You land at Orlando International Airport (MCO), collect your bags and then face the part nobody explains well: where the rides actually are. Pickup spots differ by terminal and by type of ride, and they sit on different levels. This guide walks through each option, where to find it, and which one fits your trip. Locations come from the airport's own pages, which we link below, and airport rules do change, so check flymco.com if something looks different when you arrive.
The short answer
- Taxis wait at the Level 1 ground transportation curb in Terminals A and B and at the arrivals curb in Terminal C.
- Uber and Lyft pick up at the arrivals curb on Level 2 in Terminals A and B and on Level 6 in Terminal C.
- Mears runs a reception area on Level 1 of Terminals B and C for shuttle bookings.
- A private car meets you inside, at baggage claim, so you skip the curb altogether.
The terminals
MCO has three terminals: A, B and the newer Terminal C. Terminals A and B make up the main terminal, and Terminal C is the airport's south terminal, which also holds the Brightline train station. Your airline decides where you land, so look at your boarding pass or the airport's flight information before you leave the gate area.
After you land
- Follow the signs to baggage claim and collect your bags. International arrivals clear customs first, which can take a while, so do not book a pickup for the minute your plane touches down.
- Decide where you are going next: the curb for a taxi or rideshare, the Mears reception area for a shuttle, or baggage claim for a private driver.
- Check the level before you walk. A rideshare pickup on Level 2 and a taxi stand on Level 1 are not the same place.
Your options
Taxis
Taxis load on the Ground Transportation curb on Level 1 between spaces A22 and A25 in Terminal A and between B30 and B34 in Terminal B. In Terminal C they load at the arrivals curb on Level 6. Taxis may carry up to nine passengers and charge the same fare regardless of how many ride. Fares come from the meter, and the airport notes that flat-rate fees are not authorized. MCO's ground transportation page lists approximate fares to common destinations.
Uber, Lyft and other rideshare
Rideshare pickup is at the arrivals curb on Level 2 in Terminals A and B, 24 hours a day, and on Level 6 in Terminal C. Between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. the departures curb on Level 3 is also open for pickups in Terminals A and B. Drop-offs go to the departures curb on Level 3 in Terminals A and B and on Level 2 in Terminal C. Prices follow demand, so check the app when you land.
Shuttles
Mears is the resort and general transportation concessionaire at MCO, and its Mears Connect shuttle serves Walt Disney World and many other resorts. Mears runs a reception area on Level 1 of Terminals B and C. Other shuttle companies serve hotels and attractions, and some hotels send their own free shuttles. The airport lists them on its ground transportation pages.
Public transit and trains
MCO's ground transportation page lists the LYNX local bus, SunRail and the Brightline train. The local bus is the cheapest way into town, and it is also the slowest. Brightline's Orlando station is at the airport and connects to South Florida.
A private car or SUV
A car booked ahead works differently from everything above. Your driver meets you inside, at baggage claim, with a sign with your name, helps with your luggage and walks you to your SUV in a reserved pickup area. Add your flight number when you book so we can plan around your arrival. The rate is flat for the whole vehicle, for example from $139 in the Full-size SUV to Walt Disney World, one way. Standard tolls and airport parking are included, and car seats are free when you book at least 24 hours ahead.
See the details on our Orlando airport transfers page.
Which one should you pick?
If you are alone, flying light and heading to a hotel near the airport, a taxi or rideshare is probably enough. If you are two people with a flexible schedule and a Disney hotel, a shuttle can be the cheapest option. If you are traveling with children, car seats, a stroller or several large bags, or you land late and want a certain pickup, a private car takes the guesswork out of it. Whatever you pick, decide before you land and know which level you are headed to.
For the Disney leg, read our guide to getting from MCO to Disney World. For a comparison of the three most common choices, see Mears Connect vs Uber vs a private car.