Taking a cruise from Port Canaveral? Or maybe you are on a trip that features a day in the port? No matter how you get there, one of the popular things to do from the area is to head about 45 minutes west to Orlando.
Of course, you know that Orlando is a family playground. It’s home to Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and a number of other attractions including everything from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not to miniature golf courses.
No matter your reason for wanting to head into the city, you won’t be alone in going there from the port. And you won’t be alone in trying to figure out the best way to get to Orlando from Port Canaveral.
The truth is that getting to the city can take some time and effort. Port Canaveral is located on Florida’s east coast, and it is a bit of a drive into Orlando. Unfortunately, there is no viable public transportation between the two points.
The good news is that a number of options do exist to get you from the port to the theme parks and back. So you can get there without too much hassle.
Orlando’s Location in Relation to Port Canaveral
To better evaluate your options, it’s helpful to understand where Orlando and major points of attraction like theme parks sit relative to the cruise port.
The cruise port sits about 45 miles from Orlando International Airport. That ride takes about 45 minutes. But then the major theme parks are located on the southwest side of the city, which is a bit longer.
Distances from Port Canaveral:
- Orlando Airport: 45 miles | 45 minutes
- SeaWorld: 55 miles | 55 minutes
- Universal Studios: 60 miles | 60 minutes
- Disney World: 65 miles | 65 minutes
If visiting the port during a one-day call, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship before the all aboard time.
Below, we cover some of your options for getting to Orlando from Port Canaveral.
Car Rental
If you’re looking for the most flexibility, then a car rental is your best option. This gives you the ability to go on your own schedule, without relying on anyone else.
There are several car rental agencies that cater to cruise passengers, including major brands like Enterprise, National, and Alamo right at the cruise port. Other brands like Budget and Avis are also nearby. Make a reservation ahead of time, you can book your car and be on your way soon after you arrive.
Why rent a car? Getting efficiently to — and around — the Orlando area requires a car as there is no public transportation. Meanwhile, the distance between points of interest is usually far, making a car a necessity convenience. As well, with the constrained time you have in port, it’s important that you be able to get around quickly (and not wait on a ride).
If you are interested in renting a car, we suggest that you use a site like Kayak to price all your options at once. In our searches, rates start around $75 per day — cheaper than the cost of a round trip Uber/Lyft to the city.
You can search for a rental car for your dates using the search box below:
Independent Shuttle Services
A small cottage industry has sprung up to provide transportation options to cruise passengers into the Orlando area. These independent shuttle services offer rides to major points of interest. Of the major attractions, however, Disney is the location serviced the most. If wanting to go other places like Universal or SeaWorld, you may be out of luck with some shuttles.
The shuttles are convenient if they head where you want to go, but keep in mind that the prices can quickly add up. For instance, the rates are around $70 per person round trip from Port Canaveral to Disney World. So if you are a family of four traveling, that’s $280 just to get from the port to the city and back.
You might be able to pay less and have more flexibility going a different mode of transportation. Of course, if you are uncomfortable driving in the area, a shuttle makes a great idea.
If you’re interested in shuttle service, here are a few options to get you started:
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have soared in popularity during the past decade, and for good reason. At the tap of your phone, you can request a ride and be picked up within minutes. Meanwhile, rates are similar — if not lower — than taxis and many consider the experience to be much more pleasant.
Uber and Lyft both operate in the Port Canaveral area and Orlando. That means you can catch a ride from the port all the way to the theme parks despite it being a pretty long ride. As well, the cars are private (you don’t share them with other parties) and several people can ride for the price charged.
Uber shows an estimated fare of between $110-$120 for a one-way ride from Port Canaveral to Disney World. That’s a little lower than a shuttle for two people and it’s a private ride that’s ready when you are. Lyft shows estimated rates that are slightly less — about $100-$110 each way.
Bottom Line on Getting to Orlando Theme Parks From Port Canaveral
While you have a number of ways on getting to the parks from the port, if you’re willing to do the driving yourself, then renting a car offers the best option in our opinion. Depending on your specific dates, it will be cheaper than a shuttle or Uber. As well, it offers a lot of convenience in that you have access to a car whenever you are ready to go — instead of waiting on a ride.
Still, not everyone is comfortable driving in unfamiliar territory. In that case, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft may be a good option as they offer the ability to call a car on demand wherever you want to go, while also being less expensive than a shuttle.
Have more questions about getting from Port Canaveral to the Orlando theme parks or other points of interest? Let us know in the comments below.
If I rent a car at Port Canaveral and drive to Disney World where we will continue our vacation. Can I return the car at the car care center if we plan to just use the Disney transportation system during our stay?
Not sure what the car care center is.
Is there a good place to park your rental car when leaving PC on a cruise?
Yep! Check out this page: https://www.cruzely.com/port-canaveral-cruise-parking/
Hi what hotel is close to both Universal and the port?
Orlando (and Universal Studios) are about 45 minutes to an hour from the port. There’s no hotel that’s close to both.
Hello, I am booking a cruise and i wanna go to disney world and i was wondering is there a shutt;e from my cruise ship to disney world.