Orlando Airports

Orlando benefits from two airports: Orlando Sanford International Airport and Orlando International Airport.

Orlando Sanford International Airport

Orlando Sanford International Airport (airport code SFB) is located to the north of Orlando.

The airport is a mixed commercial and passenger airport which means it handles both types of aircraft. Due to this and tightly packed flight schedules, the airport is one of the world's busiest airports (in terms of air traffic).

It's location is a little out of the way for most tourists. For example, the distance from Orlando Sanford International Airport to Sea World is approximately 45 miles and would take you an hour. A seat on a bus operated by Orlando Carriers (for example) to International Drive would cost you around $25 USD one way per person. If you have a large party (or you club together with another family travelling to your destination), a 10 seater van would cost around $12 USD per person (based on full capacity) on way.

A list of taxi and shuttle services can be found on the Sanford International Airport website.

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport Orlando International Airport (airport code MCO) can be found to the east of the major attractions in Orlando. Sea World is just over 14 miles away which is around half an hour. Using Mears Transportation, a one way ticket in a Shuttle van to International Drive would cost around $17 USD.

A list of taxi and shuttle services, together with approximate costs, can be found on the Orlando International Airport website. The approximate cost of a taxi to International Drive is around $40 USD (fill up on passengers to bring the average cost per person down!). To contrast this, a bus (Lynx, number 42) will cost around $1.75 USD per person one way.

We landed at Orlando International Airport as this was closest to the resorts.

Once off the plane, we walked into a Customs checkpoint area. Customs checks took less than an hour (the majority of that time was spent in a queue). We then went to baggage claim where we collected our hold luggage. We then proceeded to board a monorail that connected the outlying landing terminal with the main terminal.

Having left cold Manchester early in the morning, we landed wearing thick jumpers - a bad idea in Florida! The first time we stepped into fresh air was like stepping from an air conditioned cold room into a jungle. Orlando was very humid (almost sticky) and hot. Needless to say, we didn't put the jumpers back on until we were back in Manchester.

Prices were correct as of June 2008. Orlando International Airport image © mrkathika

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