Orlando Car Rental Information: Get A Great Deal!

Orlando car rental issues can ruin your family vacation. Don't worry. We won't let that happen to you! Please read on so you'll be able to:

• Relax during your flight to Florida because you know your car will be waiting.

• Get a budget car rental when you want one.

• Rest assured your car hire will run smoothly.

• Easily get to some of the major destinations from the airport.

Over the years we have used different methods to book vehicles and have learned to shop around.

With competition high, prices vary. We're happy to report that it has been cheaper to secure an Orlando car rental each time we go to Florida. To help you find the best deal, we've put together some information based on what we've learned over the last 10 years.

Do you really need an Orlando car rental?

As in the rest of the USA, the car is still king in Orlando. It's a very easy and convenient way to get to your destination. Having a car rental or car hire gives you the freedom you require to move about Orlando without having to wait for scheduled buses.

However, time does not stand still in Orlando. Over the 10 years we have travelled here, Orlando has grown ten-fold as a holiday destination and community. That means there are 10 times as many people, 10 times as many cars and 10 times the congestion. If you don't like driving in an unfamiliar city with lots of traffic, you may want to stick with public transportation,1, 2, taxi cabs or limousines.

Rental Outlets

No matter how big your family, you'll find the right size car rental. Orlando Florida has many car rental companies. Some you may already be familiar with are E-Z, Dollar, L&M, Thrifty, Budget, Payless and Eagle Rent A Car. They cater to everybody, providing small compact cars to 12-seater mini-vans. We always use and reccommend Budget.com

And if you want something sporty or up-market, no problem! This is America. The choices are endless.

All Orlando rental cars carry air-con as standard and loads of other gadgets for you to play with. Although oil prices are high, petrol in America is still very cheap compared to our own economies back home. Veiw our 24/7 gas/petrol guide.

You'll find most Orlando car rental companies at Orlando and Sanford airports. This makes access quick and efficient. Shuttle services also operate to collection points away from the airports - read on for further information.

Choosing your Orlando car rental

This will depend on how you book your holiday;

1. Package holiday

2. Fly/drive

3. Vehicle only (before you go)

4. At the airport

5. Shuttle service to location of airport

If you're taking a package holiday or fly/drive, you'll book your vehicle at the point of sale with the travel company. Your travel agent should talk you through the size of vehicle or vehicles you require, insurance, extras (Child seats, extra drivers, under 25's, full tank of fuel). This is a pretty hassle-free way to secure a car rental. Orland Florida, here you come!

A few thoughts before you use the search box:

1. Orlando car rental companies away from the airports, tend to be cheaper but watch for hidden catches i.e. car insurance, tank of fuel. Find out what's included in your overall price. Shuttle services are available to and from the airports.

2. Orlando car rental insurance LDW, CDW, is a must when travelling from overseas. Please read this article about car rental insurance. It explains what you require. Personally, we take full coverage every time (peace of mind).

3. Drivers under age 25 (coming from overseas) face dramatically higher prices-an extra $20 - $25 per day! We recommend this excellent site for the under 25's.

4. Speed limit is 55mph on main roads and 60 - 65mph can be reached on roads leaving the Orlando area. Speed limits can be strictly enforced with on the spot fines.

Getting around Orlando by car

Many improvements have been carried out on the Interstate 4, 192 and other main roads around Orlando and the Disney areas. These improvements have made it easier to navigate the region, even for drivers unfamiliar with the area.

If you pick up your Orlando car rental and you don't know the Orlando area, use the toll roads to move around the state. After a few visits, you'll get to know the area and figure out the shortcuts.

Toll charges and directions

If you arrive by air via Orlando International Airport and get a rental car, go to the North Exit and head to SR 528 West to get to the Universal Studios area, SeaWorld and International Drive. This will require about $1.00 in tolls.

A shortcut to Walt Disney World hotels is the South Exit to SR 417 South. Follow it to Exit 5 and take SR 536 straight into Disney. This requires about $2.50 in tolls.

To travel to the Space Coast beaches, such as Cocoa Beach, as well as the cruise terminals of Port Canaveral, use SR 528, the Bee Line Expressway (recently renamed to the Beach Line), which is I-4 Exit 72. Look for directions at our Orlando car rental and map page.

When booking you're Orlando car rental, you don't want to use old news and information. We will keep updating our site via our RSS feed Simply click onto the RSS feed above and follow the instructions. It's an easy way to stay on top of what's happening in Orlando, free of charge.