FLIGHTS

Orlando International Airport Guide

USATODAY

Contact information and flight status

Checkpoint savvy

The Orlando Airport 446-room Hyatt Hotel is placed on top of the main terminal building.

Busiest times for both major checkpoint areas: 6 to 8 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. to noon; and 5 to 7 p.m. Weekends are slightly busier. Tuesday and Wednesday lightest travel days.

No real workarounds. A and B terminals are connected, but each side has its own checkpoint.

Expedited CLEAR lanes available; depending on your airline, expedited TSA PreCheck lanes may be available.

Parking

Parking information: 407-825-PARK (24 hours)

Most convenient: Valet parking: Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport (inside main terminal building), $25/day. Terminal garage, $17/day.

Least expensive: Satellite parking, $10/day (fees included), 24-hour shuttle to airport. Parking in Terminal Garage is free if you exit within 20 minutes.

Cellphone lots: South Lot at 10536 Jeff Fuqua Boulevard in the South Park Place lot – turn right after you enter. Open 24 hours. No charge for first two hours; $4 for two to three hours and $10 for 24 hours. North Lot at 5501 Cargo Road - exit right off Jeff Fuqua Boulevard onto Cargo Road then right again onto the north exit road ramp. No charge.

Transportation to/from city

Most convenient: Taxi to downtown Orlando, about $35. Travel time: 25 to 30 minutes. (To International Drive, $33-$39; to Walt Disney World, about $60.) Shared shuttle van to downtown Orlando, about $17. See more options.

Least expensive: LYNX bus route No. 11 and No. 51 to downtown Orlando, $2. Travel time: about 40 min. See more options/destinations.

Disney Magical Express: Complimentary bus service for guests of Disney properties. Reservations required and some restrictions apply.

Wi-Fi and charging stations

Free Wi-Fi available in all public areas.

18 complimentary charging stations airside. Main terminal has many seating areas with power outlets.

Go local

Good choice for local gifts: Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios & Kennedy Space Center. (Tip: Tickets for major theme parks are on sale at the airport.) See more options.

Good choice for local food: Main Terminal: McCoy’s Bar and Grill (lobby level of Hyatt Regency). Airside 1 (Gates 1-29): ZaZa New Cuban Diner. Airside 2 (Gates 100-129): Cask and Larder Public House (Southern-inspired cuisine), Johnny Rivers Smokehouse. Airside 3 (Gates 30-59): ZaZa Cuban Coffee. See more options.

Tips and tidbits

MCO has four Mamava nursing stations, a 3,000-gallon salt-water aquarium (in the food court), a fountain with changing water patterns and life-size statues of theme park characters for "last chance" photo ops.

An old-fashioned arcade is located in the Main Terminal B, pre-security.

Duane Hanson's lifelike sculpture called The Traveler is one of the highlights of the airport art collection.

Airport radio station FLY MCO offers airport information, weather and music at 105.1 HD2, online or via free apps.

The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in the airport’s Main Terminal and shares and atrium with the airport.

Nearby layover option

The Florida Mall (260 shops, free Wi-Fi) is 8 miles from the airport.

Your tips and picks?

Please share your time and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.

These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.