Enterprise Car Hire
Melbourne Orlando

On arrival at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, you will find the Enterprise car hire counter conveniently located inside the main terminal building. After collecting your luggage from the baggage reclaim area, look for the overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars". The counters for all on-site hire agencies, including Enterprise, are grouped together in this dedicated area, so it is easy to find without needing to leave the terminal.

The process at MLB is designed for traveller convenience, combining a short walk with direct access to your vehicle. After completing the rental agreement at the Enterprise counter inside the terminal, you will be directed to the car hire lot. This lot is just a brief walk from the terminal building, so you will not need to wait for or board a separate shuttle bus to reach your vehicle.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport is known for its compact, efficient layout, which is especially helpful when arriving on a regional flight. The walk from any gate to the main terminal area and baggage reclaim is typically very short, often taking just a few minutes. As the Enterprise counter is located in the terminal near baggage reclaim, you can expect a quick and straightforward journey from your gate to start the hire process.

On a typical weekday afternoon, the whole process from disembarking to driving away can be very efficient at MLB. Allowing time to walk from the gate, collect any checked luggage and complete the paperwork at the counter, many travellers are on their way in under an hour. This can vary depending on how many flights land at once, but the airport’s manageable size generally helps streamline the experience from arrival to departure.

Arriving late at MLB is generally low-stress thanks to the airport’s simple design. The terminal is well lit, and signage for baggage reclaim and rental cars remains clear and easy to follow. The Enterprise counter is in this main, well-used area. Once you have your keys, the walk to the adjacent hire lot is also straightforward, and exit signs for major roads are illuminated, helping you navigate out of the airport complex with ease.

A great meeting point for your group is the baggage reclaim area. It’s a spacious, central location that everyone passes through to collect their luggage. You can easily pick a spot near your carousel to gather. Once your whole party and all bags are accounted for, you can proceed together to the nearby Enterprise car hire counter.

The most practical waiting spot is in the seating areas just outside the main rental car counter section, near baggage reclaim. This lets the rest of your party relax with the luggage while staying indoors. It also keeps everyone close, so once the driver has completed the hire process and has the keys, they can quickly rejoin the group before heading out to the car together.

When you complete your hire agreement, the Enterprise agent will give you a designated row or bay number for your vehicle. The car hire lot at MLB is well organised with clear signage for each row and section. Simply follow the signs to your assigned area. This system is designed to prevent confusion and help you locate your specific car quickly so you can get on your way.

For a safe, convenient place to get organised, consider using one of the airport’s mobile phone waiting lots. While intended for people collecting passengers, they are a perfect spot to pull over for a few minutes immediately after leaving the hire lot. Alternatively, there is a large nearby shopping centre car park just a minute or two from the airport on NASA Boulevard, offering a low-traffic area to set up your GPS and sort your belongings.

The main potential confusion for first-time visitors is navigating the junction of NASA Boulevard and Airport Boulevard just outside the terminal. It helps to decide in advance whether you need to go east towards the beaches or west towards I-95. Paying close attention to the overhead signs as you approach will ensure you are in the correct lane for your direction without any last-minute manoeuvres.

Getting to I-95 is very straightforward. As you leave the airport, follow the main signs for NASA Boulevard West. You will stay on this road for just over a mile. The slip roads for both I-95 North (towards Kennedy Space Center and Orlando) and I-95 South (towards Miami) are clearly marked with large overhead signs, giving you plenty of time to position your vehicle for a smooth, safe merge.

For the most direct, simple route to Melbourne Beach, use the Melbourne Causeway (US-192). From the airport, take NASA Boulevard east, which becomes US-192. Continue heading east and the road will take you over the Indian River Lagoon to the barrier island. This route is well signed and is the main connection between the mainland and Melbourne Beach, making it easy for visitors to follow.

The most straightforward drive to Indialantic also uses the Melbourne Causeway (US-192). From the airport, head east on NASA Boulevard, which turns into US-192. Keep following this main road east and it will take you directly over the causeway bridge. Indialantic is the community you enter immediately on reaching the barrier island, so it’s a direct, uncomplicated trip for anyone new to the area.

The simplest route to Cocoa Beach is to join I-95 North from the airport. Take NASA Boulevard west to I-95 and head north for about 15–20 minutes. Look for Exit 205, clearly signed for SR 528 East/Beachline Expressway towards Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. This route uses major roads and avoids local traffic and complicated turns, providing a direct run to your destination.

Downtown Melbourne is very visitor-friendly for parking. You’ll find plenty of free on-street parking along the main roads, such as New Haven Avenue. There are also several free public car parks conveniently located just a block or two off the main street. These are well marked and give easy access to shops and restaurants, making it simple to park and explore on foot.

On a windy day, be prepared for strong crosswinds on the causeways, particularly in a higher-profile vehicle such as an SUV or van. You may feel the vehicle being pushed sideways, so keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and maintain a steady, moderate speed. Be especially mindful of space around you, particularly near motorbikes or large lorries, and focus on staying centred in your lane.

For a rocket launch, plan to arrive at your viewing spot very early, as popular coastal locations fill up quickly. Parking is often informal along roadsides such as US-1, so make sure you park legally and safely off the carriageway. The biggest challenge is post-launch traffic, as thousands of cars try to leave at once. Expect significant delays and be patient; it’s often best to relax for 30–60 minutes after the launch before attempting to drive back.

The most direct, simple route is to use major roads. From the airport, take NASA Boulevard west to I-95 North. Continue on I-95 North for about 25 miles. Take Exit 212 for SR 407 and follow the signs east. This road is designed to route traffic towards the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, with clear, frequent signage all the way.

Both are great for parking and exploring. In historic Cocoa Village, there is a large free public parking garage and several surface lots that provide central access to the shopping and dining district. For Merritt Island, particularly the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find designated parking at major trailheads and points of interest, set up for easy access directly from the main roads in the refuge.

The least stressful plan is to take I-95 North from the airport to Exit 205 for SR 528 East, also known as the Beachline Expressway. This expressway leads directly to Port Canaveral with clear signs for each cruise terminal. Expect the drive to take about 45–60 minutes in normal conditions. It’s sensible to add an extra 30–45 minutes as a buffer for potential traffic, especially at weekends or during peak season.

For a relaxed return trip, plan a stop between the port and the airport. After leaving Port Canaveral via SR 528 West to I-95 South, consider exiting around Cocoa or Viera. You can have a leisurely breakfast or lunch and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. This breaks up the drive and helps you time your arrival at MLB, avoiding the stress of arriving too early or too late for your flight.

The most critical change is from I-95 North to SR 528 West (Beachline Expressway) near Cocoa. After that, the next key point is the interchange where SR 528 meets SR 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay), a common route towards the southern parts of Disney property. The final important transition is from SR 528 onto I-4 West, which provides direct access to the main Walt Disney World exits. Using GPS is strongly recommended to handle these multi-lane interchanges smoothly.

The simplest approach is to take I-95 North to SR 528 West towards Orlando. Continue on SR 528 until you merge onto I-4 West. Once on I-4 West, stay in the middle or right lanes and look for Exit 75A for Universal Boulevard. Signage for the theme parks is large and prominent, guiding you directly into the main parking garage complex without needing complicated city-street navigation.

The main toll road you’ll encounter is the Beachline Expressway (SR 528). Many visitors are surprised by cashless toll gantries that scan your number plate or a transponder without requiring you to stop and pay cash. It helps to know about this system in advance and to understand the tolling programmes offered by the hire company, so you can pass through smoothly without confusion or concern.

A great break option is the Viera area, reached directly off I-95 about 20 minutes north of Melbourne. The Viera Boulevard exit leads to The Avenue Viera, an open-air shopping centre with plenty of restaurants, clean toilets and large, easy-to-navigate car parks. It’s ideal for letting children stretch their legs, grabbing a meal and relaxing before continuing towards Orlando, with simple on/off access to the motorway.

A mid-size SUV often offers the best balance for a Space Coast trip. It provides ample cargo space for beach chairs, cool boxes and luggage without being too large to manoeuvre in tight beachside spaces. The higher ground clearance can help on sandy access roads, and the comfortable ride is ideal for day trips to Kennedy Space Center or Orlando. This versatility makes it a practical choice for the varied activities of a Florida holiday.

Before leaving the hire lot, open the boot or rear hatch to assess the cargo space. Check it is large enough for bulky items and that the rear seats fold down if you need extra room. It’s also worth looking for a cargo cover to keep belongings out of sight for added security. Confirming these features helps ensure your gear will fit properly for the whole trip.

For long items such as surfboards or fishing rods, hiring an SUV or a minivan is usually the best approach. Before leaving the lot, check how the seats fold to create a long, flat load area. Many SUVs have roof rails, but you would need to bring your own compatible rack system and straps. The simplest solution is often choosing a vehicle with enough interior length to secure your gear safely inside.

The best place to fit a child seat is in your assigned bay within the Enterprise hire lot. This designated spot gives you a safe area away from moving traffic where you can take your time. You’ll have plenty of space to open the doors fully and ensure the seat is fitted correctly and securely without holding up other travellers. It’s much safer than trying to do it at the terminal kerbside.

Before driving off, connect your phone to the car’s infotainment system. Make sure you have your charging cable, as a wired connection is often required. Confirm that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto launches properly and that your navigation app appears on the car’s screen. Also check the audio works correctly, as you’ll rely on it for turn-by-turn directions.

Visitors are often surprised by the frequent use of dedicated U-turn lanes at junctions instead of traditional left turns. You may need to pass your destination and make a U-turn to approach from the opposite direction. Also watch for abrupt speed-limit changes on major roads such as US-1. Finally, pay close attention to right-turn lanes that may have their own signal, which can operate differently from the main traffic lights.

Florida afternoon thunderstorms can build quickly and bring sudden, torrential rain that dramatically reduces visibility. When this happens, traffic speeds drop considerably and drivers typically switch on their headlights. On the causeways, the combination of heavy rain and wind can be especially intense. It’s safest to slow down, increase your following distance and pull over if visibility becomes too poor to continue safely.

In a heavy downpour, major arterial roads such as NASA Boulevard and US-1 near the airport can slow significantly. Water can pool in the outside lanes, prompting drivers to move towards the centre and reduce speed. Junctions can also become congested as drivers proceed more cautiously. It’s wise to allow extra time to reach the airport in these conditions.

For a smooth start, set your GPS to a major, easy-to-recognise landmark or junction a few miles from the airport in the direction you’re travelling. For example, if you’re heading to the beach, set it to the Melbourne Causeway. If you’re heading to I-95, enter a petrol station near the motorway entrance. This helps you get oriented on the immediate roads before tackling the longer, more complex part of your journey.

There are several convenient options just a few minutes from the airport. Heading west on NASA Boulevard (away from the beaches), you’ll quickly reach major shopping centres with large supermarkets, pharmacies and superstores. These are well outside the airport’s traffic patterns and have large car parks, making it an easy, low-stress stop to stock up before continuing to your final destination.

You’ll find several easy-access fuel stations along NASA Boulevard, the main road to and from the airport. They are located on both the east and west sides of the airport entrance. Designed for high traffic, they have wide entrances and exits, making it straightforward to pull in, refuel and rejoin the road towards the car hire return area without awkward turns.

As you approach the airport on Airport Boulevard or NASA Boulevard, start looking for large, clear signs reading "Rental Car Return". These will guide you into the correct lane. Closer to the terminal, signage becomes more specific and directs you to a dedicated entrance for all hire returns. Staying in the designated lane and following the signs will take you straight to the Enterprise return area.

It’s very straightforward. First, follow signs for "Departures" and pull up to the kerb to drop off your passengers and their luggage. Once they are safely on the kerb, continue along the airport road loop. Signs for "Rental Car Return" will appear again shortly after you pass the departures area, directing you to loop back to the correct entrance without leaving the airport complex.

The car hire return area at MLB is conveniently close to the main terminal. After an Enterprise employee checks in your vehicle, you simply walk a short distance back into the terminal building. Once inside, you’ll immediately see signs pointing to the airline check-in counters and ticketing area. The airport’s compact size makes this a quick, easy walk.

While the process at MLB is generally quick, the step that can take a few extra minutes is the final vehicle inspection and check-in, especially if several cars are being returned at once. It’s also wise to allow a few minutes for a final personal check of the car to ensure you haven’t left anything behind. Although the walk to the terminal is short, building in an extra 10–15 minutes for the whole return process provides a comfortable buffer for an early flight.