Orlando Airport Guide

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.

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 (North Terminal) is the hub, which is split into Terminals A and B. A separate Terminal C open in 2022. From the North Terminal, there are four airside concourses (1: Gates 1-29, 2: Gates 100-129, 3: Gates 30-59, 4: Gates 60-99). 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.

Orlando Airport guide — (Photo courtesy of a Guest Traveller / October 2019)

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. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Orlando Airport Guide.

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.

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

Orlando International Airport is open 24 hours, with landside access available in the North Terminal (A/B) and Terminal C.

TSA checkpoint hours depend on flight schedules and typically close overnight:

North Terminal

Concourse 1: ~12:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Concourse 2: ~1:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Concourse 3: ~12:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Concourse 4: ~1:00 AM – 4:00 AM

Terminal C

TSA typically closed ~1:00 AM – 4:00 AM

Airside access generally ends overnight unless you are already in transit with a valid boarding pass. If you remain landside, you should expect to stay in the public areas until TSA reopens in the morning.

Note: TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary by airline and can change. Confirm with your airline before an overnight stay.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

While there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones, informal spots with padded couches exist around the terminal. The hotel atrium between Terminal A and Terminal B also offers a relaxing spot to wait.

Cots

Cots are not offered to stranded passengers at Orlando Airport. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

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 – Upscale hotel. Located inside the Main Terminal on Level 4. Day rooms are available.

Hotels near the airport with shuttles

Ramada by Wyndham Suites (1.7 mi / 2.7 km) Mid-range hotel.
Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside (1.7 mi / 2.7 km) Upscale hotel.
Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport (1.7 mi / 2.7 km) Upscale hotel.
Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport at Gateway Village (1.8 mi / 2.9 km) Mid-range hotel.
Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport by IHG (2.0 mi / 3.2 km) Mid-range hotel.

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.

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. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.Lounge Access: Pay at the door (US$ 55) • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:45 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs • Eligible premium cabin and oneworld/AA elite status according to Admirals Club access rules.
Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Terminal C, Airside, Level 2, near Gate 241. Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. 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. Locations: Terminal B, Airside 4, near gate 91. Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (US$ 55) • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
United Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, near Gate 43. Hours: unknown. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership • Eligible Star Alliance / premium cabin / elite status according to United Club access rules.

Airline Lounges (members only)

Delta Sky Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, Center Atrium Area, Gate 71. Hours: unknown. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs (Delta Sky Club).

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. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.

Drinking Water

Free water bottle refill stations are located airside, generally near restrooms.

Food & Drinks

Most food outlets close overnight. Here are the 24-hour food options:

Dunkin’ – Terminal A & B, Level 3
McCoy’s Bar & Grill To-Go – Terminal A & B, Level 3
McDonald’s – Terminal A & B, Level 3
Starbucks – Terminal A, Level 3
Vending Machines are located throughout the airport

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Hold My Luggage offers luggage pickup, storage, and delivery services. Location: Landside, Level 1, B-Side.

Mobile Charging

Free charging stations with power outlets and USB ports are available airside throughout the terminals. Landside outlets exist but are less consistently available.

Showers

Shower facilities are available inside lounges only, including both locations of The Club at MCO. [ see Airport Lounges above ]

WiFi / Internet

Free unlimited WiFi is available at Orlando Airport. Connect to the “MCO Internet” network. No registration is required.

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, reports of pickpockets exist elsewhere. 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

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Chapel – Catholic Mass is held every Sunday at 8:15 AM and 12:00 PM in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. An interfaith chapel is available airside near Gates 1–59, and a separate reflection room is located airside near Gates 70–99.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available at DFASS Duty-Free, generally open from early morning until the last departing flight. A wide range of retail shops are also available throughout the terminal, including multiple Hudson News locations for books, snacks, and travel essentials.
Information Desk – Information desks are located on Level 3, just before the entrances to the airside concourses.

Luggage

Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts operated by Smarte Carte are available throughout the terminal and parking areas. Rates: unknown.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
Luggage Wrapping – Wrap N’ Fly offers protective luggage wrapping services in the main terminal. Hours and pricing vary.

Money

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available both landside and airside. Fees may apply depending on your bank and card type.
Currency Exchange – Interchange currency exchange booths operate in the main terminal and select airside areas, with hours varying by location.

Pet Relief Area – Two outdoor pet relief areas are available landside near Terminals A and B. These are the only designated relief areas.
SIM Cards – A reader notes that physical SIM cards are generally not sold, and airport options—when available—tend to be more expensive. Many travellers now use eSIMs instead.
Smoking Areas – Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the airport. There are no designated indoor smoking areas.
Spa – Spa services, including massages, manicures, and facials, are offered by Terminal Getaway Spa and XpresSpa at multiple airside locations. Hours vary by location.

Things to do & see

Art in the Airport – Permanent and rotating art installations are displayed throughout the terminal.
Bowling Alley (off-site) – For longer layovers, travellers can take a short taxi ride to Three Points Bowling, located a few miles from the airport.
Observation Area – Plane-spotters and aviation enthusiasts can view the airfield from the Terminal Top Parking Garage (Level 9) or the Cell Phone Lot. Access requires advance authorization and valid photo ID through the airport’s Public Affairs Office.

Airlines

Orlando Airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Aerolíneas Argentinas • Aeroméxico • Aeroméxico Connect • Air Canada • Air Transat • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Avianca • Azul Airlines • BahamasAir • British Airways • Caribbean Airlines • Copa Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Edelweiss • El Al • Emirates • Flair • Frontier Airlines • GOL • Icelandair • Interjet • JetBlue • LATAM • Lufthansa • Miami Air • Norwegian • Silver Airways • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country • Sunwing • Swoop • United Airlines • Virgin Atlantic • Volaris • WestJet • World Atlantic Airlines.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

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.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

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. The hotel shuttle bus stop is located at Terminal B in Commercial Lane spaces B42-B47 on the Ground Transportation Level.

See 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.

Train

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.
TS tells us “Brightline ‘Highspeed’ train connects Orlando to South Florida locations such as Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale & Miami. Brightline has direct service from the Airport follow the airport signage to the “train station” It’s fairly new service so it’s best to check the Brightline website for schedules & fares.”

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: 2026-01-05

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.