The ULTIMATE Guide To Getting To Port Canaveral From Orlando Airport (MCO)

Getting TO Orlando International Airport (MCO) is pretty straightforward.

It’s getting from MCO to your final Florida destination that has gotten a little more complicated.

And if your final destination is Port Canaveral for a cruise, you’ve got LOTS of options, so we’ve done the digging to help you find the perfect option for you and your travel party. The ride is about 45 minutes each way, so you’ll want to plan ahead to ensure you, your family, and your wallet are comfortable for the nearly-an-hour journey.

To streamline your options, we’ve divided them into four main categories:

• Shuttles
• Private Transportation
• Unique Transportation
• Large Group Transportation

SHUTTLES

Official Cruise Shuttles

Many cruise lines like Disney and Carnival provide their own shuttle services for their passengers from Orlando to Port Canaveral and back again. Each cruise line is different, so speak to your cruise line or travel agent when booking to iron out the transport details and prices, as well. Often, these shuttle services can be more expensive than third-party options like ones we’ll get into later, but they’re also more reliable and, if they’re running late, your cruise won’t leave without you.

If you’re sailing on the Disney Cruise Line, you can visit their site or call  (800) 951-3532 for more details on this service and price points.

Hotel Shuttles

If you’re staying at a hotel in the Port Canaveral area before your cruise, some hotels offer shuttle services or participate in a Park/Cruise/Fly option where you can sandwich your cruise with a hotel stay and work with them to coordinate your airport transportation. Some hotels like Comfort Inn and Suites Cocoa Beach and Marriott Courtyard  Cocoa Beach-Port Canaveral are good options if you have hotel needs.

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

Taxi

Taxis are one of the most accessible yet expensive options to travel from the MCO airports to Port Canaveral. TaxiFareFinder estimates the rates from the Orlando International Airport to the terminal are about $130 per car for up to four people.

Don’t forget to tip for service and any extra baggage handling. And if you’re traveling with more than four people, you may have to splurge for a larger vehicle, which could cost more.

Rideshare

Though you’ll have to account for surge pricing, the ride-share option tends to be cheaper than a taxi service. You’ll get the extra perk of selecting the ride vehicle from the app. Depending on the surge prices and the vehicle size, you can expect to pay from $55-$90 for a one-way trip to Port Canaveral.

Again, be sure to set aside some extra money to tip appropriately.

Car Rental

Renting a car can be a good option if you plan to spend some time in the Orlando area visiting other attractions or theme parks around your cruise.

There are many companies to choose from at the airports that also have offices near Cape Canaveral, so a one-way rental is usually possible, but it often comes with an extra fee. If you decide to keep your car for the duration of your cruise, you’ll also need to factor in the parking fees. But if you have a car rental membership or credit card reward points, you can often save some money.

Be aware, there are toll roads on the route from the Orlando International Airport. You can avoid these by simply checking the ‘Avoid Tolls’ option in Google Maps when calculating the navigation, but remember this will add time to your drive.

UNIQUE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

Limousine

There are several options to get you to Port Canaveral to begin your Disney Cruise. AllEars® recommends our preferred ground transportation service, Happy Limo. Happy Limousine provides reliable and convenient transportation to or from the Port Canaveral pier, Orlando airport, or hotels.

Party Bus

You can book a party bus to travel to Port Canaveral with some fun. Orlando Chauffeur Services has stellar reviews online and has a variety of party buses for every group size. The party buses can carry up to 24 people. You’ll be paying anywhere from $200-$350, but when you consider how many people it will cover, that may not be a bad price.

Helicopter

If you’re not a fan of getting stuck in traffic, no matter who’s driving, perhaps you’ve thought about just flying over it all. And since you’re at an airport anyway, why not look into renting a helicopter to just float you on over to Port Canaveral? The Heli Team is one of the most popular charter services in the city. This is certainly the most expensive transportation option from Orlando to Cape Canaveral, but there’s no doubt that it also comes with the most beautiful views and definitely starts the vacation off with a bang!

LARGE GROUP TRANSPORTATION

Private Shuttle Service

If you’re traveling with a large group — like a big family reunion or school or church group, a charter bus or shuttle might be the way to go. Many companies offer charter buses in and around Orlando, and this list will help you start your search:

• Phoenix Bus
• US Coachways
• National Bus Charter
• Gogo Charters
• Orlando Charter Bus Company
• Academy Bus

The buses can hold up to about 60 people, and the prices vary but range around $120 to $180 per hour. Some companies may require a minimum rental time that increases the price, and a deposit. Most also require calling to get a quote and book the services, so you can get more details over the phone to find the exact rates for your group size.

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