Car hire in Orlando at the Best Prices

Affectionately referred to as "The Theme Park Capital of the World", Orlando, Florida is an incredibly popular tourist destination. The city is home to the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, along with a multitude of other well-known attractions. In addition to theme parks, thanks to its convenient location in central Florida, Orlando makes the perfect starting point for visiting nearby cities and beaches. Fit everything into one incredible trip with a car hire in Orlando .

Auto Europe has been helping clients with their international car hire needs for nearly 60 years. We provide an extensive selection of vehicles available for hire in the United States and worldwide, ranging from economy cars to passenger vans. We strive to exceed your expectations by offering the guaranteed lowest rates, along with the best support service. We also offer an array of convenient pick-up locations, including at the Orlando International Airport and offices in downtown Orlando.

Traffic

The United States counts with a highly efficient network of 4 million miles of public roads, most of which are very well maintained. Drivers heading downtown from the airport will take only 22 minutes via S Semoran Blvd and FL-408 W. Those driving south towards Miami can follow Florida's Turnpike to SW 4th Ave and take advantage of a beautiful scenic journey.

When driving your car hire in Orlando, keep in mind that traffic drives on the right. Like most other major cities, Orlando experiences frequent gridlock and traffic jams during peak travel times, usually after 7am and during the afternoon, after 4pm. There are some helpful traffic advisory resources available for travellers, such as mobile device applications and a free automated traffic advisory system provided by the Florida Department of Transportation that is available by dialing 511. Additionally, for more information, please visit our USA driving information page.

Parking

It is fairly easy to find affordable, safe, accessible and clean parking spaces throughout Orlando. There are numerous garages offering covered parking, as well as surface lots and street spaces near most major attractions. Downtown Orland counts with 11 different garages or lots that are opened 24h/ day, or between 5:30am and 11pm during the week, depending on the establishment. Hourly rates vary from $2-$15. On-street meters charge an hourly rate of $1.

Orlando Airports

Orlando International Airport is located 6 miles southeast of Orlando. It is the second busiest airport in the state of Florida and the thirteenth busiest in the United States. This completely functional airport has 2 Terminals and is able to handle over 40.2 million passengers per year. The airport code MCO stands for the facility's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, but some individuals jokingly say it actually stands for "Mickey's Corporate Office", due to the airport´s close proximity to Walt Disney World.

In addition, Orlando also counts with a secondary airport, the Sanford Orlando International Airport , located 30 minutes away from the city centre.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Address: 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
Website: www.orlandoairports.net/
Telephone: (407) 825-2001

Sanford Orlando International Airport (SFB)
Address: 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773
Website: www.orlandosanfordairport.com/
Telephone: (407) 585-4000

Must Do

Orlando is undoubtedly known for being a kid's paradise, whether for young children or adults with an inner child! Between Walt Disney World, with its water parks and places like the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and Universal Orlando, comprised of the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, there is no shortage of fun here! Not to mention all the incredible beaches, trendy restaurants and nightclubs. Take a look at our list below with recommendations from the best places to see and things to do in Orlando.

• Walt Disney World

  Perhaps the most desired holiday destination for kids, Walt Disney World is a massive resort featuring four theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios. In addition, you can also visit two water parks, the Disney's Blizzard Beach and the Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Meet all your favourite Disney characters, eat the most delicious and creative meals, go on all the interactive rides, animal adventures, magical attractions, and shops spread throughout nearly 47 square-miles. Be sure to book your stay in one of the over 20 resort hotels available.

• Universal Orlando

  Founded in the 90's, this entertainment complex has been increasing the amount of attractions and absolute excitement it has to offer ever since! Universal Orlando consists of the Volcano Bay Water Park and two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. There is also a night-time entertainment complex known as Universal City Walk Orlando. Visitors can go online to book their entrance tickets and discounted packages in advance. It is also a good idea to stay in one of their five Loews Hotels or resorts nearby.

• Orlando Eye

  Why not see the city of Orlando from a different perspective? The Orlando Eye is a 400 feet tall Ferris wheel which provides one of the most incredible views of Orlando. Even though it was inaugurated in 2015, it's already popular amongst visitors. Our recommendation is to buy your tickets online to save 10%. You will be able to skip the line and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from 10am to 10pm every day except Saturdays, when it closes at midnight.

• Orlando Science Center

  This state-of-the-art Center is a great way to combine fun and knowledge. With 500,000 plus annually visitors, this is one of the lesser known attractions in Orlando, even though it is a fantastic place to go. Here you can learn about science and the latest technology through experience-based activities. There are multiple exhibitions within this space, varying from 3D movies, replicas of Florida's ecosystem, dinosaurs and the solar system.

• Harry P Leu Gardens

  Tourists looking for some down time away from theme parks and fantastic rides can seek refuge in this incredible 50-acre botanic garden near Lake Rowena. These semi-tropical and tropical gardens include roses, 200-year-old oaks, insects' exhibition, forests of camellias and even a butterfly garden! Plan to spend at least three hours here and remember to bring your camera - and lots of sunscreen!

Day Trips

Just a few hours from Orlando, tourists can visit other popular US destinations, bask in the sun and the sand, spend some time in one of the many Floridian casinos, surf and swim in the clear sea and enjoy one of the best shopping experiences in the world. There are so many beautiful places to see! But we narrowed down to three of our top recommendations:

Jacksonville

Just 140 miles north of Orlando lies Jacksonville, the "River City by the Sea", largest city in Florida. Here, the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean and the natural beauties truly don't disappoint. This is also an important regional business center, with many entertainment options such as museums, shopping centres, golf courses and excellent beaches. In fact, there are more than 20 miles of uncrowded beaches that are guaranteed to make your day trip worthwhile!

Daytona Beach

The year-round good weather and the proximity to Orlando makes Daytona Beach the perfect day trip. Make sure to bring your sunscreen, because here you will enjoy the sun at the beach, practice a wide range of water and motorsports, and eat the best sea food in a restaurant by the shore. You can also take advantage of the shopping scene, the exciting nightlife, and the multiple cultural events throughout the city.

Miami

This Cuban flavoured city in the southeastern part of Florida is worldwide famous for its glamorous neighborhoods, expensive shopping streets and sandy beaches. Miami is one of the most popular destination spots in the US for a reason! It's easy to have a good time exploring the cigar shops in Calle Ocho in Little Havana, practicing water sports near the shore, admiring the colorful art deco buildings or dancing in the trendiest nightclubs. From Orlando, a 3h and 30 min drive south can take you to this amazing place.

Geographic Information & History

Upon observing a map of Orlando, it is easy to tell that this region is mostly flat wetlands, constituted by a multitude of lakes and swamps. The largest one is called Lake Apopka with 48.13 mi². Due to this wet terrain, the greater Orlando area, which houses over 2,387,138 inhabitants, is very susceptible to sinkholes. Yet, over 68 million tourists flock to Orlando every year, attracted by the excellent weather and the many attractions offered. The highest temperature, averaging 28°C (which in the States corresponds to 82°F) occurs in July, as well as the highest amount of rain. The lowest temperatures occur in January at 15°C (59°F) and the month with the most daily sunshine is June, at 11 hours.

Orlando also has a rich history, dating back to 1838, when a fort was built by the US Army in this area to house and protect settlers. The next years saw a small community growing around the fort, known as Jernigan. Eventually, the Town of Orlando was incorporated in 1875 with only 85 inhabitants. From then until 1895 Orlando became the hub of Florida's citrus industry, a period known as the Golden Era. Nowadays, Orlando is the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the country. It is also regarded as a tourism mecca and a global leader in innovation with cutting edge industries.

Public Transportation

In addition to the airports, there are a number of public transportation services that are able to help you get around Orlando and nearby places, or to the designated office to pick up your Auto Europe car rental.

Rail

The Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC), services the entire area of Orlando. And train passengers can also enjoy easy access to the Amtrak intercity rail system Amtrak, operated from the Orlando Amtrak Station south of downtown. For instance, it's possible to reach other destinations such as Miami and New York City. Additionally the city counts with SunRail, a local commuter rail system connecting Orlando to Debary. A one-way trip costs $2.00, while a round-trip fare is $3.75 and 7-day SunCard costs $17.00.

Bus

Orlando is also served by LYNX, a service that provides local transit service to a five-county area of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk and Volusia. A single ticket costs $2.00 and a seven-day pass costs $8.00. Greyhound Lines offer intercity bus service from their downtown Orlando Station to multiple locations across the US. In addition, there is a free line that runs around downtown, LYMMO, which allows tourists to sightsee most of this vibrant city.

Taxis

While traveling in the downtown area, taxis can be easily hailed on a regular basis. A few of the more prominent names are Mears Transportation, Star Taxi and United Taxi. Taxis are also readily available in and around the Amway Center, Orlando Convention Center, all major theme parks and airports. A ride from Orlando International Airport to the city centre, for instance, costs around $20/$32. Furthermore, several options of shutter services from the airport can be arranged every day of the week.

Useful links

Tourism Information

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