Quick Summary:
- Follow “Ground Transportation” signs from Terminal A down to Level 1.
- Take the on-airport tram to the Rental Car Center, not a shuttle.
- Allow extra time if you have pushchairs, buggies, or heavy cases.
- Look for “Rental Car Center” and “Tram” icons at every junction.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is designed to make car hire straightforward once you know the key idea, the Rental Car Center is a separate building connected by an automated tram. If you arrive into Terminal A, you do not walk all the way outside to hunt for a bus bay, you follow the airport signs to the tram and ride it to the car hire desks.
This guide focuses on the exact route from Terminal A, what signs to follow, and how to make the transfer easier if you are travelling with heavy luggage or a pushchair. If you want to compare car hire options at MCO before you land, Hola Car Rentals has dedicated pages such as Orlando MCO car rental and car hire Orlando MCO.
Understand the layout first, Terminal A, the tram, then the Rental Car Center
MCO uses a hub-and-spoke design. You arrive at an airside (gates) and take a people mover to the main terminal. Terminal A is one side of the main terminal complex. The Rental Car Center is not inside Terminal A itself, it is an on-airport facility reached by a dedicated tram from the main terminal.
This matters because the signs you need are consistent throughout the building. If you keep moving towards “Ground Transportation”, then “Rental Car Center”, then “Tram”, you will stay on the correct path even if you start at gates, baggage claim, or kerbside.
Step-by-step directions from Terminal A to the car hire centre
Step 1, reach the main terminal if you are still at the gates. If you are in the airside concourse, follow signs for “Main Terminal” and take the automatic people mover. You will come off into the terminal where you can access baggage claim and ground transport. If you have already collected bags, you can skip straight to the next step.
Step 2, follow “Ground Transportation” signs. In Terminal A, the overhead signs commonly point you towards elevators, escalators, and corridors leading down to the transport levels. You are aiming for the area that services taxis, rideshare, buses, and the airport tram to the Rental Car Center.
Step 3, go down to Level 1 for the Rental Car Center tram. At MCO, the tram to the Rental Car Center is accessed from the ground transportation level. Use the lift if you have a pushchair, buggy, or large suitcases. If you have a trolley, lifts are usually the smoothest option and reduce the chance of getting stuck behind crowds on escalators.
Step 4, look specifically for “Rental Car Center” and “Tram”. Ground transportation includes several services, so focus on the Rental Car Center wording and the tram iconography. If you see signs for hotel shuttles or off-airport rental shuttles, you are close but not there yet, keep following the on-airport Rental Car Center signs.
Step 5, board the automated tram to the Rental Car Center. The tram ride is short and frequent, and it is designed for travellers with luggage. Keep bags close, hold the handrails, and if you have small children, position the pushchair parallel to the side to avoid blocking doors.
Step 6, arrive at the Rental Car Center and head to your provider’s desk. When the tram doors open, follow the flow into the building. The desks are organised together, so it becomes a simple indoor walk. If you have pre-arranged a specific supplier, keep your confirmation details accessible to speed things up. Hola Car Rentals provides a central place to compare providers and vehicle types at MCO, including car rental from Orlando Airport to Disney area.
What signs to follow, the exact wording that keeps you on track
If you remember only three sign phrases, make them these, “Ground Transportation”, “Rental Car Center”, and “Tram”. In busy periods, it is easy to be pulled towards whichever queue looks like it is moving, so rely on the overhead signage rather than the crowd.
Where people often go wrong is following “Shuttles” without checking whether the sign is for off-airport rental shuttles rather than the on-airport Rental Car Center tram. From Terminal A, you want the on-airport tram connection, not an off-site shuttle bay.
If you have heavy luggage, minimise lifts and avoid backtracking
Heavy luggage changes the best route. Your goal is fewer level changes and fewer tight turns.
Use lifts whenever you see a choice. Lifts keep bags stable and reduce the risk of a case tipping on escalators. They are also more comfortable if you are travelling with older relatives.
Keep your luggage on a trolley until you reach the desk area. The tram and the Rental Car Center are built for luggage, so there is no need to carry cases for long distances.
Pause at major junctions to confirm the next sign. If you push through a junction and only then realise you missed “Rental Car Center”, you may have to turn around through a crowd. Stopping for five seconds can save five minutes.
How long does it take from Terminal A to the Rental Car Center?
Time varies by crowds and where you start, but most travellers find the transfer manageable. From baggage claim to the tram platform can be a short walk plus a level change, then the tram ride itself is brief, followed by an indoor walk to the desks. If you are travelling at peak times or with multiple cases, build in extra time for lifts and queues.
If you are selecting a larger vehicle for family luggage, it can help to compare categories ahead of time. For group travel, Hola Car Rentals also covers options like van hire Orlando MCO and family-friendly people carriers such as minivan hire for Disney and Orlando.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
Mistake, going outside to look for a bus. Fix, stay inside and follow “Rental Car Center” and “Tram”. The on-airport Rental Car Center is connected by the automated tram, which is usually faster and more direct than searching kerbside.
Mistake, ending up at hotel and off-airport shuttle stops. Fix, re-check the overhead signs and head back towards the tram signage. If you see repeated references to hotels, resorts, or off-site shuttles, you have drifted away from the Rental Car Center route.
Mistake, trying to carry bags instead of using a trolley. Fix, grab a trolley near baggage claim and keep it until you reach the Rental Car Center. Your shoulders will thank you, and you will move more steadily through crowds.
Mistake, not knowing which terminal you are in. Fix, look at the nearest wayfinding sign and confirm you are following directions for Terminal A ground transportation. Even if you start in a different area, the key phrases remain the same and will guide you correctly.
FAQ
Is the car hire centre inside Terminal A at Orlando Airport?
It is not inside Terminal A. You reach the on-airport Rental Car Center by following signs to “Ground Transportation” and taking the dedicated tram.
Do I need to take a shuttle bus from Terminal A to the Rental Car Center?
No. For the main on-airport car hire companies, you use the automated tram to the Rental Car Center rather than a shuttle bus.
Which level should I go to from Terminal A to find the tram?
Follow “Ground Transportation” and go down to the level where the Rental Car Center tram is signposted. Lifts are easiest with luggage or pushchairs.
What if I have very heavy luggage, is the walk long?
The walk is manageable, and luggage trolleys help a lot. Keep bags on a trolley, use lifts, and follow “Rental Car Center” signs to avoid backtracking.
Can I take a pushchair on the tram to the Rental Car Center?
Yes. Use lifts to reach the platform, let passengers exit first, then roll straight onto the tram and keep the pushchair clear of the doors.
