Quick Summary:
- Follow purple “Train to Terminal A/B” signs after arriving in Terminal C.
- Ride the automated people mover to Terminal A, then exit to Ground Transportation.
- Use the pedestrian link to the Rental Car Center, then choose your company counter.
- Allow 15 to 25 minutes from gate to car, longer at peak times.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) Terminal C is modern, spacious, and slightly separate from the main terminals, which can make first-time arrivals wonder where the car hire desks actually are. The good news is that the route is well signposted and designed for passengers with luggage. You will take the airport’s automated train to the main terminal complex, then walk into the dedicated Rental Car Center (RCC) to find your provider and collect keys.
If you have arranged car hire in advance, you can find helpful airport-specific details on Hola Car Rentals pages such as Orlando Airport car rental and car rental in Orlando MCO, but the directions below work regardless of company.
Step-by-step: Terminal C arrivals to the Rental Car Center
Step 1: Arrive in Terminal C and head towards the exit flow. After landing, follow the standard “Arrivals” and “Baggage Claim” signs. If you have checked luggage, collect it first. If you are travelling carry-on only, you can continue straight on towards Ground Transportation signage as soon as you are in the public arrivals area.
Step 2: Look for the purple train signs to Terminal A and B. From Terminal C, the Rental Car Center is not located within the same building. You need to take the automated people mover (train) that connects Terminal C to the main terminal complex (Terminal A and Terminal B). The signs you want typically reference “Train to Terminal A/B” or “Terminal Link.” Keep an eye out for purple directional signage, and continue following it until you reach the station entrance.
Step 3: Take the automated people mover from Terminal C to Terminal A/B. The train is driverless, frequent, and designed for passengers with luggage. Platforms are accessible, and trains run continuously throughout the day. If you are travelling with children, buggies, or multiple suitcases, it is still straightforward, just allow a little extra time to manoeuvre onto the carriage. Stay onboard until the main terminal stop for Terminal A/B.
Step 4: Enter the main terminal complex and follow Ground Transportation directions. When you exit the train at Terminal A/B, you will be inside the main terminal area. Follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars.” You are aiming for the route that leads you out of the terminal and towards the purpose-built Rental Car Center building. Do not follow signage for taxis, rideshare pick-up, or hotel shuttles unless that is your intended plan.
Step 5: Walk the pedestrian route into the Rental Car Center (RCC). Orlando’s RCC is a separate building linked by covered walkways and clear signage. Once you are on the correct path, it is essentially a direct walk. You will typically pass through doors that lead you from the main terminal walkway into the rental car facility. If you are unsure at any point, look for the overhead “Rental Car Center” signs and continue in that direction.
Step 6: Find your car hire company counter, then collect keys and paperwork. Inside the RCC you will see multiple rental company counters. Join the correct queue, present your driving licence and payment card, and complete any local requirements. Some providers may direct you to a specific floor or aisle for vehicle collection after paperwork, so listen carefully and keep your agreement accessible.
Step 7: Go to the allocated parking level and locate your vehicle. After the counter, you will head to the garage area to collect the car. The staff will normally tell you where to go, for example by level, aisle number, or zone. Before you drive out, adjust mirrors, set up navigation, and check that the fuel level and vehicle condition match the agreement.
How long does it take from Terminal C to the car hire centre?
A realistic point-to-point estimate from the moment you step off the plane to standing at a car hire counter is often 15 to 25 minutes, assuming normal passenger flow and minimal waiting for the train. Add time if you need to clear immigration, collect checked baggage, or travel at peak holiday periods.
As a simple planning guide, allow extra buffer if you are arriving late evening, travelling with a large group, or collecting speciality vehicles. If you are comparing car categories, the MCO pages for UK travellers such as car hire Orlando MCO can help you understand what to expect at pick-up without changing your route through the airport.
Helpful navigation tips inside Terminal C and the main terminal
Follow the airport’s words, not assumptions. Many travellers instinctively look for “Rental Cars” immediately after baggage claim. In Terminal C you generally need the train first, so keep following the purple “Train to Terminal A/B” directions until you are at the main terminal.
Keep your party together before boarding the train. The station area can be busy when multiple flights arrive. If you are travelling with children or older relatives, pause before the platform, regroup, and then board together.
Use lifts if you have heavy luggage. The route is accessible and designed for suitcases, but lifts can be quicker and safer than escalators when you have several bags.
Be ready for counter queues. The train and walk are usually predictable. The variable is the counter line, especially at weekends and school holiday periods. If your provider offers a streamlined pick-up process, it can reduce time spent inside the RCC.
Where exactly is the Rental Car Center at MCO?
The Rental Car Center at Orlando International Airport is a dedicated facility connected to the main terminal complex (Terminal A and Terminal B). It is not inside Terminal C itself. That is why the automated people mover is the key first step, it moves you from Terminal C to the area where the RCC link begins.
Once you are in the RCC, you will find most major brands together in one place. If you are researching specific companies before you travel, Hola Car Rentals provides brand-specific airport pages such as Alamo car hire Orlando MCO and Thrifty car hire Orlando MCO, which can be useful for understanding typical counter processes.
What to do if you miss the train or take a wrong turn
If you miss a train: stay on the platform and wait for the next one. Services are frequent, and it is usually only a short wait.
If you end up at the wrong transport area: look for overhead signs back to “Terminal Link” or ask an airport staff member for directions to the train to Terminal A/B or to the “Rental Car Center.” Orlando airport staff are used to this question, particularly from Terminal C arrivals.
If your group is split: choose a clear meeting point, such as near the train entrance or the RCC counter area. It is easier to reunite before joining queues.
Planning for families, accessibility, and late arrivals
Families: If you need a larger vehicle, remember that the route through the airport does not change, you still take the train to Terminal A/B and walk to the RCC. What changes is pick-up time at the counter and loading time in the garage, so build in a little extra margin.
Accessibility: The train, lifts, and walkways are built for wheeled luggage and mobility aids. If you require additional assistance, ask airport staff for the most direct accessible route from the Terminal A/B station to the RCC entrance.
Late-night flights: Even when flights arrive late, the train connection remains the standard way to reach the main terminal and the RCC. The biggest consideration can be counter staffing and queue time rather than the journey itself.
FAQ
Do I have to go to Terminal A or B first from Terminal C? Yes. From Terminal C you take the automated people mover to the Terminal A/B complex, then follow signs to the Rental Car Center.
Is there a shuttle bus from Terminal C to the rental car centre? Normally, the quickest route is the automated people mover to Terminal A/B, followed by the pedestrian connection to the Rental Car Center.
How do I know I am on the right train? Follow the purple signs for the train to Terminal A/B. Announcements and displays at the platform also indicate the direction.
How far is the walk once I reach Terminal A/B? It is a straightforward, signposted walk via covered links into the Rental Car Center, usually taking only a few minutes.
What should I do first, collect bags or go straight to car hire? If you checked luggage, collect it at Terminal C baggage claim first. Then follow the train signs to Terminal A/B and continue to the Rental Car Center.
