Quick Summary:
- Follow “Ground Transportation” signs down to Level 1 from Terminal A.
- Use lifts or escalators, then walk to the A-side rental counters.
- Allow 10 to 20 minutes from gate to counter, depending on bags.
- After the desk, follow “Rental Car Pick-Up” signs to the garages.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is designed so arriving passengers can reach car hire desks without leaving the main terminal complex. Terminal A sits on the north side of the main terminal, and most major rental brands have counters on the Ground Transportation level. The key is to follow the right sign wording, because “Ground Transportation”, “Rental Cars”, and “Rental Car Pick-Up” can point you to slightly different parts of the same level.
If you are arranging car hire through Hola Car Rentals, it helps to know the simple airport flow: gate to baggage claim (if needed), down to Level 1 for counters, then onward to the pick-up area in the garages. For broader MCO car hire context, you can compare airport options on car hire Orlando MCO and car rental Orlando MCO.
Step-by-step: Terminal A to the rental car centre
Step 1, confirm you are on the A-side of the main terminal. Terminal A is the “A-side” of the Main Terminal building. If you arrived into an Airside concourse (which most flights do), you will take the airport tram (people mover) into the Main Terminal. When you exit the tram, look for large overhead signs that say “A Side” and point towards “Baggage Claim” and “Ground Transportation”.
Time estimate: from tram exit to the central atrium on the A-side is usually 2 to 5 minutes, depending on crowd levels.
Step 2, decide whether you need baggage claim. If you have checked luggage, follow “Baggage Claim” signs first. These will lead you down from the A-side atrium to the baggage hall. If you only have hand luggage, you can still follow “Ground Transportation” directly, because the rental counters are on the same lower level as baggage claim and transport services.
Signage cue: you will repeatedly see “Baggage Claim” paired with “Ground Transportation”, and often “Level 1”. Those are the correct prompts for the rental desks.
Time estimate: if you are waiting for bags, add 15 to 45 minutes depending on flight and carousel timing. Walking time is minimal.
Step 3, go to Level 1 for Ground Transportation and rental counters. From the A-side atrium or baggage claim area, take the lift or escalator to Level 1. At MCO, Level 1 is where you will find Ground Transportation, including most on-airport rental car counters. The counters are in the terminal, not in a separate building, so you are staying indoors and air-conditioned.
Tip: if you are travelling with a buggy, lots of bags, or mobility needs, choose the lift. It keeps you together and avoids bottlenecks where escalators meet the floor.
Time estimate: 3 to 8 minutes from the A-side atrium to Level 1, including the descent and short walk.
Step 4, follow “Rental Cars” or “Car Rental” signs to the A-side counter area. Once on Level 1, look for overhead signs that explicitly mention “Rental Cars” or “Car Rental”. MCO’s signage is clear, but it is easy to drift towards rideshare pick-up if you only follow “Ground Transportation” without checking the subheading. Stay focused on “Rental Cars” wording, and keep to the A-side zone.
What you will see: a line of branded desks, queue stanchions, and digital boards. If you are unsure, pause and scan for an airport wayfinding map. The rental desks are grouped, so seeing one brand is a good indicator you are in the correct place.
Time estimate: 2 to 6 minutes from the Level 1 escalator or lift to the counter area, depending on where you come down.
Step 5, after the desk, follow “Rental Car Pick-Up” to the garages. The counter is only the first part. After paperwork (or confirmation) you will walk to the rental car pick-up area, which is signposted as “Rental Car Pick-Up” and typically leads towards the parking garages. Keep an eye out for arrows that direct you to the garage level and the correct aisle range.
Signage cue: “Rental Car Pick-Up” is the phrase that gets you from counters to vehicles. If you accidentally follow “Hotel Shuttles” or “Rideshare”, you will end up outside in the transport lanes.
Time estimate: 5 to 10 minutes from counter to the correct garage row, plus time to locate your assigned vehicle space.
Step 6, build in realistic time from gate to car keys. A practical end-to-end timing helps you plan. From arriving at the gate to reaching the rental counter often takes 10 to 20 minutes if you do not wait for checked luggage. Add baggage wait time if applicable. Queueing at the desk varies widely, so add a buffer if you arrive at peak times or late afternoon.
If you are considering different car types, it can be useful to check whether you need a standard car, a larger SUV, or a people carrier. Hola Car Rentals also covers larger options, see van hire Disney Orlando MCO for an overview of van-style rentals in the same airport area.
Common signage and “gotchas” on the A-side
Ground Transportation vs Rental Car Pick-Up: Ground Transportation gets you to Level 1, where the counters are. Rental Car Pick-Up is the follow-on route from the counter to the garages. People sometimes look for “Pick-Up” immediately and skip the counters, which can be confusing if you still need to check in.
A-side vs B-side: Terminal A is the A-side. If you find yourself in the B-side atrium, do not worry, the building is connected, but you will add walking time. Look for directional signs back to “A Side” and then continue down to Level 1.
Rideshare lanes: At MCO, rideshare and shuttle boarding areas are also on the lower levels. If you end up outside with kerbside traffic and shuttle bays, you have likely followed the wrong branch of Ground Transportation. Head back inside and re-check the “Rental Cars” signs.
Tips for a smoother car hire pick-up at MCO
Keep documents accessible. Have your driving licence, payment card, and confirmation details easy to reach before you reach Level 1. It reduces time at the counter and helps keep your group moving.
Know your provider and terminal cues. If you have arranged a specific brand through Hola Car Rentals, it helps to recognise the desk quickly. For example, you can familiarise yourself with pages like Avis car hire Orlando MCO or Thrifty car hire Orlando MCO so you know what name to look for on the counter signs.
Check the pick-up instructions you receive. Some arrangements use standard counters, while others may provide instructions for a specific desk area or garage section. Even when the route is the same, the final garage aisle can differ.
FAQ
Q: Is the rental car centre inside Terminal A at Orlando Airport?
A: The rental counters are inside the main terminal on Level 1 (Ground Transportation). From Terminal A, you stay indoors to reach the desks, then follow signs to the garage pick-up area.
Q: How long does it take to walk from Terminal A to the rental counters?
A: If you do not stop for checked bags, allow about 10 to 20 minutes from arriving at the gate to reaching the counters, including the people mover and moving down to Level 1.
Q: Which signs should I follow from Terminal A for car hire?
A: Follow “Ground Transportation” to Level 1, then look specifically for “Rental Cars” or “Car Rental” for the counters. After your counter stop, follow “Rental Car Pick-Up” to the garages.
Q: What if I end up outside at rideshare or hotel shuttles?
A: Head back inside and re-check overhead signs for “Rental Cars”. Rideshare and shuttles share the Ground Transportation level, so it is easy to take the wrong branch if you miss the rental wording.
Q: Do I need to go to baggage claim first to reach car hire?
A: Only if you have checked luggage. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, you can go straight towards Level 1 Ground Transportation and the rental counters from the A-side atrium.
