Orlando Airport is situated 11km southeast of Orlando at the junction of State Road 436 (SR 436 - 2 Boulevard) and State Road 528 (SR 528 - Bee Line/Beach Line Expressway). It is among the 30th busiest airports in the world handling over 30 million passengers every year and operates more flights to more US destinations than any other airport in Florida.
The main terminal building at Orlando Airport is a very light and airy ultra modern building with a passenger shuttle system linking the gates to the tri-level main terminal. Terminal 4 is a 24-gate facility with a large skylight dome and glass walls looking out over the lakes, landscaped islands and tropical vegetation surrounding the airport.
The average time taken by international passengers at Orlando Airport from disembarking from the aircraft and leaving the airport is 46 minutes. US Immigration operates 44 checkpoints which can handle up to 2,600 passengers per hour. There is a dedicated lounge on Airside 4 for international passengers in transit.
When you arrive at Orlando Airport check the monitors to determine the correct baggage carousel for your flight and then look for the signs for Baggage Claim A or Baggage Claim B and take the stairs, escalator or lift down to the Arrivals/Baggage Claim area on Level 2.
The best way to get around in the state of Florida is to hire a car, and there are a number of major car hire companies based at Orlando Airport. Taxis are available on Level 1 on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal, and may carry up to 9 passengers with metered rates.
Public transport facilities are on the Ground Transportation Concourse on Level 1 of Terminal 1. Lynx buses numbers 11, 41, 42 and 51 depart every 30 minutes between 05.30 and 23.30 for downtown Orlando with the trip taking about 40 minutes and costing $1.50 single fare.
To get to the nearest railway station from Orlando Airport you will have to take a taxi or bus into downtown Orlando to the Amtrak station at 1400 Sligh Blvd.
There are three car parks adjacent to the main terminals, and three more further away. It is often quicker to use the off-site parking and take the free shuttle bus to the terminals, as the parking spaces near the terminals are often full. There is also a cellphone car park.
Check-in for departing flights is on the Departures Level 3 of the Main Terminal and you should find out from your airline to find out whether you need to be on the A or B side of the terminal. You can be dropped off at the curb on the Departures Level 3, and may check-in on the curb if you are travelling within the United States.
There is a great number of restaurants, bars and shops at Orlando Airport with the 443 room Hyatt Regency Hotel on top the main terminal with an eight-story atrium which is decorated with palm trees creating a tropical atmosphere.
Passenger services at Orlando Airport include ATMs, currency exchange, information centres, Internet kiosks and postal services. There is a wide variety of shops with duty free outlets and retail outlets for the Kennedy Space Centre, Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World.
This guide to Orlando Airport was written by Linda Craik who is the main editor for Florida Airport Guide.com which is a comprehensive guide to all Florida Airports.Tags: florida airport guide, orlando airport