Car rental in Orlando
Nearly every visitor here ends up driving. The resorts are far apart, the shuttle timetables are inconvenient, and a car pays for itself by day two.
I-4, and how to avoid it
Interstate 4 is the spine of the region and the source of most of its traffic. It backs up in both directions during commuter hours and again in the late afternoon when the parks empty. The 417 and 429 toll roads run parallel and are usually worth the toll to skip it — particularly between the airport and the Disney area.
Parking at the parks
Standard theme park parking is charged per day at each resort, with preferred parking at a higher rate. On-site hotel guests sometimes get parking included — check your reservation before paying it twice. Universal's structures are a long walk from the gates; the parks with tram service run them frequently but the queue at closing is substantial.
Choosing the car
Strollers are the deciding factor. A family with two young children and a double stroller wants amid-size SUVat minimum, and aminivanif there are grandparents along. Sliding doors matter more than you would expect in a packed park garage. Sun shades for the windscreen are worth the few dollars — a car left in an Orlando lot all day gets genuinely dangerous inside.
Beyond the parks
- Kennedy Space Center— about an hour east on the 528.
- Clearwater and the Gulf beaches— roughly two hours west.
- Cocoa Beach— an hour, and the easiest Atlantic beach day from Orlando.
| Best class | Mid-size SUV for families; compact for couples |
|---|---|
| Tolls | Extensive toll network; transponder recommended |
| Airport | Orlando International (MCO); Sanford (SFB) for some charter traffic |
| Parking | Charged daily at each theme park; check whether your hotel includes it |
Questions
Renting a car in Orlando
The things worth knowing before you book, including who you are booking with and what leaves your account today.
In Orlando
Do the theme parks charge for parking on top of the rental?
Yes, each park charges its own daily parking fee, separate from anything on your rental. Budget for it per day, and check whether your hotel runs a shuttle that makes the car unnecessary on park days.
How heavily tolled is the drive around Orlando?
Very. Central Florida runs on SunPass and most cash lanes have gone, including on the routes from the airport to the parks. Settle the toll programme question at the counter rather than discovering it later.
Booking with RentalForCar
Who am I actually booking with?
RentalForCar is an independent car rental reservation service operated by Affluence Hospitality LLC. We are not a rental company and we do not own vehicles. Your car is supplied and operated by a licensed third-party rental company, and the rental agreement you sign at the counter is with them.
What exactly is charged today, and what at the counter?
Today: a deposit against the rental plus our service fee, both itemised before you pay. At the counter: the remaining rental balance, local taxes and airport fees, and any extras you add on arrival. Nothing is added after you book that was not shown to you.
Can I cancel, and what does it cost?
Free within 24 hours of booking. After that a flat $50 fee applies and the rest of your deposit is refunded to the original payment method. No cancellation window is hidden in the small print.
Will I get the exact model in the photograph?
You are guaranteed a vehicle in the class you booked. It may be that model or a comparable alternative, which is why every listing says "or similar". If you need a specific model for a specific reason, call and we will tell you honestly whether it can be confirmed.
Do you take card details on the site?
No. Card details are entered on a secure payment page, not in our forms, and we never handle or store card numbers ourselves. We will never ask for a full card number by email, chat or text.
What happens if something goes wrong at the counter?
Call us on the number at the top of the page with your booking reference. We deal with the rental company on your behalf — a vehicle class that is unavailable, a charge you did not agree to, or a booking they cannot find.