Quick Summary:
- Exit Terminal A baggage claim, follow ‘Rental Cars’ signs to the walkway.
- Use the covered moving walkway to reach the separate Rental Car Centre.
- Look for purple ‘Rental Cars’ symbols, plus overhead arrows and zone markers.
- At the centre, find your brand counter, then go to the correct garage level.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is designed so that most car hire pickups happen in one place, the dedicated Rental Car Centre. If you arrive into Terminal A, you do not need a shuttle bus to reach it. Instead, you will follow airport signage to a covered connector, including moving walkways, that leads you straight to the car rental building.
This guide walks you through the exact sequence from the moment you step into Terminal A, what to look for on the signs, how long it usually takes, and a few easy checks to ensure you end up at the right counter and the right parking garage level.
Know what “Terminal A” means at MCO
MCO’s main terminal is split into Terminal A and Terminal B sides, with different baggage claim numbers. Terminal A is generally associated with baggage claims 1 to 29. Even if your flight arrives at an airside gate, you will ride an airport tram back to the main terminal, then proceed down to baggage claim. The onward route to the Rental Car Centre is clearly signposted once you are in the main terminal area.
If you are comparing car hire options at MCO, the easiest reference pages to keep handy are Orlando MCO car rental and car hire Orlando MCO, as both focus on airport collection and what to expect on arrival.
Step-by-step directions from Terminal A to the Rental Car Centre
Step 1, get to Terminal A baggage claim (Level 2). After the tram from the airside, follow the standard signs for “Baggage Claim” and go down. If you are meeting family or collecting luggage, do that first. The route to the Rental Car Centre is easiest to follow from the baggage claim level.
Step 2, orient yourself using the overhead wayfinding. Stand in the main baggage claim hall and look up. You should see large overhead signs with arrows for “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”. At MCO, rental car directions often use a purple colour block and a car symbol. If you keep seeing “Terminal B” or “Hotel Shuttles” more prominently than “Rental Cars”, pause and re-check the nearest sign cluster.
Step 3, follow “Rental Cars” towards the centre of the building. The path generally takes you towards the central atrium area, not out to the kerb where taxis and ride-shares pick up. The airport’s rental car signage is designed to keep you indoors until you reach the connector to the Rental Car Centre.
Step 4, enter the covered connector with moving walkways. You will reach a long, enclosed passageway leading to a separate building. This is where many travellers realise they are on the right route because it feels like a dedicated transfer corridor. Use the moving walkway if it is operating, but keep to one side and allow faster walkers to pass.
Step 5, stay with the “Rental Cars” signs all the way to the end. Avoid detours for food courts or exits, and do not go outside. If you keep the overhead “Rental Cars” arrows in sight, you will emerge directly into the Rental Car Centre’s main hall.
Step 6, find your company counter, then go to the garage level directed. Once inside the Rental Car Centre, you will see rows of car rental counters. Locate your provider name on the overhead boards. After the counter, you will typically be directed to a specific aisle or zone in the parking garages, often reached by escalator or lift.
What to look for on MCO rental car signage
Airport signage can look busy when you are tired, travelling with children, or managing suitcases. These tips help you “read” MCO’s rental car signs quickly:
Prioritise the words “Rental Cars” over brand names. The airport guides you to the Rental Car Centre first. You usually will not see your car hire brand name until you are inside the centre.
Look for consistent iconography. The car symbol and directional arrows repeat at every junction. If you miss one sign, you should see another within a short distance. If you go more than a minute without a rental car sign, you may have drifted towards general ground transport.
Use building cues. The connector corridor is your confirmation. If you are heading outside to the kerb lanes with buses and pick-ups, you are not on the direct walking route to the Rental Car Centre.
Ignore “Parking” unless you are returning a car. Parking signage at MCO can pull you away from rental car pickup. For collection, keep following “Rental Cars” specifically.
How long does it take to walk there?
From Terminal A baggage claim to the Rental Car Centre, most travellers take around 8 to 15 minutes, depending on luggage, crowd levels, and whether the moving walkways are busy. Add a little extra time if you need a toilet stop, if you are waiting for checked bags, or if you are travelling during peak arrival periods when families and tour groups are moving together.
Once in the centre, allow additional time for the counter process and finding your vehicle bay. If you have a larger vehicle category, it can take longer to reach the right garage area. For example, travellers choosing an MPV or larger option may want to review minivan rental at Orlando MCO in advance, while those planning highway driving and theme park car parks often compare SUV rental at Orlando MCO.
Common mistakes that slow people down
Going outside too early. If you step out to ground transportation kerbs, you may end up among hotel shuttles and buses rather than heading into the indoor connector.
Following “Transportation” without checking the sub-sign. “Ground Transportation” can point to many services. You need the specific “Rental Cars” arrow.
Assuming you need a shuttle from Terminal A. For standard MCO rental car pickup, the designed route is on foot via the connector. If you cannot find it, return to the central baggage claim area and recheck the overhead boards.
Not confirming the correct counter location in the centre. Some brands have multiple queue lines or self-service kiosks. Use the overhead directory, and do not queue until you confirm you are at the correct brand’s station.
Arriving prepared, documents and practical pointers
When you finally reach the Rental Car Centre, having essentials organised saves time at the counter. Keep your driving licence, payment card, and reservation details accessible. If you are travelling as a group, decide in advance who will be the lead driver, as adding drivers can take extra minutes.
Before you leave the garage, do a quick walkaround and check fuel policy guidance from your provider. Then set up your sat nav or phone navigation before you pull out, as the first few turns out of the garages can be busy and you will want to focus on road signs rather than settings.
If your plan includes driving beyond Orlando, it can be useful to check airport-specific notes and included options on car hire from Orlando Airport to Disney, as it frames typical visitor routes and expectations for MCO collection.
FAQ
Do I need to take a shuttle from Terminal A to the Rental Car Centre? No, the usual route from Terminal A is an indoor walk using the signed connector with moving walkways, leading directly to the Rental Car Centre.
Where do I start if I have just arrived at the gate? Take the airport tram to the main terminal, go down to baggage claim in Terminal A, then follow the overhead “Rental Cars” signs to the connector corridor.
What should I do if I end up outside at ground transportation? Go back inside to the main baggage claim hall and look for the central overhead signs that point to “Rental Cars”. The correct route stays indoors until the connector.
How will I know I have reached the right building? You will enter a dedicated Rental Car Centre hall with multiple company counters, directories, and access to the adjacent parking garages for vehicle pickup.
Is the walking route manageable with suitcases or children? Yes, it is designed for luggage, is covered, and includes moving walkways. Allow extra time during busy arrival waves and keep to the side on the walkways.
