Compare Orlando car hire

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 10km (six miles) southeast of the city centre. If you're staying at Universal or Disney, in Kissimmee or on International Drive, the airport is about half an hour away. It has a good choice of car hire brands, including Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, Thrifty, Budget, Dollar and Hertz.

Driving from Orlando International to the popular tourist areas is easy, especially if you use a toll road. To get to International Drive simply follow the 528 (Beachline Expressway) west to the exit road. From the 528 you can also get on the I-4, which leads south to Disney and north to Universal.

If you're picking up your rental car at Orlando International, you'll find the car hire desks on the A-side and B-side of the terminal, at level one. One great airport feature is that you can check in for your flight when you return your rental car to the parking garage.

Car rental companies that have desks at Orlando Airport in 2018 include:

• Advantage (Tel: 1-800-777-5500)
• Alamo (Tel: 1-800-327-9633)
• Avis (Tel: 1-800-831-2847)
• Budget (Tel: 1-800-527-0700)
• Dollar (Tel: 1-800-800-4000)
• Enterprise (Tel: 1-800-325-8007)
• Rent-a-Car (Tel: 1-800-277-5171)
• Hertz (Tel: 1-800-654-3131)
• National (Tel: 1-800-227-7368)
• Payless (Tel: 407 856-5539)
• Thrifty (Tel: 1-800-367-2277)

Orlando gets busy in peak season, but the infrastructure can handle it – there are wide, well-maintained roads and excellent signposting.

The I-4 is the main road running through Orlando, connecting the theme park zones of Universal, SeaWorld and Disney, so it's likely you'll do plenty of driving along it. Luckily it has at least six lanes (eight in some parts, and being widened to ten), so traffic usually flows freely.

Meanwhile, International Drive – I-Drive to its friends – is Orlando's 'tourist strip'. This road runs parallel to the I-4 and is lined with fun attractions, places to eat and shopping centres. It can get busy, especially in the mornings and early evenings, when the theme park crowds are on the move.

There are plenty of car rental places dotted along I-Drive, and they are usually located in hotels. For example, you have Alamo in the Hyatt Regency, Enterprise in the Rosen Centre Hotel, Budget in the Embassy Suites by Hilton, and Alamo at the Four Points by Sheraton. You'll also find car hire companies in the Universal and Disney resorts. Wherever you're staying, it's easy to arrange a cheap rental deal.

Almost every Orlando attraction has parking, from theme parks to shopping malls to restaurants, though theme parks usually charge (see driving tips, below). If you want to take the trolley bus along I-Drive, you can leave your car at Pointe Orlando or the I-Drive 360 complex, but don't expect to be able to walk the length of this central tourist road as it is eleven miles long.

Kennedy Space Centre

Driving time: One hour

Anyone with an interest in space travel should do a day trip to the Kennedy Space Centre on Florida's 'Space Coast', where you can tour launch sites, see rockets, experience a simulated shuttle launch, meet real-life astronauts and more! The Beachline Expressway toll road takes you straight there.

Busch Gardens

Driving time: One hour 20 minutes

Although Orlando spoils visitors with its theme parks, it's still worth driving to Tampa for Busch Gardens. This park is animal-themed, with plenty of zoo attractions to break up the fantastic thrill rides.

Clearwater

Driving time: Two hours

There are waterparks galore in Orlando, but those craving soft white sands won't be disappointed if they make the trip to Clearwater on Florida's Gulf Coast. The beautiful beach is the main attraction, and there's a little marina where you can join boat trips out to sea.

1. The minimum age to hire a car in Orlando in 2018 is 21, with extra charges for drivers aged between 21 and 25. If your companion is over 25 it will be cheaper to let them do the driving.


2. Your car hire company may offer you a pre-pay toll road pass that allows you to use a fast-track lane. However, they don't always offer good value for money. Plan your routes in advance to work out the potential toll road cost.


3. Driving is usually the quickest and easiest way to the theme parks, but parking costs can add up. Many hotels run free buses to the main parks, so it’s worth checking before you pay for a parking pass.