Most people landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO) choose between three things: the Mears Connect shuttle, an Uber or Lyft, and a car booked ahead with a driver. All three work. They differ in price, waiting, luggage space and how much you have to figure out after a flight. We run a private SUV service, so we have a stake in this, and we say where Mears or a rideshare is the better pick.
The short answer
- One or two people, light bags, no deadline: Mears Connect or a rideshare is usually the cheapest way in.
- A family, three or more bags each, or small children: a pre-booked private car removes most of the friction.
- You need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle: Mears says both its standard and express shuttles are ADA-compliant. Our SUVs are standard vehicles with no lift or ramp.
What Mears Connect is
Mears has been the resort and general transportation concessionaire at MCO for decades, and the airport lists it on its own ground transportation page. Mears Connect is its airport shuttle to Walt Disney World and other resort areas. The standard service is a shared ride that can make several stops. An express service goes directly to Disney resorts, and Mears says it may still be shared depending on demand.
According to Mears, the shuttle runs around the clock, serves both the main terminals and Terminal C, welcomes walk-ups, and has room for strollers. If you did not book ahead, Mears runs a reception area on Level 1 of Terminals B and C. Children under three ride free on the standard service, per Mears. Fares are per person and change, so check its site on the day you book.
What to ask before you book Mears
How long the wait before departure usually runs at your arrival time, how many stops come before yours, how bags are loaded, and what the policy is for child seats. A shared ride adds the other passengers' stops to your trip, which matters most when you land tired with children.
How Uber and Lyft work at MCO
Rideshare companies pick up at the arrivals curb on Level 2 in Terminals A and B and on Level 6 in Terminal C, according to MCO. Pickups at the departures curb on Level 3 are allowed between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. You book in the app, and the price you see depends on demand, airport fees and the time of day. That is the appeal, because you decide at the last minute, and also the risk, because the price can jump when several flights land together.
Luggage and car seats are the usual trouble. A standard car may not hold a family's bags, and a larger vehicle costs more. Florida's child restraint law exempts chauffeur-driven vehicles hired for compensation (section 316.613(6), Florida Statutes) and puts the responsibility on the parent, so you should not count on a driver to have a seat. Our guide to the Florida car seat law explains the rule.
A private car
A driver and vehicle booked in advance, for your group only. At SUV Orlando the price is a flat rate for the whole vehicle and is shown before you book. Your driver meets you at baggage claim with a sign with your name, helps with your luggage and walks you to your SUV in a reserved pickup area. Tell us your flight number when you book and we plan the pickup around it. There are no other passengers and no stops on the way to your hotel. Car seats are free when you book at least 24 hours ahead.
The cost is higher than a shared shuttle for a solo traveler or a couple, and you need to book first. We accept same-day reservations but cannot guarantee them, so for a same-day trip call or WhatsApp.
Quick comparison
| Mears Connect | Uber or Lyft | Private SUV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Per person | Varies with demand | Flat rate for the vehicle |
| Booking | Online, or at the Level 1 reception area | In the app, when you land | Ahead of time |
| Other stops | Likely on standard service | None | None |
| Waiting | Until the shuttle departs | Usually short | Driver meets you at baggage claim |
| Luggage | Plenty of space, per Mears | Limited by car size | Driver helps load |
| Child seats | Ask Mears | Bring your own | Free with 24 hours notice |
| Wheelchair access | ADA-compliant, per Mears | Depends on the vehicle | Not available |
Who each one suits
A couple with two carry-ons who land at noon and are in no hurry will probably be happy on a shared shuttle and will save money. A solo traveler arriving at a quiet hour might do best with a rideshare. A family of five with strollers and checked bags, landing after a long flight, tends to feel the difference a private car makes, because nobody has to find a pickup spot, wait for a shuttle to fill or fit luggage into a car that is too small.
Group size changes the math more than anything else. Shuttle fares are per person, so they climb with every traveler, while a private rate covers the vehicle. Add up the total for everyone before you decide, including luggage and child seats. For the Disney leg specifically, see our guide to getting from MCO to Disney World, or compare our flat rates.