Quick Summary:
- Follow “Rental Cars” signs to the automated tram from your terminal.
- Ride the tram to the Ground Transportation level, then walk into the Rental Car Center.
- Allow 10 to 20 minutes from gate area to the car hire desks.
- For returns, follow airport road signs for “Rental Car Return” before terminals.
Orlando International Airport, known as MCO, is designed so that most travellers use an on-airport Rental Car Center (RCC) rather than hunting for individual off-site depots. That makes car hire at MCO fairly straightforward, but the first time can still feel confusing, especially if you have just landed, you are juggling bags, and you are trying to interpret airport signage quickly.
This guide explains exactly how to get to the rental car centre from each terminal area, what to look for on signs, how long the transfer usually takes, and what changes if you are collecting or returning a vehicle. The goal is simple, to help you reach the correct level and the right building with minimal backtracking.
Understand MCO’s layout before you start walking
MCO has a main terminal complex and multiple airside gates. Many passengers arrive at an airside concourse, then take an automated people mover, often just called the tram, back to the main terminal. The rental car centre is connected to the main terminal complex and is signposted clearly as “Rental Cars” and “Ground Transportation”.
The key point is that you generally do not go directly from your gate to a car hire counter without first taking the tram back to the main terminal. If you keep that mental map in mind, you will save time and avoid circling baggage claim looking for desks that are not there.
Step-by-step from the gate to the Rental Car Center
After landing, follow signs for “Baggage Claim” and “Ground Transportation”. From most gates, you will take the automated tram from the airside concourse to the main terminal. Trams run frequently, so you typically do not wait long, even during busy periods.
Once you arrive at the main terminal side, continue to baggage claim if you have checked luggage. When you are ready to head to the RCC, look specifically for the “Rental Cars” signage, it usually points you towards another people mover or a clearly marked walkway depending on where you are standing. Airport staff and information desks can confirm the direction quickly if you are unsure, but the signage is usually consistent and repeated at key junctions.
When you reach the Rental Car Center, you will enter a large, dedicated building where most major brands have counters. This is where you present your reservation details, driving licence, and payment card, then collect your vehicle information and proceed to the pick-up area.
From Terminal A side versus Terminal B side
In practice, the route is very similar from either side of the main terminal, because both sides feed into the same overall ground transportation system. The differences are mainly about which set of signs you see first and which escalators or lifts are closest.
If you find yourself in Terminal A baggage claim, you will still follow “Rental Cars” or “Ground Transportation” signs and then take the appropriate people mover connection to the RCC. If you are in Terminal B baggage claim, do the same, follow the signs rather than trying to navigate by memory. The airport is built for visitors, so the signposting is designed to lead you without requiring you to know the building names.
If you want to compare airport car hire experiences beyond Florida, Hola Car Rentals also provides useful local information for other hubs, for example car hire at Phoenix Sky Harbor and car rental at Newark EWR.
How long does it take to reach the car hire desks?
A realistic planning window from gate to the rental counter is 10 to 20 minutes, assuming normal passenger flow. Your timing will vary based on a few factors.
First, checked baggage can add 10 to 30 minutes depending on arrival banks and staffing. Second, the walking distance inside the terminal varies slightly by concourse and by where you exit the tram. Third, if you are travelling with children, pushchairs, or multiple large cases, you will move more slowly and may choose lifts instead of escalators.
If you are landing late at night, build in extra time to find your way calmly. Although trams run frequently, you may have fewer staff around to ask, and some food outlets may be closed, which can make the terminal feel quieter and more disorienting. The signage remains lit and clear, so the route still works the same way.
What to do if you cannot find the “Rental Cars” signs
If you feel turned around, stop and look for one of these wayfinding anchors: “Baggage Claim”, “Ground Transportation”, or “Tram”. At MCO, “Rental Cars” is usually grouped with ground transport directions. If you keep moving towards ground transport, you will typically rejoin the correct corridor and see “Rental Cars” repeated.
It also helps to avoid following crowds automatically. Some passengers head to hotel shuttles, rideshare pick-up zones, or public buses, which may be nearby but not the same path as the RCC connection. Read the overhead signs at each junction before committing to a corridor or escalator.
Picking up your vehicle at the Rental Car Center
Once inside the RCC, you will see rows of brand counters and electronic displays. Have your paperwork and essentials ready, driving licence, passport or ID, and a payment card. If you are travelling from the UK, remember that your licence must be valid and you should know whether your rental provider requires an additional identification document.
After the desk process, you will be directed to a specific aisle or level for vehicle pick-up. If you have reserved a specific class, such as an SUV or a people carrier, ask where that class is staged so you do not waste time walking through the wrong rows. For larger groups, it is worth confirming boot space before you leave the bay, swapping vehicles is easiest before you exit the facility.
If you are comparing vehicle types in other destinations, you might find it helpful to review a dedicated overview like SUV hire options at PHX to understand how classes and sizing are typically described.
Returning a rental car to MCO
Returning is usually even simpler than pick-up, provided you follow the correct road signs early. As you approach the airport on the main access roads, watch for large overhead signs that say “Rental Car Return”. These signs typically appear before the splits for terminal arrivals and departures.
Once you are on the return route, you will be guided into the return lanes for the Rental Car Center. Staff will check the vehicle, note fuel level and mileage, and issue a return receipt. Keep this receipt until your final charges are confirmed, especially if you are returning during a busy period or outside normal office hours.
After return, you will take the people mover or designated connection back to the terminal for check-in and security. Build in a time buffer, because you are adding an extra step compared with being dropped at kerbside. A sensible rule is to arrive at the car return area at least 30 minutes earlier than you would otherwise plan to reach the terminal.
Tips that make the MCO car hire transfer smoother
Travelling days can be long, so small decisions can make the transfer feel much easier. Keep these practical points in mind as you navigate to the rental car centre.
First, take a photo of where you parked your luggage trolley before you go to the counter, especially if you leave someone holding bags while another person checks in at the desk. Second, if you are travelling with children, consider using the toilets before heading into the RCC, because the counter process can take time and queues can form at peak hours.
Third, if you have specific needs such as child seats, toll transponders, or accessibility equipment, confirm these at the desk before you walk to the car. Resolving add-ons at the counter is much faster than returning from the bay. Fourth, check your fuel policy and where the nearest petrol station is for your return day, so you are not searching at the last minute.
For travellers who plan to combine an Orlando trip with other US cities, Hola Car Rentals publishes location guides that can help set expectations around airport layouts and counters, such as car hire at Las Vegas airport and Dollar car rental at LAS.
Common mistakes first-time visitors make at MCO
One common error is assuming every car hire brand has a desk in the arrivals hall. At MCO, the RCC is a separate centre, so you must follow the rental car signs and use the designated connection. Another mistake is exiting the terminal towards rideshare or hotel shuttles, then trying to walk outside to find the rental facility. This wastes time and can be uncomfortable in Florida heat and rain.
A third mistake is underestimating the time needed for returns. Even a smooth return still involves driving into the facility, unloading bags, completing the check-in, then taking the people mover back to the terminal. Planning a slightly earlier arrival reduces stress, particularly for morning flights when many travellers are returning cars at once.
FAQ
Do I need to take a shuttle to the rental car centre at MCO? No, most travellers use the airport’s automated people mover connection to the on-airport Rental Car Center, following “Rental Cars” signs.
How long should I allow from baggage claim to the car hire desk? In many cases, 10 to 20 minutes is sufficient, but add time for baggage delays and peak-hour queues at counters.
Where do I go if I am in the wrong place, like rideshare pick-up? Head back inside and follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and then “Rental Cars” until you reach the RCC connection.
Is the Rental Car Center accessible with lifts and ramps? Yes, the main routes use lifts, escalators, and step-free paths, and airport staff can direct you to the most accessible option.
When returning, do I drive to the terminal first? No, follow the road signs for “Rental Car Return” and return at the RCC, then take the people mover back to the terminal.
