Quick Summary:
- From Terminal A, follow signs to Ground Transportation and Rental Cars.
- Ride the airport tram from the concourse back to Main Terminal.
- Change levels as directed, then follow signs to the Rental Car Center.
- At the RCC, find your provider desk and confirm pick-up bay details.
If you arrive at Terminal A at Orlando International Airport (MCO), your car hire pick-up starts with one key point: most major car hire desks are not in the gate area. You will first move from the airside concourse back to the main terminal, then follow the airport’s “Rental Cars” signage to reach the on-site Rental Car Center (RCC) where the counters and vehicles are organised.
This guide walks you step-by-step from the moment you step off the plane in Terminal A, including what signs to follow, which level you should be on, and what transport is typically used to reach the car hire desks and pick-up bays.
For an overview of Orlando airport car hire options and how pick-up generally works at MCO, see Orlando airport car rental. If you prefer “car hire” terminology, the UK-focused page car hire Orlando MCO is also useful to compare providers and expectations.
Step-by-step: Terminal A gate to car hire desks
Step 1: Follow “Tram” and “Main Terminal” signs from your gate. Terminal A flights arrive into an airside concourse. After deplaning, you will see overhead signs directing you toward the tram, sometimes labelled as the Automated People Mover, for connections to the main terminal. Keep walking in the direction of “Main Terminal” rather than “Baggage Claim” only, because baggage claim sits in the main terminal complex.
Step 2: Ride the airport tram back to the Main Terminal. At MCO, the tram is the standard way to move from the concourse to the central terminal building. It is frequent and short. Stay with your party and luggage, and keep an eye on overhead monitors and announcements that confirm the direction to the main terminal.
Step 3: Go through arrivals, then continue to Baggage Claim if required. If you have checked bags, you will collect them in the main terminal baggage claim area. If you are travelling with carry-on only, you can still use the same wayfinding, but you may be able to proceed more directly toward ground transportation. In either case, the next navigation goal is “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”.
Step 4: Follow signs to “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”. In the main terminal, look for overhead directional signage with icons for a car. “Rental Cars” is normally listed alongside options such as taxis, shuttles, ride-share, and public transport. If you are unsure, airport staff can point you to the correct corridor or lift bank, but the signage is usually consistent and repeated.
Step 5: Get to the correct level for rental car transport. At Orlando Airport, the car hire desks and pick-up are typically accessed via the airport’s Rental Car Center. Depending on the exact area you are standing in, you may need to change levels using lifts, escalators, or stairs. Watch for signs indicating “Level 1 Ground Transportation” or similar, and keep following “Rental Cars” rather than a specific company name until you are at the RCC.
Step 6: Take the shuttle or walkway to the Rental Car Center (RCC). Orlando’s on-airport rental operations are centred at the RCC. In many cases this is connected by a dedicated route from the main terminal. Follow the “Rental Cars” signs to the correct departure point, then use the airport-provided transport to reach the RCC. The key is to rely on the general “Rental Cars” wayfinding first, then look for your company branding once you arrive at the RCC.
Step 7: At the RCC, find your provider’s desk and confirm the bay or aisle. When you enter the Rental Car Center, you will usually see a bank of counters and overhead signs for individual brands. Join the correct queue, present your documents, and confirm where to pick up the vehicle. Some companies direct you to a specific numbered bay, others to an aisle, and some may issue zone letters. Before you leave the desk, ask where returns are, and which lane to use when exiting.
To understand the overall Orlando MCO set-up, including which providers operate there, you can cross-check on car rental Orlando MCO. If you are travelling with a larger group or extra luggage, it is also worth scanning van rental Orlando MCO so you know what to look for at the counters.
What signage to look for at Terminal A and in the Main Terminal
When you land, it is easy to get distracted by baggage claim signs, food options, and connections. For car hire pick-up from Terminal A, these are the sign phrases that matter most:
“Tram”, “Automated People Mover”, or “Main Terminal”. This gets you out of the airside concourse and back to the central terminal building.
“Baggage Claim”. Even if you have no checked luggage, the route toward baggage claim typically keeps you on track for ground transport.
“Ground Transportation”. This is the umbrella category that leads to rental cars, shuttles, taxis, and more.
“Rental Cars”. Keep following this until you reach the RCC. Only then should you start searching for your company’s logo or name.
A helpful habit is to ignore brand-specific signs early on. Many travellers lose time by looking for their specific desk while still in the wrong building. At Terminal A, your first target is always the main terminal. Your second target is the Rental Car Center.
Terminal A to car hire pick-up in plain directions
If you want a simplified version you can follow while walking, use this sequence:
From your Terminal A gate, walk to the tram. Ride the tram to the Main Terminal. Collect bags if you have them. Follow signs for Ground Transportation, then Rental Cars. Change to the correct level as directed by signage. Take the airport transport route to the Rental Car Center. Find your provider’s counter, complete paperwork, then follow instructions to the vehicle pick-up area.
This is the same flow most travellers use at MCO, and it is designed to be guided by repeated “Rental Cars” signs rather than guesswork.
Common mistakes when arriving at Terminal A for car hire
Heading outside too early. If you exit to the kerbside without following “Rental Cars” directions, you can end up among hotel shuttles and pick-up zones, then need to backtrack.
Looking for a desk in the concourse. Terminal A’s airside areas focus on gates and services, not rental counters. The desks are reached after you return to the main terminal and proceed to the RCC.
Assuming every provider is in the same place. Most major brands are in the Rental Car Center, but always confirm your provider’s pick-up instructions in your confirmation so you do not waste time.
Not planning for family logistics. With children or a large party, the transfer from gate to tram to RCC can feel longer. Agree a meeting point in the main terminal if someone needs to collect bags while another navigates to ground transportation.
FAQ
Where do you go for car hire pick-up if you arrive at Terminal A at Orlando Airport? You take the tram from Terminal A’s concourse to the Main Terminal, then follow “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars” signs to the on-site Rental Car Center where the desks and pick-up bays are located.
Do I need to go to baggage claim first before collecting my hire car? If you have checked luggage, yes, collect it at baggage claim in the main terminal first. If you only have carry-on, you can proceed towards “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars” without waiting at the carousels.
What signs should I follow from Terminal A to reach the car hire desks? Follow “Tram” or “Main Terminal” first, then in the main terminal follow “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”. Once in the Rental Car Center, look for your provider’s brand name above the counters.
Is the car hire pick-up inside Terminal A? No, the car hire counters are not in the gate concourse. You will return to the main terminal area and then continue to the Rental Car Center to complete paperwork and collect the vehicle.
How long does it take to get from Terminal A arrivals to the rental car desks? Timing varies with queues and baggage, but allow enough time for the tram ride, walking to ground transportation, and any waiting at the counters. In busy periods, the desk queue can be the longest part.
