Orlando
Getting There/Around

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Getting There

Air

Orlando International Airport ( MCO )
+1 407 825 2001
http://www.orlandoairports.net/

MCO is located 6 miles from downtown. Airlines at the airport include:

ATA ( +1 800 435 9282 / http://www.ata.com/ )
Aeromexico ( +1 800 237 6639 / http://www.aeromexico.com/ )
Air Canada ( +1 800 776 3000 / http://www.Aircanada.com/ )
Air Jamaica ( +1 800 523 5585 / http://www.airjamaica.com/ )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com/ )
Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com/ )
Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com/ )
Southwest ( +1 800 435 9792/ http://www.southwest.com/ )
United ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com/ )
U.S. Airways ( +1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com/ ).
Virgin Atlantic ( +1 800 862 8621 / http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/ ).

From the Airport

Car Rental:
Avis ( +1 800 230 4898 / http://www.avis.com/ )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / https://rent.drivebudget.com/ )

Shuttles:
Numerous other rental car companies have courtesy shuttles to take you to off site locations. Lynx ( +1 407 841 2279 / http://www.golynx.com/ ), buses 11, 41, 42, and 51 can be found on side A of the Main Terminal, commercial lanes 38-41. They operate daily from 5:30a-11:30p and depart every 30-60 minutes for downtown and International Drive. Rides, depending on traffic, last approximately 40 minutes to downtown and 60 minutes to International Drive.

Taxi:
Various taxi companies operate from sides A and B: A16, A17, B20-B22 on the Commercial Lane. Mears ( +1 407 423 5566 / http://www.mearstransportation.com/ ) runs shuttle service from A2 & A28, B4 & B33 of the commercial lane. Out-of-town shuttles can be found on both sides in space one of the commercial lane.

Limo:
Orlando Florida Limousine provides professional limousine service around the city ( +1 321 332 5789 / http://www.orlandofloridalimousine.com/ )

Train

Amtrak ( +1 800 872 7245 / http://www.amtrak.com/ ) provides daily service to Orlando's train station just south of downtown ( 1400 Sligh Boulevard ). The Silver Service Palmetto ferries passengers north and south ( New York, Savannah, Miami ) while the Sunset Limited operates with a western line ( New Orleans, Los Angeles ).

Bus

Greyhound ( +1 407 292 3440 / http://www.greyhound.com/ ) arrives from all points of the compass to the main terminal at 555 North John Young Parkway.

Car

Interstate 4 ( I-4 ), central Florida's main car chute, zooms through Orlando in a northeast/southwest direction. The 408 Expressway, a toll road, intersects I-4 at Orlando's southern end. Downtown's grid is easy to negotiate once you become familiar with its network of one-way thoroughfares. Because of Orlando's dramatic population surge, however, traffic, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours, borders on horrific.

Getting Around

Public Transit

Because of Orlando's grim traffic situation ( no rail systems exist although various projects are in the works including a 20 mile Light Rail line that would connect Altamonte Springs with Orlando Sea World ) Orlando's bus system, Lynx ( +1 407 841 2279 / http://www.golynx.com/ ), serves as a best bet alternative. Its optically bright painted busses serve Orange, Seminole and Oseola counties and operate daily from 4:15a-12:15a. During peak frequency hours buses on the busiest routes pass every 15 minutes. All buses can offer wheel chair access and contain bike racks. Rates: Standard one-way ticket USD1.25; single day pass USD3; seven day pass USD10.

Limo

Lymmo ( +1 407 245 2555 / http://www.golynx.com/services/lymmo/index.htm/ ) is the transportation of choice for downtown travelers. This free bus service covers a three-mile circuit ( 19 stops ) through the downtown area. During office hours ( 8a-5p ) busses pass every five minutes.

Trolley

The I-Trolley ( +1 866 243 7483 / http://www.iridetrolley.com/ ) runs year round transport in the International Drive ( I-Drive ) Resort Area. Two lines cover the area ( Main Line and Green Line ) stopping at a combined 93 points. Trolleys arrive/depart every 20-30 minutes from 8a-10p daily.

Walt Disney World has an all inclusive transit system that utilizes ferrys, monorails, and buses to cart tourists from point to point around the massive resort.

Taxi

Taxis are a relatively easy way to maneuver about the city if you are without a car or in a group. But due to distances involved from point to point fares can get expensive. Local cab companies include Yellow Cab, City Cab, Checker Cab and Safety Cab all under the wing of the Mears Transportation Group ( +1 407 699 9999 / http://www.mearstransportation.com/ ).

For a unique mode of transportation hop into an Orlando Pedicab ( +1 321 217 2233 ). These bike taxis are free and service the downtown area Tuesday through Saturday. Each pedicab holds up to four passengers.

Bike

In 1990, Bicycling Magazine dubiously coined Orlando as the second worst city for bicycling in the United States. Local government responded to this charge by adding 148 miles of bike paths now making it, according to the League of American Cyclists, a "Bicycle Friendly Community." Most paths provide convenient access downtown.

Traffic Information

To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com/

If traveling overseas, take the safety precaution of registering your trip at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ and for helpful, practical advice about traveling technicalities and safety standards check out http://travel.state.gov/