Getting around Orlando without a car
Yes, you can, if you plan by type of day. Here is what LYNX, SunRail, the I-Ride Trolley, Brightline, hotel shuttles and Uber actually cover, and where a private driver helps.
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Can you visit Orlando without a car?
Yes, if you stay inside one area (Disney, Universal or International Drive) and combine two or three options. If you want to cover the whole region, it takes more planning.
Orlando is built for cars, and public transit exists but does not take you everywhere comfortably. Even so, millions of visitors arrive without one and get by on their hotel shuttle, Disney or Universal transportation and an occasional Uber.
The key is to think about each type of day rather than the whole trip: arrival day, park days, nights out and the trip home. Each has its own best option, and it is almost never the same one.
Public transportation in Orlando
There is public transit, but with limits. These are the four you will hear about most.
Lynx buses
Orlando's bus system reaches many areas, including the airport and the tourist districts. You pay when you board, in cash or with whatever payment option LYNX offers at the time, so check fares on its official site. Buses can be infrequent, and it is not the easiest way to reach the parks with kids.
I-Ride Trolley
The trolley that runs along International Drive, the strip of hotels, restaurants and attractions. It works if you stay in that area. Confirm hours, fares and stops on the I-Ride Trolley website, because they change.
SunRail
A commuter train that runs north to south through the Orlando area. It does not go to the theme parks or the airport, so it suits people who live or work along the line more than tourists. Stations and schedules are on sunrail.com.
Brightline
The train linking Orlando with Miami and other South Florida cities, with a station at the airport. It covers the trip between cities and does little for getting around inside Orlando. Schedules and fares are on the Brightline website. Coming from Miami? Read Miami to Orlando: train, bus, car or private SUV.
Before you count on any of these, check the exact route from your hotel. A Google map can give you a false idea of how close things are.
Transportation inside Disney and Universal
Disney has its own transportation system between parks, resorts and Disney Springs; Universal has its own, shorter one.
Inside Walt Disney World you will find the monorail, buses, boats and the Skyliner, the gondola that links some resorts with Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Which one helps depends on your resort. With a Disney hotel, internal transportation is usually included, but ask the hotel which line is yours.
At Universal Orlando, getting between hotels and parks can mean walking, a boat or a bus, depending on the hotel. Ask when you check in whether yours has its own transportation.
Neither system covers the ride between the airport and your hotel, or the leg between Disney and Universal. For that you need a shuttle, an Uber or a private transfer. See airport to Disney and airport to Universal.
Hotels with transportation to the parks
Some Orlando hotels offer a shuttle to the parks, but not all, and the rules vary.
When a hotel says it has a shuttle, ask which parks it goes to, what times it runs, whether it is free or has a fee, and whether you have to reserve a seat. In high season a hotel shuttle can fill up, and the last return of the night can be before the park closes.
Before you book, write to the hotel and ask for the shuttle schedule in writing. Also ask how to get from the airport to the hotel; many hotels do not offer that leg.
Uber, Lyft, taxis, bikes and scooters
For one-off trips, rideshare and taxis cover almost everything, and bikes and scooters work for short stretches.
Uber and Lyft work all over Orlando. They are handy for dinner or a quick errand; the price varies with demand, so look at the fare before you accept. A taxi is another option, but it does not cruise the streets like in other cities and you have to call for one or find it at the airport line. For a comparison, read Mears Connect, Uber or private car.
Rental bikes and scooters exist in some areas, but Orlando is very spread out and several avenues are high speed. For visitors, they work better inside a resort or a compact neighborhood than as a way to get around the area.
What fits each type of day
The best option changes with what you are doing.
| Arrival or departure | Park day | Night out | Shopping or outlets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual options | Shuttle, Uber or Lyft, taxi, private transfer | Disney or Universal transportation, hotel shuttle, Uber | Uber or Lyft, taxi, private chauffeur | Uber or Lyft, rent for the day, hourly chauffeur |
| When you do not need a car | Almost always | Almost always | If you stay near the hotel | Depends on how many stops you make |
| When a private car helps | Luggage, kids, late flights | Rare, except groups or a transfer between parks | Groups who do not want to drive at night | Several stops with bags and a large group |
For trips with several stops, see private chauffeur in Orlando.
Where a private SUV makes sense
A private chauffeur is not the cheapest option, but there are moments when it solves more than it costs.
The first is arrival: after a long flight, with bags and kids, having someone wait for you with your name and take you straight to the hotel is a different experience. It also helps on the way home, when the flight leaves early.
The second is the day with kids, when a group goes back and forth between hotels and parks and gets tired. The third is a special night, a dinner or an event, when you do not want to look for a car or worry about driving.
If you are interested, from the airport to Disney in the Full-Size Black SUV starts at $139 per trip, and to Universal from $139. With kids, see our guide to car service with car seats. If you are torn between renting and going private, read rental car or private car.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get around Orlando, Florida?
It depends on where you stay. Inside Disney and Universal you have internal transportation; on International Drive, the trolley; for one-off trips, Uber, Lyft or a taxi; and to arrive or leave, a shuttle or a private transfer. Lynx buses cover more areas, but with longer times. The most practical approach is to combine them by type of day.
What are the transportation options in Orlando?
The most common are Lynx buses, the I-Ride Trolley, SunRail, Brightline for travel between cities, internal transportation at Disney and Universal, hotel shuttles, Uber and Lyft, taxis, car rental and private chauffeur services. Each covers a different area or type of trip.
Is Uber expensive in Orlando?
It depends on demand, time of day and distance, and prices jump at busy times such as park closing and airport rushes. We do not quote numbers so you do not plan around an old figure. Check the fare in the app before you accept, and see our comparison in Mears Connect, Uber or a private car.
Does SunRail go to the airport or the theme parks?
No. SunRail is a commuter line that runs north to south through the Orlando area and does not serve Disney, Universal or the airport. For those you need a shuttle, an Uber or a private transfer.
Is there public transportation in Orlando?
Yes. Lynx buses are the main system, there is a trolley on International Drive and a commuter train called SunRail. It is more limited than in big cities with a subway, and it is rarely the most practical way to reach the parks with kids or bags. Confirm routes and schedules before you leave.
How much does public transportation cost in Orlando?
Fares depend on whether it is Lynx, the trolley or the train, and they can change. We do not list numbers because we do not want you to plan with an old figure. Check current fares on each service's official site before you travel.
How do you pay for the bus in Orlando?
Usually when you board, in cash or with whatever payment system Lynx offers at the time, which can include passes or an app. Some buses do not give change, so carry small bills. Confirm the current payment method on the official Lynx site.
Which Orlando hotels offer transportation to the theme parks?
Many Disney hotels include internal transportation, and several Universal hotels and hotels in other areas offer a shuttle to the parks, sometimes for a fee. Not all of them have one. Ask the hotel which parks it goes to, the schedule, the fare and whether you need to reserve a seat.
Can I get from the airport to my hotel without a car?
Yes: with a shared shuttle, Uber or Lyft, a taxi or a private transfer. Each has its advantages; to compare calmly, read Mears Connect, Uber or private car. On a late arrival or with kids, it helps to have your ride sorted before you land.
Related reading
Mears Connect, Uber or private car
A comparison for getting from the airport.
Rent a car or go private?
When to rent and when not to.
Airport to Disney
Flat rate, no stops.
Car service with car seats
Child seats and how to plan your arrival.
How can we help?
Questions about a trip? A real person answers, in English or Spanish.