level 1.
| Ride | Terminals A and B | Terminal C |
|---|---|---|
| Family or friends | Level 2 arrivals curb | Level 6 arrivals curb |
| Uber, Lyft, other apps | Level 2 (24 hours); Level 3, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Level 6 arrivals curb |
| Taxis | Level 1 (A22–A25, B30–B34) | Level 6 |
| Mears Connect | Terminal B, Level 1 (B91–B97) | Level 1 |
| Universal SuperStar Shuttle | Terminal A, Level 1 (A30–A33) | Level 1 (C282–C283) |
| Free hotel shuttles | Level 1 (A1–A4, A42–A45, B1–B4, B40) | Level 1 (C270–C271) |
Taxis are metered and carry up to nine people for one fare. The airport’s approximate-rate table, which looks dated, lists $38 to $45 to International Drive or downtown and $52 to $68 to the Disney resorts area, and the meter can come in higher. For Mears Connect fares, Minnie Vans and every other option, see our guide to getting from Orlando airport to Disney World.
Picking someone up? Cars can’t wait at the curb, so use the free cell phone lots and allow at least 20 minutes after landing (40 with checked bags), as the airport suggests.
Flying in from abroad? Terminal C is a “bags first” facility: you collect checked bags before passport control and exit into the meet-and-greet area on Level 6. At the main terminal, international flights arrive at Gates 70–99: you clear customs, collect your bags, put them on the transfer belt to Terminal A or B baggage claim and ride a Gate Link to the main terminal (during the Gate Link work, partly by shuttle bus). Eligible travelers can use Mobile Passport Control or Global Entry kiosks.
Rental cars at MCO and the Visitor Toll Pass
Ten companies rent on airport: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. At Terminals A and B the counters are on Level 1 and the cars are in the terminal garages. At Terminal C the counters are on Level 4 and the cars are in Parking Garage C, and a new Terminal C rental car lobby is scheduled for fall 2026 at last check, so signs there may change.
| Company | Pick-up at A and B | Pick-up at C |
|---|---|---|
| Alamo, Enterprise, National | Garage level R1 | Garage C, level C1 |
| Sixt | Garage level P1 | Garage C, level C1 |
| Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Payless, Thrifty | Garage level R2 | Garage C, level C2 |
Return levels differ by company and terminal (Avis and Budget use R1 at Terminal A but R2 at Terminal B), so follow your company’s return signs. For fuel before the return, the South Travel Plaza on the south entrance road, opposite the train station, has a Shell station and a 7-Eleven.
How the Visitor Toll Pass works
The main expressways out of MCO, SR 528 and SR 417, are cashless toll roads. If you rent from one of the ten on-airport companies and fly in and out of MCO, the free Visitor Toll Pass lets you pay the lowest electronic toll rate:
- Reserve: Book it in the Visitor Toll Pass app. A $10 deposit goes toward your tolls, and there’s no service fee.
- Pick up: Use the vending machines near the rental counters: Level 1 at Terminals A and B (near bag carousel 28B on the B side) or Level 4 at Terminal C.
- Activate: Decline the rental company’s toll program, add your plate in the app and hang the tag from the mirror before you leave.
- Return: Drop it in an airport return box when you fly home. An unreturned pass costs $10, and it covers trips of up to 90 days.
Our guide to Orlando toll roads explains typical toll costs and how rental companies’ toll plans compare.
Brightline, SunRail and LYNX buses from the airport
Brightline‘s Orlando station is part of MCO, on Level 5 of the train station next to Terminal C. The airport lists its hours as 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with trains to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami. From Terminal C, cross the Level 4 pedestrian bridge; from Terminals A and B, ride the Terminal Link. The Discovery and Endeavour surface lots are the closest parking.
Brightline has no stop at Disney, Universal or International Drive, so it matters mostly for a Miami or Fort Lauderdale add-on. SunRail, the commuter train, doesn’t reach the airport: the link is a bus from its Sand Lake Road station, and the airport lists SunRail as running Monday to Friday only.
LYNX city buses leave from Level 1 on the A side (spaces A38–A41) for destinations including Destination Parkway, downtown, the Florida Mall, the convention center, the premium outlets, Sand Lake Road SunRail station and SeaWorld, at $2 a ride or $4.50 for a day pass. It’s slow with luggage but cheap. See getting around Orlando without a car for routes and car-free hotel areas.
How far is MCO from Disney, Universal and the coast?
MCO sits southeast of downtown, closer to Lake Nona than to the theme parks. Distances are road routes from the main terminal; drive times assume light traffic, so allow more at rush hour.
| From MCO to | Road distance | Drive time, light traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Nona | About 10 miles | About 20 min |
| Downtown Orlando | About 12–13 miles | About 25 min |
| Universal Orlando | About 14 miles | About 30 min |
| International Drive (ICON Park) | About 13–14 miles | About 25 min |
| Disney Springs | About 19 miles | About 30–35 min |
| Magic Kingdom parking | About 24 miles | About 40 min |
| Orlando Sanford Airport | About 33 miles | About 45 min |
| Port Canaveral | About 46 miles | About 1 hour |
Cruising? See Orlando to Port Canaveral. Landing at Sanford instead? See hotels near Orlando Sanford Airport. Still choosing a base? Our guide to where to stay in Orlando compares the main areas.
Security at MCO: when to arrive and how to save time
- Arrive 2 hours early: The airport recommends reaching the checkpoint 2 hours before departure and warns that wait times change quickly.
- Book MCO Reserve: Without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+, you can reserve a free screening slot up to 7 days ahead. Slots are limited and run 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Terminals A and B (for flights from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Terminal C (flights from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.).
- Check wait times: The MCO app shows checkpoint wait times, parking availability and indoor directions.
- Use the right checkpoint: West for Gates 1–59, east for Gates 70–129, and one checkpoint for all of Terminal C.
- TSA PreCheck: The airport lists normal PreCheck lane hours as 4 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and CLEAR staff at the checkpoints can enroll you in PreCheck.
Orlando airport parking: garages, economy lots and rates
These are the airport’s published rates at the time of writing.
| Option | Per 24 hours | Getting to the terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal Top, Garages A and B | $24 | Walk to A and B |
| Parking Garage C | $24 ($32 reserved) | Walk to C; Terminal Link to A and B |
| Surface lots Discovery, Endeavour | $20 (E-PASS or SunPass Plus only) | Walk through the train station |
| Economy lots (North Park Place, South Park Place, West Park) | $14 | Free 24-hour shuttle |
| Valet (departures curbs) | $35 | Curbside, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
Garages have a 20-minute grace period, then charge $2 for 21 to 30 minutes and $1 per extra 15 minutes up to the daily rate. Economy lots charge $5 for up to 3 hours and allow stays of up to 90 days (45 in the garages). Their shuttles serve different terminals: North Park Place goes to A, South Park Place to B and C, and West Park to A and C. Garages can’t take vehicles over 7 feet tall, and Surface Lot Atlantis is closed until about mid-November, with possible short closures after that, per the airport.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport: the hotel inside the terminal
MCO’s only in-airport hotel is inside the main terminal, above the security checkpoint for Gates 70–129, so you can walk from your room to check-in at Terminal A or B. The airport describes it as a 445-room hotel. It sits before security, so friends meeting you can use its restaurants too.
- Why stay: No shuttle before an early flight, plus a rooftop pool and sundeck and a fitness center, according to the airport’s hotel page.
- Dining: Hemisphere restaurant with runway views, McCoy’s Bar and Grill (listed hours 7 a.m. to midnight) and the Lobby Bar.
- Parking: The airport lists guest parking at $19 a night self-parked or $28 valet, plus Park, Stay and Go packages that include parking for your trip. Confirm rates and any fees with the hotel.
- Day Stay: Daytime use of the pool and fitness center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for long layovers.
Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book. If you don’t mind a short ride, our guide to Orlando airport hotels compares the Hyatt with nearby hotels that run free airport shuttles, and hotels in Lake Nona are about 10 miles away.
See prices and availability at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
Wi-Fi, family spaces, lounges and lost and found
- Wi-Fi: Free in all public areas on the “MCO Internet” network.
- For kids: A Florida-themed soft-play area (Terminal A, Level 1, before security), the Interactive Family Zone (Terminal B, Level 3) and the Flybrary reading nook near Gate C240, after security.
- Sensory room: Annie’s Space, in Terminal A before security, is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Lounges: Admirals Club and United Club (Gates 30–59), Delta Sky Club (70–99), The Club at MCO (1–29 and 70–99) and Plaza Premium (Terminal C).
- Lost and found: Terminal A, Level 1 (7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and Terminal C, Level 1 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with no fee.
Going straight to the parks? See Orlando airport to Universal for the shuttle, rideshare and toll options.
Heading to Disney? compare hotels near Disney World with airport shuttle options before you book a transfer.
Leaving the airport: see the Orlando car rental guide, Orlando airport to International Drive and Orlando airport park-and-fly hotels.
Staying in Kissimmee? see Orlando airport to Kissimmee: taxi, rideshare, LYNX FastLink 407, shuttles and SR 417 tolls.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal does my airline use at Orlando airport?
At the time of writing, Southwest, Frontier and Avelo check in at Terminal A. American, Delta, United, Alaska, Allegiant, Breeze and several Canadian and Latin American airlines use Terminal B. JetBlue, Porter and most long-haul international airlines, such as British Airways and Emirates, use Terminal C. Assignments change, so check the airport’s airlines page or your boarding pass.
How do you get from Terminal C to Terminals A and B?
Go to Level 4 of Terminal C, cross the pedestrian bridge and walk through Parking Garage C to the train station, then ride the Terminal Link to Terminal B. The ride takes about 4 minutes and runs 24 hours. A 24-hour shuttle bus also links Level 1 of both terminals. Connecting passengers must clear security again.
How early should you arrive at Orlando airport?
The airport recommends reaching the security checkpoint 2 hours before departure, and more if you still need to return a rental car or check bags. Without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+, book a free MCO Reserve screening slot up to 7 days ahead, and check live wait times in the MCO app.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Orlando airport?
At Terminals A and B, rideshare apps pick up on the Level 2 arrivals curb around the clock, and on the Level 3 departures curb from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. At Terminal C, pickups are on the Level 6 arrivals curb. Drop-offs use the departures curb: Level 3 at A and B, Level 2 at C.
How much does it cost to park at Orlando airport?
At the time of writing, the terminal garages cost $24 per 24 hours, a reserved space in Garage C $32, the transponder-only surface lots $20 and the economy lots $14, with free 24-hour shuttles. Valet costs $35 per 24 hours. The cell phone lots for drivers picking someone up are free.
Is there a hotel inside Orlando airport?
Yes. The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport is inside the main terminal, above the checkpoint for Gates 70–129. Terminals A and B are a short walk away and Terminal C is a 4-minute Terminal Link ride. The airport lists a rooftop pool, a restaurant with runway views and Park, Stay and Go packages.
Bottom line
MCO is easy once you know three things: which terminal your airline uses, which checkpoint matches your gate and which level your ride uses. Book MCO Reserve or stick to the 2-hour rule, reserve a Visitor Toll Pass if you’re renting, and add a little time while the Gate Link work continues. For a stress-free early departure, the in-terminal Hyatt is hard to beat.
Check your dates for Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport on Booking.com
Sources checked in October 2026: MCO airlines, MCO parking information, MCO ground transportation, MCO Gate Link replacement project, Visitor Toll Pass FAQ.