If you can handle traffic congestion and aggressive drivers, a car is the best way of getting around the sprawling four-county metropolitan area intersected by I-4. Most tourists attractions are along a 10-mile (16 km) stretch running parallel to the inter-state, but taking a bus might be easier - if not quicker - in the packed summer months and on weekends.
The city's superlatives begin at Orlando International Airport - the largest car rental market in the world. Most major companies are located on either side of the terminal on the Transportation Level (Level 1). Other companies require a shuttle. Airport check-in service is available at the R level of parking garages where cars are returned.
Generally flat Orlando works hard to be a bike-friendly city with trails, bike lanes and quiet brick-paved streets. Public buses, including the airport run, have a free rack for bikes on the front. Juice Bike Share, a 24/7 rental program, operates out of 30 locations in Orlando and surrounding neighborhoods. Reserve bikes by mobile device or desktop computer or at one of the hubs. Visitors pay US$8 an hour on a pay-as-you-go plan.
Sunrail is a Monday-Friday commuter line, opened in 2014. So far the double-decker trains from Orland north to Dubary link a dozen stops, including the central bus station, the Amtrak station, Winter Park and Sanford. Expansion to the south is underway.
Lynx provides bus service in Orange, Oseola and Seminole counties and express routes to Clermont in Lake County and Deltona in Volusia County. Signs bearing a pink bus or pin paw indicate route numbers and where the bus stops. Bikes can be carried in a rack on the front. One-stop fares are US$2, exact change only. All-day unlimited rides passes run US$4.50 with weekly and monthly passes also available. Greyhound, Megabus and GotoBus offer regularly scheduled travel to Miami. The I-Ride Trolley operates stops along International Drive where many attractions are located from 8 am to 10:30 pm.
Taxis are easy to pick up at the airport and hotels, but avoid hailing unlicensed taxis on the street. Lyft, Uber and Zipcar operate around town. Town-car service is also available.
