Quick Summary
- Orlando prices dip outside school holidays—book early for March and July.
- Compact cars work best for theme‑park garages; minivans are king for families.
- Check shuttle times and after‑hours returns; not all desks are 24/7.
Hunting value in the Theme Park Capital? Start by securing your car hire and then compare a few well‑known names—Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Payless, Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and National. Orlando International (MCO) has huge fleets, but prices surge around spring break and Christmas.
Budget‑friendly brands to check. For rock‑bottom rates, look first at this Payless Orlando page and Thrifty at MCO. Budget often runs seasonal specials—see its Orlando listing. Travelling with strollers or grandparents? This minivan hire option keeps everyone comfortable without booking two cars.
Smart timing for park days. If you’ll spend entire days at Disney or Universal, consider collecting late on day one and returning early on your last morning to shave an extra day off the rental. Garages around the parks are multi‑storey with tight ramps—another reason to keep sizes sensible.
Hola Car Rentals keeps things crystal clear: you’ll see your total with coverage upfront, plus perks like Cashback on tolls, Free Cancellation up to 48 hours and an All‑Inclusive+ Rate on many itineraries. That way you spend less time comparing jargon and more time planning rides.
Curious which desks sit where at MCO and which brands are on‑airport? This quick guide to companies at Orlando Airport breaks down counters, shuttles and shortcuts.
Why book with Hola Car Rentals
- No additional fees, save 60% guaranteed.
- Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick‑up.
- All‑Inclusive+ Rate with maximum coverage.
- Maximum liability coverage ($300,000 on selected itineraries).
FAQs
Which company is usually cheapest in Orlando? It varies by week. Payless, Dollar and Thrifty frequently post the lowest base rates; Budget and Alamo often run promos.
Do I need a large SUV for the parks? Not necessarily. Compact or midsize cars are easier to park and usually cheaper; upgrade only if you truly need the space.
What about tolls to the coast or space centre? Set the transponder at pick‑up and use signed lanes. Hola Car Rentals offers Cashback on tolls to offset costs.
Are car seats available? Yes, but they’re billed per day. Bringing your own can save money and ensure the right size.
Book with Hola Car Rentals and put more of your budget into churros, not parking receipts.
Driving times: From MCO to Disney’s Transportation & Ticket Center is roughly 25–35 minutes via SR‑417 or SR‑528 depending on traffic. Universal Orlando is closer—about 20–25 minutes along SR‑528 and I‑4, though I‑4 can crawl at peak hours.
If you’ll mix hotel days with park shuttles, consider collecting the vehicle only on your beach or space‑center day. SR‑528 (the Beachline Expressway) is the most direct route to Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center, with tolls clearly signposted.
Return planning: Fuel near the airport is plentiful on Semoran Blvd (SR‑436). Leave an extra 15–20 minutes to reach your terminal during peak evenings; shuttles and garage ramps can stack up after fireworks nights.
Sample family plan: Land Sunday, collect Monday morning after your resort day, drive to Kennedy Space Center Tuesday via SR‑528, beach afternoon at Cocoa, then return Wednesday before dinner. Trimming one rental day can fund an extra meal or souvenirs.
Fees to watch: Additional driver charges add up quickly. If one adult will do most of the driving, leave the second name off. Fuel pre‑pay can be convenient, but filling within 10 miles of MCO is usually cheaper.
If storms roll in: Florida downpours are intense but brief. Leave extra stopping distance, use headlights in rain and avoid flood‑prone shortcuts. Rental fleets turn over quickly after big storms, but always check for alerts on your pick‑up day.
