Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Orlando Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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I have slept at Orlando International so many times in recent years that I now don’t even consider getting a hotel if I will only be in town for one night. – Tom
MCO Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Orlando International Airport.
What to Expect
Orlando Airport (Code: MCO) has an efficient hub-and-spoke layout. The spacious pre-Security main terminal is the hub, and the four concourses, all inside Security, are the spokes. Anticipate some walking, or hop on the elevated people mover to get around.
There are plenty of shops and dining, both pre-and inside Security. Travellers particularly appreciate the free, unlimited WiFi and the numerous charging outlets, especially in the Secure areas. Economy Class passengers can pay to enter one of several airport lounges, and two lounges have shower facilities and designated rest areas.
Sleeping in Orlando Airport
Travellers who sleep here seem to agree that it’s not the best airport sleeping experience, but it’s certainly not the worst. You may be able to stay overnight on the quieter airside as long as you clear Security before they close for the night. TSA stations close after the last flight of the day and don’t reopen until 5 am.
The seating here is decent. The landside and airside areas have a range of wooden benches, armchairs, and small couches. If you prefer the floor, you’ll be happy to know that much of it is carpeted. Still, a sleep mat, blanket, or sleeping bag will provide extra cushion. Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- The food court in the main terminal has some padded benches.
- Airside: The area around Gates 70-150 has a long padded bench for many people to rest on.
- Landside: Leave the Departures level for warmer temperatures and head to the car rental level.
- Landside: Check-in areas; there are many nooks you can tuck into for some privacy.
- A designated rest zone where tired travellers can relax and enjoy some stress-free time before their flight. Head to the hotel atrium between Terminals A and B.
A few travellers reported that bathrooms are few and far between on the concourses. Other complaints are the cold temps and nonstop noise, so bring an extra layer plus earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is located pre-security in the main terminal, and several other hotels are accessible by free airport shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read recent traveller reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Orlando Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Remember that TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
While there are no reclining loungers, the hotel atrium between Terminal A and Terminal B offers a relaxing spot to wait.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Orlando Airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel inside the main terminal and other nearby hotels that provide free airport shuttles:
Hotel inside Orlando Airport
- Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport – Located inside the main terminal on level 4, directly above the security entrance to Gates 60-129. They offer Day Rooms between 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. » Check Rates
Hotels near the airport with airport shuttles
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Airport » Check Rates
- Fairfield Inn by Marriott Orlando Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport at Gateway Village » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Orlando Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express Orlando International Airport » Check Rates
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Airport » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando Airport North » Check Rates
- Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside » Check Rates
- Ramada Suites Orlando Airport » Check Rates
- Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Orlando Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Club at MCO (Terminal A) – This lounge is available to all travellers no matter what class of service or airline. Showers and a designated rest zone are available. Location: Terminal A, Airside, Concourse 1, Gates 1 – 29, adjacent to XpresSpa. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
- Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Terminal C, Airside, Level 2, near Gate 241. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- The Club at MCO (Terminal B) – This lounge is available to all travellers no matter what class of service or airline. Showers and a designated rest zone are available. Locations: Terminal B, Airside 4, near gate 91. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- United Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, near Gate 43. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Airline Lounges (members only)
- Delta Sky Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, Center Atrium Area, Gate 71. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounges
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Terminal A, Landside, Level 1.
Related Pages: Orlando Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does Orlando Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Most food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. According to a January 2023 traveller, there are no 24-hour food options. You will want to stock up on food and drinks before the food concessions close for the night (approx. 10:00 PM).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Hold My Luggage provides luggage pickup/return, storage and transport services. Location: Level 1, B-Side.
Mobile Charging
Recharge your mobile devices at the Airside 3 and Airside 4 gate areas.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Shower facilities are available in both Club locations at MCO Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Orlando Airport. Connect to the “MCO Internet” network. Internet kiosks are available airside if you do not have a mobile device. They can be found near the gates, and a few landside on Level 3.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to have no issue with sleeping travellers, even those staying overnight.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Orlando Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Chapel – Catholic mass is held every Sunday at 8:15 AM and 12:00 PM in the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport lobby. In addition, an interfaith chapel is located Airside (west side near Gates 1-59) and a “reflection room” is also available on Airside 4 (Gates 70-99).
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available at DFASS Duty-Free from 5:00 AM until the last flight departure of the day. Two locations: (Airside 1, Gates 20 – 29) and (Airside 4, Gates 70 – 99). In addition, there is a good variety of shops to pass the time, including five locations of Hudson News for any last-minute requirements.
Information Desk – Desks are located on Level 3 before the entrances to Airside.
Luggage
- Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts (Smarte Carte) are available throughout the terminal and parking garage. Rate: unknown.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – Wrap N’ Fly offers services. Location: Level 1 on the A-Side of the Main Terminal. Hours: 6:00 AM-8:00 PM. Rates: unknown
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
- Currency Exchange – Interchange booths are located in the Main Terminal, East and West Halls (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM) and in Airside 4, Gates 70 – 99 (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM).
Pet Relief Area – Two designated outdoor pet relief areas are available. Locations: Terminal A, landside, Level 2, East Side. Exit the building and walk to the right. • Terminal B, landside, Level 2, West Side. Exit the building and walk to the right.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking Areas – Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside the airport.
Spa – Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more are available at Terminal Getaway Spa (Airside 2, Gates 100 – 129) or XpresSpa (Airside 1, Gates 1 – 29 • Airside 3, Gates 30 – 59 • Airside 4, Gates 70 – 99 • Main Terminal – South Walk). Hours for all locations: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily.
Things to do & see
- Art in the Airport – Permanent and rotating art exhibits are displayed throughout the airport.
- Bowling Alley (off-site) – If you are travelling with friends and need something to do for an extended layover, take a taxi to Three Points Bowling (located approx. five miles/nine minutes from the airport @ 7474 Hoffner Avenue)
- Observation Area – Plane-spotters, photographers, and aviation enthusiasts can get a panoramic view of the airport complex from Level 9 of the Terminal Top Parking Garage or the Cell Phone Lot. To access these areas, you must fill out a “Use of Facilities Form” and present it with a valid photo ID to the Public Affairs Office on the 3rd floor of the Main Terminal.
Bus
Public buses to downtown Orlando, International Drive, Florida Mall/SeaWorld and the Sand Lake Road SunRail station are available at Terminal A in Commercial Lane spaces A38-A41 on the Ground Transportation Level. The fare is $2.00, and connecting routes are available. For more information, visit the Lynx website.
Car Rentals
Most major car rental agencies operate on-site at the airport. Car rental check-in desks are located on the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1) of Terminals A and B, eliminating the need for shuttle bus service to a separate rental area. The following agencies can be found at the airport: Advantage • Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • E-Z Rent A Car • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty. Additional rental agencies are off-site and provide courtesy shuttle service to and from the airport.
Cruise Transportation
A reader tells us, “Anyone arriving for cruise transportation should go to level 1 in the B terminal for Disney, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian cruise line transfers. Go Port Canaveral is found on level 1 in the A terminal. This information is not found on the airport website. ” (December 2021)
Hotel Shuttles
Many area hotels provide airport shuttle service: avid hotel • Cambria Hotel • Country Inn & Suites by Radisson • Courtyard by Marriott • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel • Embassy Suites by Hilton • Fairfield Inn • Hampton Inn • Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport @ Gateway Village • Hilton Garden Inn • Holiday Inn • Holiday Inn Express & Suites • Home2 Suites by Hilton • Homewood Suites by Hilton • Hyatt Place • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando Airport North • La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Orlando Airport West • Ramada by Wyndham Suites • Renaissance Hotel • Residence Inn by Marriott • Sheraton Suites Hotel • SpringHill Suites by Marriott • Staybridge Suites Orlando Airport South • TownePlace Suites • Wingate by Wyndham.
The hotel shuttle bus stop is located at Terminal B in Commercial Lane spaces B42-B47 on the Ground Transportation Level.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Out-of-Town Shuttles
Out-of-town shuttles are on the Ground Transportation Level of Terminal A (Commercial Lane space A15) and Terminal B (Commercial Lane space B14 & B15). For more information, visit the Orlando Airport website.
Ride Share
A traveller tells us, “Uber & Lyft can be taken from level 2 on both A & B terminals. Riders should choose door 14 or door 3 in Terminal A (corresponding to the luggage carousels at either end) and door 20 or door 32 in Terminal B.” (December 2021)
Shared Ride Shuttles
Mears Transportation provides shared ride shuttle service and chauffeured transportation to and from MCO Airport. For more information, visit the Orlando Airport website.
SunRail
The SunRail is a commuter train system that services the Orlando metropolitan area. SunRail is connected to Orlando Airport by the Lynx bus line, which runs between the airport and Sand Lake Road SunRail station.
Taxi
Taxis authorized to pick up at Orlando Airport must charge the metered rate. Flat rates are not allowed. Taxis can be found on levels 1 and 2 in both terminals.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.