When is the best time to book a flight to Orlando?
Peak season
Orlando is at its busiest during April for Spring Break, mid-June to mid-August for the height of summer and sometimes early-December to early-January for the winter. You won’t find the cheapest flights to Orlando during these times, but they are popular months because of the stability of the weather. You can expect lows of 8 degrees in January and highs of 33 degrees in July and August.
Off season
The weather is much more erratic in the months of September, October and November due to hurricane season (1st June - 30th November), so this is when you are most likely to find cheap flights to Orlando. Be aware of the weather forecast before you book flights. September through to March is when you are most likely to find the more affordable family deals for a trip of a lifetime to the likes of Universal Studios, Walt Disney World and Islands of Adventure.
Which airlines operate flights to Orlando?
British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Aer Lingus, Transaero Airlines and Iberia are amongst the many major airlines that fly to Orlando. There is no doubt that Orlando is one of the most competitive destinations in the world for airlines, so the cost of flight tickets will change significantly throughout the year.
How long is the flight to Orlando?
Flights from London to Orlando: 8 hours 30 minutes
Flights from Manchester to Orlando: 8 hours 17 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Orlando: 8 hours 21 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Orlando: 8 hours 5 minutes
Orlando’s airports
Orlando has two airports that are approximately 11 miles apart: Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL).
How to get from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to the city centre?
A former military base, McCoy Air Force Base (MCO) was redeveloped to create one of the busiest international airports in the world to serve one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Distance to the city centre is 6 miles (9.6km) south-east of Orlando
Once your flight to Orlando lands, the AGT train station will transport you to either terminal A or terminal B for Baggage Claim A or Baggage Claim B respectively.
Once you’ve picked your luggage up, you’ll find all shuttle vans and buses, taxis and rental car services on the Ground Transportation Level, which is level 1. The local metro system, LYNX, also runs services between the airport and Orlando.
It’s around $2 for the local bus to anywhere but Disney and Walt Disney World, which is $4. A shuttle bus is $19-28 per person for a one-way trip, $31-48 for a round trip, and a taxi is likely to cost anything between $33 and $75, depending on where you are going.
If you’re staying in one of the Walt Disney World resort hotels in Orlando, there is the pre-bookable shuttle bus service, Disney’s Magical Express, to take you there for free, which the kids are sure to love. It will also take you back to the airport for that last touch of Floridian magic at the end of your holiday.
Getting between terminals
For baggage claim, you’ll need to be in terminal A or B and the AGT train can get you there. Terminal A and terminal B are in the same 525ft-wide building, so you can walk between them on level 3 of the building.
Hints and tips
- The LYNX bus to Downtown Orlando via routes 11 and 51 is only $2 a ticket
- The WiFi is free throughout the airport and there are 18 complimentary charging points in the airside terminals (charging points are in abundance in the main terminal)
How to get from Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) to the city centre?
An airport more suited to flights for business than flights for leisure, ORL is Orlando’s second airport. Distance to the city centre is 3 miles (6km) east of Downtown Orlando.
Orlando Executive Airport offers a door-to-door service to all passengers and is within easy reach of Downtown Orlando, business parks and theme parks alike, so it is very accessible. Just three miles from Orlando, it is a popular choice for business trips to Orlando.
Hints and tips
- ORL is the airport of choice if you are flying into Orlando for business - it is minutes from many major commercial and corporate locations
- Book transfers in advance before you arrive at Orlando Executive Airport