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MCO · Orlando, FL · Major Hub

Orlando International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Orlando International Airport (MCO), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 2 terminals
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: Follow your airline's check-in deadline
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Orlando International Airport has 2 terminals. Transfer system: Automated people mover within each terminal; shuttle between terminals landside. Airsides are reached from the main landside building via people mover. T-A/B and T-C are separate landside facilities; transfer between them requires shuttle or APM.

Terminal A/B (North)

8 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and more

Main terminal with airsides 1, 2, 3, 4.

Terminal C (South)

5 airlines: JetBlue, Aer Lingus, Emirates, Avianca, Virgin Atlantic

Newer terminal opened 2022; served by Brightline intercity rail.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
Automated people mover within each terminal; shuttle between terminals landside
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at MCO

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at MCO: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at MCO

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about MCO? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at MCO vary by time of day and checkpoint. We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by MCO, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Check live MCO security wait times

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

MCO has added Innovation Lanes.

Lounges

1 notable lounge at MCO, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

The Club MCO

Airside 4

Priority Pass

Access: Priority Pass, day pass

Amenities: Bar, Showers

Amenities

5 of 7 core amenities available at MCO: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

The Club MCO

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All airsides and terminals

Chapel

Available

Main Terminal, level 3

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Airside 4: McCoy's Bar & Grill, Outback Steakhouse

Ground transport to Orlando

No official source we checked publishes a ride time from MCO to downtown Orlando.

OptionCostTime
Brightline
Train
Brightline runs from the airport station to West Palm Beach (about 2 hours) and Miami (about 3.5 hours). Not to downtown Orlando.
Varies120-210 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
VariesVaries
Mears Connect / Disney
Shuttle
Shared shuttle to theme park hotels.
$16Varies

Sailing from Port Canaveral? Step-by-step: MCO to Port Canaveral

Parking

MCO parking ranges from $14/day economy to $24/day short-term. Daily maximums: terminal garages (A, B, C, Terminal Top) $24, surface lots $20, Park Place economy $14. Valet is $35/day.

Short-term
$24/day
Long-term
$20/day
Economy
$14/day
Valet
$35/day

Can I leave MCO during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside MCO. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Orlando.

Most MCO layovers stay inside; the Hyatt inside the terminal is a good reset for long connections. Brightline trains run to West Palm Beach and Miami, not downtown Orlando.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Hyatt Regency Orlando International
    On-airport
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at MCO?

We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by Orlando International Airport, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at MCO?

MCO requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Automated people mover within each terminal; shuttle between terminals landside.

How long does it take to get between terminals at MCO?

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for MCO, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

Can I leave MCO during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside MCO. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Most MCO layovers stay inside; the Hyatt inside the terminal is a good reset for long connections. Brightline trains run to West Palm Beach and Miami, not downtown Orlando.

Does MCO have showers?

Yes, MCO has showers at The Club MCO.

Does MCO have sleep pods?

MCO does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at MCO?

Yes. MCO offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from MCO to Orlando?

The cheapest option is typically Mears Connect / Disney at $16, taking a variable amount of time. Shared shuttle to theme park hotels.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MCO?

MCO supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, and MCO posts live wait times on its website. MCO has added Innovation Lanes.

Where should I eat at MCO during a layover?

Notable dining at MCO includes McCoy's Bar & Grill (Airside 4), Outback Steakhouse (Airside 4).

How much does parking cost at MCO?

MCO parking rates: $24/day short-term, $20/day long-term, $14/day economy, $35/day valet. Daily maximums: terminal garages (A, B, C, Terminal Top) $24, surface lots $20, Park Place economy $14. Valet is $35/day.

Is there a hotel at MCO for overnight layovers?

Yes. Hyatt Regency Orlando International is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at MCO?

MCO has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal A/B (North): Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines; Terminal C (South): JetBlue, Aer Lingus, Emirates. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at MCO?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Can I cruise from Orlando?

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of MCO: Port Canaveral (42 mi), Port Tampa Bay (78 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at MCO?

Yes. Main Terminal, level 3.

Compare MCO to other airports

See how MCO ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversMCO is workable for 6h+ layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTMCO dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on Orlando and MCO

Go deeper on connecting through MCO and on visiting Orlando.

Airlines operating at MCO

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of MCO.

Pack for your Orlando trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by MCO.

Cruise ports near MCO

Cruise terminals within 100 miles of Orlando International Airport.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Orlando International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.