Airport
Orlando International Airport
IATA Code: MCOLocation: The airport is situated nine miles (11km) southeast of Orlando.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Contacts: Tel: +1 407 825 8463.
Transfer to the city: Public transport facilities are to be found on the Ground Transportation Concourse on Level 1 of Terminal 1. Lynx buses numbers 11, 41, 42 and 51 depart every 30 minutes, between 5.30am and 11.30pm, for downtown Orlando, the trip taking about 40 minutes and costing $1.50. Many hotels provide free shuttles for guests. Taxis are available on Level 1 on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal, and may carry up to 9 passengers with metered rates.
Taxis: Taxis are available on Level 1 on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal, and may carry up to 9 passengers with metered rates. Trips to downtown Orlando take approximately 20 minutes and cost $35.
Car rental: Numerous major car hire companies are represented at the airport, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar and National.
Facilities: Passenger services at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange, information centres, Internet kiosks and postal services. There are a wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops, including duty free. The Kennedy Space Center, Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World all have their own branded shops. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: There are three parking lots adjacent to the main terminals, and three more further away. It is generally quicker to park in the off-site lots and take the free shuttle bus to the terminals, as the parking lots nearby the terminals are often full. There is also a cell phone parking lot.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.orlandoairports.net
Orlando Sanford International Airport
IATA Code: SFBLocation: The airport is located 22 miles (about 35km) northeast of Orlando.
Time: Local time is GMT -5 (GMT -4 between March and November).
Contacts: Tel: +1 407 585 4500
Transfer between terminals: A shuttle bus service connects terminals A and B.
Transfer to the city: Lynx bus #33 serves the airport, stopping right outside the terminal buildings.
Taxis: Taxis are available outside the arrivals area. Expect to pay around $60 to get to downtown Orlando from the airport.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget and Hertz.
Facilities: Facilities include ATMs, bureaux de change, restaurants and cafes, Internet access, and the Royal Palm Lounge.
Parking: Short-term parking available, at $2 for every 30 minutes.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.orlandosanfordairport.com
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Orlando
The most famous resident of this central Florida city is Mickey Mouse, the cartoon creation of animated movie tycoon, Walt Disney, whose vision has turned Orlando, and the adjacent Lake Buena Vista and Kissimee areas, into the world's busiest, biggest and best-known concentrated tourist Mecca. Disney bought up land in the area with the aim of establishing his dream theme park back in the 1960s. He died before the first park, the Magic Kingdom, officially opened in 1971, but his legacy has taken root and is still growing. Currently the Disney empire in Orlando includes four theme parks, dozens of smaller attractions, thousands of hotel rooms and holiday apartments, hundreds of restaurants and snack bars and even two cruise ships. It is not only the Disney dazzle that draws visitors to Orlando. There are other attractions here too, like Universal Studios and Sea World, all adding to the maelstrom of thrills and pleasure palaces that this city is now renowned for. Just a trip down attraction-rich International Drive is a mind-boggling experience.
