Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral
Getting from Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral — 45 min, 45 miles
Transfer Options
Shuttle from Orlando Airport (MCO)
MCO is about 45 miles from Port Canaveral, roughly 45 min by car. Several shuttle companies run scheduled transfers from MCO to Port Canaveral. Shared shuttles cost $25-35 per person; private SUVs run $120-180 for up to 6 passengers.
Book a private shuttle if you have 3+ people — the per-person cost beats shared shuttles and you go straight to the port without multiple hotel stops. Confirm pickup time based on your flight landing, not departure.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
Uber and Lyft both operate from MCO to Port Canaveral. Expect $50-80 for a standard ride, more during surge pricing. The ride takes about 45 minutes.
Request your ride from the designated rideshare pickup area at MCO — Level 2 of the parking garage for Terminals A and B, or Level 4 of the separate Terminal C building if that's where you land. Check your terminal before you walk. On embarkation day mornings, prices can surge — check the app early and consider scheduling a ride in advance.
Hotel Shuttle
Many hotels near the port offer free or low-cost shuttles to the terminal on embarkation days, even if you're not using a park-and-cruise package.
Ask about shuttle schedules when you book your hotel. Most run every 30-60 minutes starting at 10am. Confirm the shuttle goes to your specific terminal — some hotels only shuttle to Side A or Side B.
Drive Yourself — Port Parking
Official Port Canaveral parking is next to each cruise terminal. The current rate is $20 per day plus tax for vehicles and RVs, and both the arrival and departure days are charged. Payment is due when you enter the lot; reservations are not accepted and cash is not accepted.
Take the Beachline (528) — it's a straight shot and well-signed. Have a SunPass or another accepted toll-payment method, then follow signs to your ship's terminal.
Drive Yourself — Off-Site Parking
Off-site lots near the port offer significant savings over on-site parking. Go Port advertises parking from $7.95/day at its plaza on North Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island, with departure-day shuttles from 10:30 AM and returns from 7:00 AM until debarkation finishes. Cruise Parking Port Canaveral on SR-528 is another reliable option at $8-10/day. Both offer covered and uncovered options — covered costs a few dollars more per day but is worth it if you're leaving your car for a week in the Florida sun.
Book online in advance — off-site lots fill up on busy embarkation days (Saturday and Sunday are the worst). Most shuttles start running at 10am. For a 7-day cruise, off-site saves you $56-84 versus port parking. Keep your reservation confirmation on your phone — you'll need it at check-in.
Park-and-Cruise Hotel Package
Many hotels near the port bundle a night's stay with parking for the duration of your cruise plus a shuttle to the terminal. You drive in the night before, sleep, then shuttle to the port in the morning while your car stays at the hotel. Radisson Resort at the Port, Country Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral, and Residence Inn Cape Canaveral all offer reliable park-and-cruise packages. Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach is another solid option if you want a beach-adjacent stay.
This is often the best overall deal — you avoid rush-hour port traffic, get a good night's sleep, and parking for a 7-day cruise at an off-site lot alone would run $56-84. Book the park-and-cruise package directly through the hotel website for the best rates. Confirm shuttle times when you check in — most start running at 10am.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle from Orlando Airport (MCO) | $25-35/person (shared) or $120-180 (private, up to 6) | Fly-in cruisers who don't want to rent a car |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $50-80 from MCO (varies with demand) | Small groups who want door-to-door service without booking ahead |
| Hotel Shuttle | Free to $15/person (varies by hotel) | Anyone staying near the port the night before |
| Drive Yourself — Port Parking | $20/day plus tax + tolls from MCO | Anyone who wants the convenience of walking straight from their car to the terminal |
| Drive Yourself — Off-Site Parking | $8-12/day (free shuttle to terminal included) | Budget-conscious cruisers who don't mind a 5-10 minute shuttle ride to the terminal |
| Park-and-Cruise Hotel Package | $90-150 total (1 night hotel + parking for full cruise + shuttle) | Anyone driving in from more than 2 hours away or wanting a stress-free embarkation morning |
Local Tip
Whichever transfer you book, confirm the pickup point for your specific MCO terminal — Terminals A and B share one rideshare/taxi area, but Terminal C is a separate building with its own pickup level. If you're booking a scheduled shuttle rather than rideshare, confirm its last morning departure before your flight lands, not after. Arriving internationally? Budget 60-90 minutes for immigration and customs before you reach any of this. If you are flying in from outside the US, sort your entry authorization before you book: most visa-waiver travelers need an approved ESTA, it is not issued at the airport, and without one the airline will not board you. Apply through the official CBP site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — never a paid intermediary.
Once you arrive, find your terminal:
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