From Orlando airport to the parks
You choose between an airport shuttle, a public bus, a ride service and a rental car. Each one suits a different trip, and the right one depends on your group size, your luggage and whether you want a car for the whole stay.
Once you are there, Disney and Universal run their own transport between their hotels and parks. This page covers the airport leg first, then parking and the rides between parks.
Airport transfer options compared
Fares are the ones published in October 2026 and can change.
| Option | Cost in 2026 | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Airport shuttle (Mears) | $17.60 adult, $14.30 child aged 3 to 9, one way to the Disney resort area | Walk-up table rate. Return $16 and $13. Round trip $33.60 and $27.30. Under 3 free |
| LYNX Link 311 | $2 per ride, $4.50 day pass | Public bus to Disney Springs and the Disney area. A weekday example: 4:50 am to 5:39 am, 49 minutes |
| Uber or Lyft | Set by the app | Price depends on vehicle, route, tolls, local fees and demand |
| Rental car | – | On-airport counters or off-airport companies with a shuttle |
| Brightline train | – | Station at the airport, trains to South Florida only. No direct train to a park |
The shuttle rates above are from the walk-up table. They are not a final online price, and extra charges may apply, so read the total before you pay. For a whole day away from the parks, see the Kennedy Space Center page, because that trip needs a car or a booked transfer.
Orlando airport transfers and day trips
Private and shared transfers, tickets and day trips from Orlando, with live prices and availability.
The options in detail
What each choice means in practice.
Airport shuttle
The airport lists Mears Destination Services as the operator for bus, car and van transfers. The walk-up fare to the Disney resort area is $17.60 for adults and $14.30 for children aged 3 to 9. Children under 3 ride free.
LYNX bus
A single ride costs $2. A reduced fare of $1 applies only if you meet the eligibility rules, and a day pass costs $4.50. A transfer is free within 90 minutes, but not for the return trip or on the same route. Link 311 runs from the airport via Sand Lake SunRail, Florida Mall and Destination Parkway to Disney Springs and the Disney area. Some trips stop at the Epic Universal Transfer Center. The weekday example of 49 minutes ends at the Disney stop and does not include a change to your hotel.
LYNX changes in 2026
Since April 2026, LYNX no longer stops at the Helios Grand hotel and runs less service on the Epic bus loop. Do not assume that every airport bus goes straight to Epic Universe.
Uber and Lyft pickup
At the airport, pickup is on Level 2, Arrivals, at areas A and B, all day and all night. Area C is on Level 6, Arrivals. Areas A and B on Level 3, Departures, are also in use between 9 pm and 2 am. Follow the instructions in your app and the airport signs.
Rental car
Some companies are at the airport. Others are off-site and send a shuttle. Pickup and return points differ by company and terminal, so use the address in your booking. A car costs parking at each park, so add that to your budget.
Brightline
The Brightline station at the airport serves South Florida, including West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The operator gives about 2 hours to West Palm Beach and about 3 hours 30 minutes to Miami. It is not a transfer to Disney or Universal.
Getting around Walt Disney World
Disney offers free transport between its resort destinations. The buses that serve theme park hotels run from 45 minutes before the park opens until 1 hour after it closes. Luggage is not allowed on them, and trips to the water parks can need a change.
The Disney Skyliner is a gondola line. It links EPCOT's International Gateway and Hollywood Studios with Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and Riviera. There is no Skyliner to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. Check the operating hours and any transfer points before you rely on it. After EPCOT closes, you cannot walk through the closed park to the EPCOT car park.
A Park Hopper ticket lets you visit more than one Disney park on the same day. Check the current rule for when you may switch parks, because the published information differs between pages. More on the parks is on the Walt Disney World page.
Getting around Universal Orlando
Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk are connected on foot. The Hogwarts Express train links the two older theme parks and needs a ticket that allows park-to-park entry. It is not a train to Epic Universe. On November 4, 2026, it is listed as closed.
From CityWalk, a free Universal shuttle runs to Epic Universe and to Volcano Bay. Epic Universe has its own entrance and its own car park at 1001 Epic Boulevard. The main garage at 6000 Universal Boulevard serves the studios, Islands, CityWalk and the Volcano Bay shuttle. With a same-day receipt and ID, you can switch car parks on the same day.
More about the resort is on the Universal Orlando page.
Parking costs in 2026
Published daily rates for a car. Check them again before you go.
| Place | Standard | Other rates |
|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World theme parks | $35 a day | Preferred $50, $55 or $60. Large vehicles $40. Tax included. Free standard parking for registered Disney hotel guests |
| Disney Springs | Free | Self-parking. Standard parking at the Disney water parks is also free |
| Universal Orlando | $35 | Prime $50 to $60. RV or bus $45. Tax included. Free after 6 pm except on Halloween Horror Nights evenings and December 31. Not at Epic Universe |
| Aquatica | From $35 | Preferred from $38. Rates vary by season |
| Kennedy Space Center | $15 | Motorcycle $5. Large vehicles and RVs $20 |
At Magic Kingdom, the car park tram ends at the Ticket and Transportation Center. You then need another ride to the park entrance, so add time to your plan. Free parking at Disney Springs is not a promise of a direct shuttle from there to the theme parks.
Entering the United States from Germany
A short reminder for visitors from Germany. Check the rules for your own passport.
Documents
Under the Visa Waiver Program, German citizens need a passport with a chip, an approved ESTA and a return or onward ticket. A provisional passport and a child passport work only with a visa, according to the German Foreign Office. An ID card is not enough.
Stay and timing
You can stay up to 90 days. An ESTA is usually valid for up to 2 years. Apply at least 72 hours before you travel. An approved ESTA does not guarantee entry. Check the current fee on the application page.
Plan the rest of your trip
Your transfer is easier when you know where you will sleep.
Orlando airport and getting around: frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Orlando airport to Disney?
The public LYNX bus costs $2 per ride. A weekday Link 311 example takes 49 minutes to the Disney stop, without a change to your hotel. Compare that with the $17.60 adult walk-up fare for the airport shuttle.
Is there a train from Orlando airport to the theme parks?
Not directly. The Brightline station at the airport serves South Florida, with West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It is not a link to a theme park.
Where do I find Uber or Lyft at the airport?
On Level 2, Arrivals, at areas A and B, around the clock. Area C is on Level 6, Arrivals. Follow your app's instructions for the exact spot.
Do I need a car in Orlando?
Not always. Disney runs free transport between its listed destinations, and Universal runs shuttles to Epic Universe and Volcano Bay, and parking costs $35 a day at both. A car makes sense for day trips such as the Kennedy Space Center, which has no public transit.
Can I walk or ride between the Universal parks?
Yes, between Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk on foot. Epic Universe and Volcano Bay are reached by a free shuttle from CityWalk.
Does the Skyliner go to every Disney park?
No. It links EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with selected hotels. It does not serve Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom.