Car rental in Orlando

Car Rental in Orlando, Florida: traveling to the amusement park capital of the U.S.

Orlando is truly the amusement park capital of the United States, if not the world. Home to Universal and Sea World and neighbor to Disney World and LEGOLAND, among numerous other parks, Orlando draws millions of visitors each year. The city itself is also well worth exploring while you visit these numerous parks! Make the most of your car rental by exploring the wider Orlando region as well.

Weather in Orlando stays fairly constant year round. 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) is typical for the summer, and 24 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) is typical for the winter—though every four years or so, Orlando does see some snow! Unlike most tourist areas, you’re likely to see some of the best weather in off-peak tourist seasons.

The de facto national language of the United States is English, which is also the native language of the vast majority of Floridians. However, 20% of Orlando’s inhabitants’ mother tongue is Spanish. The original language spoken in the Florida area was Timicuan, one of the few indigenous languages that is considered officially extinct today.

The currency throughout the United States is the dollar. Currency exchange is available at airports and popular tourist destinations, and credit cards are accepted at the vast majority of businesses.

Orlando is in the Eastern Time Zone, UTC-5.

Automobile hire is available in 50 locations throughout Orlando, including car rental in the Orlando Airport (MCO), the Jet Port, downtown, and on International Drive.

The Kennedy Space Center and nearby Port Canaveral (1 hour east of Orlando) are also well worth a visit, as are the natural wonders of the manatees at the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge and the nearby Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park (1.5 hours west).

Visa Regulations

38 nationalities can enter the United States as tourists without applying for a visa, though if you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. Visit esta.us for more information. Visitors to the United States will be fingerprinted and biometrically photographed upon entry. If your nationality is not included in the visa-waiver program, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

Driving in Orlando

Driving is the best way to explore the Orlando area, particularly because the majority of the city’s sights lie outside downtown. Roads are wide and easy to navigate, though you’ll certainly run into some congestion. Many visitors often find local driving quite aggressive, so drive defensively to avoid any accidents.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout the USA.

Speed Limits

• In business and residential areas: 30 mph (circa 50 km/h)
• On highways and turnpikes near the city: 55-65 mph (circa 80-110 km/h)
• On rural interstates and limited access highways: 70 mph (circa 110 km/h)
• As a major tourist area, typical business morning and evening rush hours in Orlando are also influenced by 11 am and 3 pm hotel check-in and check-out times.

Other Regulations

1. While there is typically parking available in downtown Orlando and at the area’s numerous amusement parks, you should expect to pay fees for the privilege of leaving your car! Street parking is free after 6 pm and on Sundays in the city, but you can expect to pay around $20 a visit to any amusement park any time.
2. Your domestic driver’s license is valid in Florida.
3. There are numerous toll roads in and around Orlando. Ask your rental company if your car includes a SunPass transponder.
4. While the minimum driving age in Florida is 16, you will have to be 21 years of age to rent a car. Drivers under 25 may be charged extra.

Cheap Car Rental in Orlando

Automobile hire in Orlando typically starts as low as $25 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Orlando:

• Hyundai Accent or similar (economy class) – $25/day
• Nissan Versa or similar (compact class) – $26/day
• Toyota Corolla or similar (intermediate class) – $30/day
• Volkswagen Jetta or similar (standard class) – $31/day
• Chevrolet Impala or similar (fullsize class) – $32/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Orlando

While there may be some seasonal variation in price for rental cars in Orlando, you can typically save the most money by booking your car within four months of your arrival date. If it’s necessary for you to plan farther ahead, you’ll likely find that cars will cost at least $30 a day.

The cheapest place to book your rental car is at the airport, where rental car agencies such as Green Motion and Europcar keep prices low. Hertz is one of the most pervasive agencies in Orlando, with locations throughout the city, but their prices typically start around $40 a day.

You can also typically save upwards of $15 a day by extending your rental period to over a week!