MCO — Orlando — Taxi Fare Guide
Official taxis queue at the Ground Transportation level (Level 1) of both the North (A) and South (B) terminals at MCO. Cabs are dispatched by an attendant, and the airport's primary operator is Mears Transportation, which has served Orlando since 1939. Rides are metered, so there is no fixed airport flat rate to the city; the final fare depends on distance and traffic.
Typical metered fares run about $40-$45 to Downtown Orlando (roughly 15 miles, 20-25 minutes), $46-$55 to the International Drive / Convention Center corridor, and $60-$75 to the Walt Disney World and Lake Buena Vista resort area. A toll surcharge may be added because the fastest routes use toll roads. Gratuity of 15-20% is customary and not included in the meter.
Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) operates from designated pickup points on Level 1 and is frequently cheaper than a metered taxi, though surge pricing applies at busy arrival times. Shared shuttle vans and pre-booked private transfers are popular for the theme-park resorts and can undercut a solo taxi for longer trips.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| Downtown Orlando | $40-$45 | 20-25 min |
| International Drive / Convention Center | $46-$55 | 20-30 min |
| Universal Orlando | $45-$55 | 20-30 min |
| Walt Disney World / Lake Buena Vista | $60-$75 | 30-40 min |
Practical tips: Use only the official Mears/authorized taxi line, confirm whether tolls will be added, and ask for an approximate quote before departing. For groups of three or more heading to the parks, a pre-booked transfer or shuttle is often better value than a metered cab.
Other ways to the city
Orlando's public transport is improving but still limited compared with the size of the tourist area.
- Brightline (intercity train): Departs from a dedicated station at Terminal C, running south to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami in around three and a half hours. Fares start at roughly $79 and it is the fastest public link to South Florida.
- SunRail (commuter rail): SunRail does not serve the airport directly. The nearest station is Sand Lake Road, reachable on Lynx bus route 111, from where trains run north to downtown Orlando and Winter Park.
- Lynx buses: Routes 11, 42, 111, 407 and 436S leave from the Level 1 ground transportation area. Route 42 serves International Drive and route 11 goes to downtown Orlando. Fares are about $2 per ride, but journeys are slow and involve transfers.
- Mears Connect: The scheduled shuttle service to Walt Disney World resorts, from roughly $16-20 per person one way for the shared option.
- Hotel shuttles: Many International Drive and airport-area hotels run their own free vans from the ground transportation kerb.
Orlando — Highlights in photos
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.