Quick Summary:
- Follow “Baggage Claim” signs from your gate to the main terminal.
- Take the airport tram from Airside to Landside, then go downstairs.
- In Terminal A or B, go to Level 1 for car hire desks.
- After paperwork, use lifts to Level 4 for the rental car centre garages.
If you have just landed at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and want to reach the rental car centre without second-guessing every sign, this walkthrough explains exactly where to go, in the order you will see it. MCO is organised into Airside concourses (where gates are) connected by an automated tram to the Landside main terminal (where baggage claim and most car hire counters are). Once you understand that split, the route becomes very straightforward.
Before you start, note the most important sign words to follow are “Baggage Claim”, “Ground Transportation”, and “Rental Cars”. You will see them repeatedly, and they lead you from the secure gate area to the Landside building and then into the rental car centre. If you want to compare options in advance, Hola Car Rentals provides Orlando airport pages such as car hire at Orlando Airport (MCO) and Orlando MCO car rental, which are useful for checking what to expect at the desks.
Step 1: From the gate, head towards the tram and “Baggage Claim”
After you disembark, you are in an Airside concourse. In most cases you cannot walk directly to the main terminal from here, you use the automated tram. Look for overhead signs pointing to “Gates” and “Baggage Claim”. You want “Baggage Claim” or “Tram to Main Terminal”.
Keep moving with the flow of passengers. The walk to the tram platform is usually only a few minutes, but it can feel longer if the concourse is busy. Stay inside the secure area until you reach the tram station, then board the tram to the main terminal (Landside). Trams run frequently, so you rarely wait long.
Step 2: Take the tram from Airside to the Landside main terminal
Board the tram, remain with your luggage, and ride to the Landside station. When you exit, you will be in the main terminal building. From this point, you are close to both baggage claim and the rental car desks. Follow the overhead signs for “Baggage Claim” and “Ground Transportation”.
If you are travelling with others, this is a good moment to agree a meeting point in case you get separated, because the Landside area is larger and spreads across Terminal A and Terminal B sides.
Step 3: Go down to baggage claim, then orient yourself to Terminal A or B
Most travellers will need to collect checked bags. Follow “Baggage Claim” downstairs. At MCO, baggage claim is on Level 2, and it is split across the A and B sides. Look up at the monitors for your flight number and carousel. If you are unsure which side you are on, find a large “A” or “B” identifier on pillars and walls.
Once you have your bags, you are already very close to the rental car centre access. The key next step is to go from baggage claim Level 2 to the rental car desk level, which is Level 1.
Step 4: Follow “Rental Cars” to Level 1, where the car hire counters are
From baggage claim, follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”. You will take either escalators, lifts, or stairs down one level to Level 1. This is where most on-airport car hire counters are located at MCO, arranged in a row of desks. You will see brand signs above each counter and queue areas in front.
If you arranged your rental via Hola Car Rentals, you may have a voucher that indicates the supplier desk to visit. It can help to review the supplier details beforehand, for example on car hire in Orlando MCO. This makes it easier to head directly to the right queue, especially at peak arrival times.
Practical tip: keep your driving licence, passport, and payment card accessible before you join the queue. It speeds things up and reduces the chance of rummaging through bags in a crowded area.
Step 5: Complete the desk process, then go up to the garages in the rental car centre
At the counter, you will typically receive a rental agreement and directions to your vehicle. In many cases at MCO, once you finish at the desk you will proceed to the pick-up garages connected to the terminal. Follow the signs that indicate “Pick-Up”, “Parking”, or “Rental Car Returns/Pick-Up” depending on the exact layout and your provider’s instructions.
Generally, you will go up by lift or escalator to Level 4 where the garages are. Look for bay numbers, row markers, or zone letters. Staff often check documents at the exit lane. If anything is unclear, ask the counter agent which aisle or section your vehicle is parked in before you leave the desk area.
Step 6: Finding your car, exits, and what to do if you feel lost
Once in the garage, locate your assigned space or follow instructions to choose a car within a specific category. Check the vehicle for obvious damage, confirm fuel policy, and set up your navigation before you join the exit queue. If you need a larger vehicle, it is worth knowing in advance which suppliers offer people carriers or larger options. Hola’s van hire Orlando MCO page can help you understand what is typically available.
If you get turned around, do not worry. The quickest recovery steps are simple: return to the nearest lift core or stairwell, look for the big “Terminal A” or “Terminal B” signage, then follow “Rental Cars” back to the counters. Airport staff and information desks are used to giving directions, and “Level 1 rental car counters” is a phrase everyone recognises at MCO.
Timing expectations, common pinch points, and accessibility notes
How long it takes from landing to the rental car centre depends on queues and baggage, but the walking and tram portion is usually manageable. The slowest parts are typically baggage claim and the counter queue. If you arrive during a busy wave of flights, expect lines at popular desks and allow extra time before you plan stops like supermarkets or hotel check-in.
Accessibility is generally good, with lifts and step-free routes available from the tram station down to baggage claim and onwards to Level 1 counters, then up to the garages. If you need an accessible vehicle, it is best to ensure your requirements are clearly noted on your rental documentation. If you are keeping costs in mind, you can also review approaches on budget car rental Orlando MCO, which may help you compare inclusions before you reach the desk.
One last navigation tip: if your party is splitting tasks, it can be efficient for one person to collect luggage while another confirms which desk to use and checks the queue length. Just make sure whoever goes to the counter has all required documents.
FAQ
Do I need a shuttle to reach the rental car centre at Orlando Airport? No, for the main on-airport rental car centre you typically use the automated tram from the Airside gates to the Landside main terminal, then walk to the Level 1 counters and up to the garages.
Which level are the car hire desks on at MCO? Most rental car counters are on Level 1 of the Landside terminal, below baggage claim. Follow “Rental Cars” and “Ground Transportation” signage from Level 2 down to Level 1.
What signs should I follow from arrivals to reach the rental car centre? From the gate area follow “Baggage Claim” to the tram, then after the tram follow “Baggage Claim” downstairs and “Rental Cars” to Level 1. After the desk, follow “Pick-Up” or garage signage.
How do I know whether I am in Terminal A or Terminal B? Look for large “A” and “B” identifiers on walls and pillars in the Landside building near baggage claim and the counter areas. If you stay with “Rental Cars” signs, you will still reach the desks from either side.
What if I cannot find my car after leaving the counter? Return to the nearest lift core or stairwell, check for garage zone markers, and confirm your aisle or bay details on your paperwork. If it still does not match, go back to the same counter for clarification.
