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An Orlando car rental makes sense when your trip reaches beyond one resort: Disney one day, Universal or the beach the next. It also brings costs the daily rate doesn’t show, from toll programs to $35-a-day theme park parking and nightly hotel parking.
This guide covers pickup at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and elsewhere, how to avoid paying twice for tolls, parking costs and Florida’s driving rules. Fees come from official pages checked in October 2026; confirm yours before you book.
Quick answer: At MCO, ten companies rent on airport, with counters on Level 1 of Terminals A and B and Level 4 of Terminal C. If you rent from one of them on an MCO round trip, reserve the free Visitor Toll Pass and decline the company’s toll program. Then budget $35 a day for Disney or Universal theme park parking, plus hotel parking unless your hotel parks you free.
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Do you need a car in Orlando?
Not always. Disney’s complimentary resort transportation links its own hotels with the parks and Disney Springs, and Universal’s own hotels connect to its parks by free shuttle buses, with water taxis or walking paths at some.
- Rent a car if you’re splitting time between Disney and Universal, staying off-site without a dependable park shuttle, or planning day trips to the coast, Kennedy Space Center or LEGOLAND.
- Skip it if you’re at a Disney Resort hotel for a Disney-only trip, at a Universal hotel for a Universal-only trip, or at a hotel whose free park shuttle fits your plans.
- Rent for a day or two if you only need wheels for an outing; Disney’s own rental desk (below) makes that easy.
Our guides to getting around Orlando without a car and getting from Orlando airport to Disney World compare shuttles, rideshares and buses, and our guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando helps you pick a base.
Renting a car at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
MCO calls itself the world’s largest car rental market by gross revenues. Ten companies rent at the terminals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. Enterprise’s MCO page sums up the routine: counter on Level 1 at Terminals A and B or Level 4 at Terminal C, then a short walk across to the garage.
Pick-up and return levels differ by company and terminal, according to the airport’s rental car page:
| Companies | Pick up, A and B | Pick up, C | Return (A / B / C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo, Enterprise, National | Level R1 | Garage C1 | R1 / R1 / C1 |
| Sixt | Level P1 | Garage C1 | P1 / P1 / C1 |
| Avis, Budget, Payless | Level R2 | Garage C2 | R1 / R2 / C2 |
| Dollar, Hertz, Thrifty | Level R2 | Garage C2 | R2 / R1 / C2 |
- Off-airport companies: MCO lists 36 more, such as Fox and Easirent, with free shuttles from Level 1 at each terminal and the train station. Add the shuttle time; the Visitor Toll Pass works only with the ten on-airport brands.
- Terminal C is changing: a $114 million Rental Car Lobby with counters is being built beside the pedestrian bridge between Terminal C and the train station. Its project page still gave a fall 2026 timeline at last check.
- Peer-to-peer cars (such as Turo): MCO allows handovers only in Surface Lot Atlantis, which it lists as closed from July 20 through mid-November, so confirm the meeting point with your host.
- Fuel before the return: the airport points to the Shell station at its South Travel Plaza, at Jeff Fuqua Boulevard and South Park Place, opposite the train station.
On departure day, follow the “Car Rental Return” signs and leave extra time. Our Orlando airport guide covers terminals, trams and security.
Other places to pick up a rental car
- Walt Disney World’s Car Care Center: Disney’s page lists Enterprise, Alamo and National as its rental partners at a facility near the Magic Kingdom auto plaza; Disney lists the center’s hours as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Disney Resort hotel guests get a free door-to-door shuttle to the desk if they schedule it at least an hour ahead on (407) 824-3470. It’s ideal for a one-day outing, but the Visitor Toll Pass isn’t available there.
- Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): on-site counters for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National. By our routing, Sanford is about 43 miles from Disney Springs and 48.5 from the Magic Kingdom lot, and the Visitor Toll Pass doesn’t apply there.
What an Orlando car rental really costs
The base rate is only part of the bill. Look for these lines in the itemized estimate:
| Charge | What it is | Example or rule |
|---|---|---|
| Florida rental surcharge | State charge per rental day | $2 a day for the first 30 days, taxed (s. 212.0606) |
| Sales tax | 6% state rate plus county surtax | Orange County, home of MCO, adds 0.5% |
| Airport fees | Charges on airport rentals | Vary by company; listed in the estimate |
| Damage waiver | Optional cover for the car | $29.99 to $49.99 a day at Enterprise MCO |
| Young driver fee | Renters aged 21 to 24 | $25 a day at Enterprise MCO |
| Extra driver | Anyone besides the renter | $15 a day at Enterprise MCO; spouse or partner free |
Enterprise’s MCO page also limits drivers aged 21 to 24 to certain car classes and warns that its refueling service costs more than local stations. Before you buy a damage waiver, check what your own auto policy or credit card covers.
Tolls: the decision that saves the most
SR 528 (the Beachline) and SR 417, the main roads out of the airport, are cashless toll roads run mostly by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), whose current rates took effect on July 1, 2026. The tolls are modest: at the transponder rate, MCO to I-4 on SR 528 is $2.24 and MCO to I-4 near the Disney area on SR 417 is $4.30, per CFX’s online calculator in October 2026. Rental companies’ daily fees are what add up.
The Visitor Toll Pass (MCO round trips only)
- What it is: a free CFX hangtag that pays the lowest electronic toll rate on Florida toll roads and express lanes, with no service fee. CFX says it saves as much as 80% compared with rental toll programs.
- Who can use it: renters picking up and returning an Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt or Thrifty car at MCO, for trips of up to 90 days.
- How it works: reserve in the app (a $10 deposit goes toward your tolls), scan the QR code at the vending machine near the rental counters, add your plate and hang the tag on the mirror. Decline the company’s toll program, or you could be billed twice.
- Returning it: use a drop box in Terminal A, B or C, or one of the vending machines. An unreturned tag costs $10, and a final toll charge can arrive up to 21 days after the trip.
Rental companies’ toll programs
Skip the pass and the company’s program pays tolls through plate cameras. Florida’s SunPass site summarizes the programs (archived September 21, 2026) and notes the figures can change:
| Companies | Program | Listed charge | If you don’t opt in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty | PlatePass | $14.99 a day, tolls included | $9.99 per toll day plus tolls at the top rate |
| Avis, Budget, Payless | e-Toll Unlimited | $12.99 a day or $64.95 a week | $6.95 per toll day (Payless $7.95) plus tolls at the top rate |
| Alamo, Enterprise, National | TollPass | $4.95 per toll day plus tolls | Applies automatically |
| Fox (off-airport) | PlatePass | $14.49 a day, up to $217.35 | $15 per toll, up to $90 |
The companies’ own pages add detail: Enterprise caps its TollPass charge at $34.65 per rental (SunPass shows $30), and Hertz’s terms say declining PlatePass but using electronic tolls means an administrative fee plus tolls at the highest undiscounted rate. Ask at the counter which plan applies.
On a seven-day rental with tolls on four days, PlatePass at $14.99 a day comes to $104.93, tolls included; TollPass adds 4 x $4.95 = $19.80 in fees plus each toll at the higher rate; the Visitor Toll Pass adds no fees, just tolls at the lowest rate. A SunPass, E-PASS or E-ZPass you already own can also work in a rental, as our Orlando toll roads guide explains.
Driving times from MCO and theme park parking
Road routes from the Terminal A and B side, measured with OpenStreetMap routing and no traffic, so allow more at rush hour:
| Destination | Distance | Light traffic | Toll road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Universe parking | About 13 miles | About 25 min | SR 528 |
| Universal’s garages | About 14 miles | About 30 min | SR 528 |
| Disney Springs | About 18.5 miles | About 30 min | SR 528, then I-4 |
| EPCOT parking | About 22 miles | About 35 min | SR 417 |
| Animal Kingdom parking | About 23 miles | About 35 min | SR 417 |
| Magic Kingdom (TTC) lot | About 24 miles | About 40 min | SR 417 |
Published day rates for a car at the time of writing:
| Where | Standard parking | Closer spaces | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney’s four theme parks | $35 a day, tax included | Preferred $50 to $60 | One fee covers all four parks that day |
| Disney Springs | Free | None | Garages open 9 a.m. on regular days |
| Universal and Epic Universe | $35, tax included | Prime $50 to $60 | Free after 6 p.m. on most nights, not at Epic |
| SeaWorld Orlando | From $37 plus tax online | Preferred and VIP | FAQ still says from $35 |
Two tips for renters. Universal offers a free upgrade to Prime parking with Avis and Budget rentals from MCO (voucher required; you still pay for regular parking), and its free after-6 p.m. parking excludes Halloween Horror Nights event nights and New Year’s Eve and never applies at Epic Universe. Disney warns that paying doesn’t guarantee a space if you leave and return later the same day. Our guide to Orlando theme park parking covers every lot and tram.
Hotel parking: the cost that adds up
Hotel parking is charged every night, whether or not you drive. At the time of writing:
- Disney Resort hotels: overnight self-parking is complimentary for guests, and standard theme park parking is included, per Disney’s parking page.
- Universal’s own hotels: they charge for overnight self-parking, from $26 plus tax per vehicle per night at Cabana Bay to $36 at the Hard Rock Hotel, per their pages.
- Off-site resorts: many charge daily parking on top of a nightly resort fee. Our explainer on Orlando resort fees shows what those fees usually cover.
- Free parking: plenty of limited-service hotels still park you free. Three good bases follow, and our list of Orlando hotels with free parking has more.
Renting an electric car in Orlando
- Disney: ChargePoint stations at all four theme parks (four or five spaces each) and at Disney Springs, first come, first served, at $0.35 per kWh with a $1.50 minimum; Disney Springs’ Watermelon lot also lists four Level 3 fast chargers at $0.40 per kWh.
- Universal: its parking page lists EV charging only in Epic Universe’s Prime parking, the $50 to $60 tier, with additional fees.
- MCO: chargers in Garage A (Level 2, Row A), Garage B (Level 2, Row P) and Garage C (Level 3, Rows 59 to 62; Level 5, Rows 59, 60 and 62).
- Rental rules: Hertz bills Tesla Supercharger sessions after the rental; third-party chargers are paid on the spot. Check your company’s EV return terms.
Our guide to Orlando hotels with EV charging lists the hotels with verified chargers.
Florida driving rules for visitors
- Licenses: Florida law lets nonresident visitors drive with a valid license from their home state or country, kept on them (s. 322.04). Ask your rental company whether it wants an International Driving Permit with a license that isn’t in English.
- Car seats: children 5 and under need a crash-tested, federally approved restraint: a separate carrier or integrated seat through age 3, and a carrier, integrated seat or booster at 4 and 5 (s. 316.613).
- Seat belts: every passenger under 18 must be belted or in a child restraint (s. 316.614).
- Phones: typing or reading texts, emails or messages on a handheld device while driving is illegal (s. 316.305).
- Cashless tolls: CFX roads and Florida’s Turnpike around Orlando don’t take cash.
Three hotels with free parking for drivers
All three list free self-parking and no resort fee on their official pages, and each is a short drive from I-4. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort
Drury’s page lists parking as “Free (during stay).” The hotel is at 7301 West Sand Lake Road, on Restaurant Row just west of I-4, about 2.3 miles from Universal’s garages, 3.8 from Epic Universe’s parking and 12.5 from MCO by our routes. Stays include a free hot breakfast (6 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, 7 to 10 a.m. on weekends), the free 5:30 Kickback with hot food and drinks until 7 p.m., and a free scheduled shuttle to all Universal parks, Epic Universe included, booked at the lobby’s Universal ticket center, so the car can stay parked on Universal days. More in our Drury Inn & Suites near Universal review.
See prices and availability at Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort
Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee/Celebration
This Marriott-brand Disney Good Neighbor hotel at 6073 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (US 192) lists complimentary on-site self-parking and a free continental and grab-and-go breakfast (6 to 9 a.m. on weekdays, until 9:30 a.m. on weekends). Marriott says the Disney parks are 3 miles away; by road it’s about 5.5 miles to Animal Kingdom’s parking, 6 to EPCOT’s toll plaza, 6.5 to Disney Springs and 8 to the Magic Kingdom lot, and about 20 miles to MCO via SR 417. Marriott’s page lists no EV charging and no theme park shuttle, though Disney’s Good Neighbor listing mentions a shuttle to the Disney parks and Disney Springs, so ask before you count on it.
Check your dates for Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee/Celebration on Booking.com
Hampton Inn Orlando-Maingate South
At 44117 Highway 27 in Davenport, near I-4’s US 27 exit, this Hampton suits drivers combining Disney with LEGOLAND Florida. Hilton’s page (July 2026 capture) lists complimentary self-parking, on-site EV charging, a free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool and a fitness center. By our routes it’s about 14 miles to Animal Kingdom’s parking, 14.5 to EPCOT’s toll plaza, 16 to the Magic Kingdom lot, 22.5 to Universal and 23.5 to LEGOLAND; MCO is about 31 miles away, with no airport shuttle.
Compare rates for Hampton Inn Orlando-Maingate South
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a rental car in Orlando?
Only if your plans need one. A Disney-only trip from a Disney Resort hotel, or a Universal-only trip from a Universal hotel, works without a car. Rent one if you’re combining resorts, staying off-site without a reliable shuttle, or planning day trips to the beaches, Kennedy Space Center or LEGOLAND. Price parking first: standard parking alone is $35 a day at Disney’s and Universal’s theme parks.
Where are the rental car counters at Orlando airport?
At Terminals A and B, the ten on-airport companies have counters on Level 1, and the cars are on garage levels R1, R2 or P1, depending on the company. At Terminal C, counters are on Level 4 and cars are in Parking Garage C. Off-airport companies’ free shuttles leave from Level 1 at every terminal and the train station.
Should I take the rental company’s toll package in Orlando?
Usually not if you fly in and out of MCO with an on-airport company. The free Visitor Toll Pass charges only the lowest toll rate, with a $10 deposit applied to your tolls, while company plans add fees, such as PlatePass at $14.99 a day. Remember to decline the company’s program. If you rent at Sanford or at Disney, compare the plans or bring your own transponder.
How much is parking at Disney World and Universal?
Standard parking is $35 a day, tax included, at both. Disney’s fee covers all four of its theme parks that day, and Universal’s covers its garages and Epic Universe. Preferred or Prime spaces cost $50 to $60. Disney Springs parking is free, and Disney Resort hotel guests get standard theme park parking included. SeaWorld’s general parking starts at $37 plus tax online.
Can you rent a car at Walt Disney World?
Yes. Disney’s Car Care Center near the Magic Kingdom auto plaza has a rental desk with Enterprise, Alamo and National, and Disney lists the center’s hours as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Disney Resort hotel guests can book a free door-to-door shuttle to it at least an hour ahead by calling (407) 824-3470. It’s handy for a one-day outing, but the Visitor Toll Pass isn’t offered there.
What fees are added to a car rental in Florida?
Expect a state surcharge of $2 a day for the first 30 days, 6% sales tax plus the county surtax (0.5% in Orange County), and airport-related fees on airport rentals. Optional extras come on top: damage waivers ($29.99 to $49.99 a day at Enterprise MCO), young-driver fees, extra drivers, fuel plans and toll programs. Read the itemized estimate before you sign.
Bottom line
An Orlando car rental pays off when you mix resorts, stay off-site or take day trips, and MCO makes pickup easy. Most of the savings come from three choices: the free Visitor Toll Pass instead of a daily toll plan, a hotel that doesn’t charge to park, such as the Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resort, and knowing each park’s parking rate before you go.
Sources checked in October 2026: Orlando International Airport rental cars, Visitor Toll Pass FAQ, Walt Disney World parking, Universal Orlando directions and parking, Florida Statutes s. 212.0606.