Arriving at airport and seeking transportation to hotel?

Question

I will be arriving to Orlando International Airport on 4/2/2007 around 8pm at night. What is the best way to get to my hotel that is around 15 miles away ? This is my first time going to Orlando. Thanks!

As for transportation: I would like to know what is the price range for cabs & shuttle and stuff like that. Never been there so I would like to know :) Thank You Guys! :)

Answer 1

I'm assuming you have checked with your hotel to make sure they don't offer a shuttle. If you haven't, I would suggest doing that just to make sure, since it is a little ways away, they may not.

You could also check into getting a taxi, this may be a little expensive. I'm not sure of the exact rates, but taxis can be pretty expensive and the rate really goes up fast. Taxis are not hard to find, so you shouldn't have a problem.

You could also check with Mears. Since they are a shuttle service, they tend to offer the lowest rates, but can be a little slow since they usually try to fill the van before leaving and you may have many stops along the way as well. You also have public transportation, like Lynx, but I've not used them, so I don't really know how it works, or what the rates would be, where you would catch the bus, etc.

Finally, you have a private transfer. This is the way I go. It is fast, easy and convenient. As far as price, it should be less than $100 plus tip, it would depend on the company and your hotel for the exact price. You just call them up, reserve your transfer (you can get a town car, limo, van, etc. whatever you need, different companies have different options) and then they are waiting for you at the airport, take your luggage, etc.

Have a great time in Orlando!

Answer 2

I checked out the official site of the Orlando International Airport to try and get some real-deal answers for you.

Shuttles leave from both the A and B sides of the main terminal on level one. One thing to take into consideration is whether you'll need a return ride to the airport from your hotel -- presumably you will -- because it's cheaper to buy a round-trip ticket than it is two singles. You didn't say exactly where your hotel is located, but a shuttle to downtown Orlando should cost around $16 ($26 return), while International Drive will run you $17 ($27 return). To Walt Disney World itself -- around 16 miles from the airport -- you're looking at $19 ($31 return), which is the same price for a trip out to Lake Buena Vista.

In a cab, on the other hand, you should expect to pay about $35 for a ride to downtown Orlando, and between $33-$39 for International Drive. Lake Buena Vista will run you about $47, and Walt Disney World will cost a whopping $55-$60. Taxis are available in the same place you'll find the shuttle, on level one on both A and B sides of the terminal.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you'll be traveling by yourself or with a group -- if it's the latter, you might be better taking a taxi, as shuttles charge a fee per person. For example, for four adults going one-way by shuttle to downtown Orlando, the cost will be $16 each. If the same four adults share a taxi, however, it'll be only $8.75 each.

The phone number for the Mears Transportation Group -- which runs both shuttles and taxis -- is [phone]. The website is www.mearstransportation.com.

As always, don't forget to add on a tip when you're factoring your transport calculations; between 15 and 20 percent is usually good. And remember to have cash with you; paying cab and shuttle drivers by credit or debit card is unusual.

As a last resort, you could always hire a chauffeured limousine for $50-$85 an hour -- talk about arriving in style!

Answer 3

Since this is your first trip to Orlando, you may want to consider renting a car. The Kissimmee/Orlando area is not very transportation friendly. You will be able to hire transportation from the airport to your hotel and from the hotel back to the airport. You may be staying at a resort where you can spend the majority of your time at the resort but there will come a time when you will want to get out and explore the many things the Kissimmee/Orlando area has to offer. It will be less costly to rent a car during your stay than to depend on taxi cabs and shuttles from your hotel.
Enjoy your trip

Answer 4

If you're going to be here for any length of time, you might just rent a car. It would give you some freedom if you wanted to go to the beach, malls or other attractions. Our Lynx bus can be scary on the outskirts and those pay shuttles can get pricey. If you're staying at/near Disney, the hotel might send a shuttle to the airport so check with them. We've got more hotels here than I can count so hospitality should be plentiful, call and ask the concierge about transport and if they don't offer it, ask if they can get you a discount with Mears or Luxury.

Answer 5

I always use Mears Transportation - they are located right there at the airport. You can make reservations in advance or just walk up to the counter. They have shuttles that serve most hotels or you can get a private towncar...

Have a good trip...

http://www.mearstransportation.com/

Answer 6

many hotels have there own transport system so \when you arrive at the airport in florida use the free phones at baggage claim to phone the hotel and they will usually send out a shuttle/bus

Answer 7

Mears Motorcoach is located at airport and although not required, advance reservations are good. They are normally about $28 round trip (or at least that was the price a few years ago) have a great time!