Getting around without a car
Skip the hire car and you can still get about: the I-RIDE Trolley on International Drive, buses, Uber/Lyft, and — now — Waymo robotaxis in parts of Orlando.
Quick version
- I-RIDE Trolley: $2 a ride or unlimited passes from $8 (1 day) to $22 (14 days); not sold on board.
- Open both Uber and Lyft before you book — one is often cheaper at the same moment.
- Waymo is live to the public in Orlando; we rode I-Drive (Rosen at Pointe Orlando) → Universal on 19 Oct 2026; SeaWorld is in the zone too.
- No tip on Waymo (no human driver); tip Uber/Lyft in the app if you want to.
- Still deciding on a car? See car hire for Brits.
- I-RIDE Trolley: runs along International Drive daily from 8am to 10:30pm. It's $2 a ride ($1 for children aged 3–9, free for under-3s, exact change only). Unlimited passes cost $8 for 1 day, $10 for 3 days, $12 for 5 days, $18 for 7 days and $22 for 14 days. Passes aren't sold on board I-Drive official. Last checked 19 Oct 2026.
- LYNX buses: Central Florida's public buses LYNX.
- Rideshare & Waymo: see the full section below.
- Brightline train: from Orlando airport to South Florida Brightline.
- Hotel shuttles: some hotels run free park shuttles. Ask before you book.
Rideshare for UK visitors: Uber & Lyft
Uber and Lyft both run in Orlando. Prices move with demand, so treat them as a tool, not a fixed fare.
- Compare every time. Open both Uber and Lyft before you book and pick the cheaper (or faster) quote. One app is often dearer at the same moment.
- Surge / peak times. Expect higher prices when parks empty out, around firework shows, and on Friday/Saturday nights. If the quote looks mad, wait 5–10 minutes or walk to a quieter pickup spot and check again.
- Schedule ahead when you have a flight or a fixed show time. Both apps let you schedule; the locked price and pickup window still depend on the app's current rules, so read the confirmation.
- Group size / XL. Standard cars are usually for up to four. Need more seats or luggage space? Check XL / larger options in the app before you request.
- Child seats. US rules and driver policies vary. Don't assume a rideshare car has a child seat. Bring your own if you need one, or use a hire car / shuttle that can provide one. Check the app's local options.
- Safety checks. Match the number plate, car model and driver photo in the app before you get in. Share your trip with someone if you're solo.
- Tipping. In the US, tipping rideshare drivers in the app is normal after the ride (alongside any in-app rating). Typical restaurant tipping guidance from Florida's tourism site is 15–20% VISIT FLORIDA; for rideshare, tip what you're comfortable with in the app after you see the fare.
- Data / eSIM. You'll need mobile data for the apps. A UK roaming pack or a cheap US eSIM before you land is worth it so you can request a ride at MCO without hunting for Wi‑Fi. Download Uber and Lyft (and Waymo, if you'll try it) on hotel Wi‑Fi the night before if need be.
Orlando airport (MCO) pickup & drop-off
Official airport rules for ride-share companies (Uber, Lyft and others) FlyMCO ride-share:
- Drop-off: Terminal A or B Departures curb (Level 3); Terminal C Departures curb (Level 2).
- Pick-up: Terminal A or B Arrivals curb (Level 2) 24 hours a day; also Departures curb (Level 3) between 9pm and 2am. Terminal C Arrivals curb (Level 6).
Always follow the in-app pin and airport signs on the day — layouts change. Request the ride only when you're at the curb with your bags, not while you're still at baggage reclaim.
Theme parks & resorts
Disney, Universal and SeaWorld each have designated rideshare pickup and drop-off areas (often in a car park or specific curb). The apps usually suggest the right spot once you set the destination. Follow park signs and staff; don't stop in guest drop-off lanes meant for hotel buses if you're asked to use the rideshare zone instead.
Cheap ways to the parks without a hire car: compare Uber and Lyft quotes, and check whether Waymo covers your hotel and park pin in the app (we used it I-Drive → Universal on 19 Oct 2026; SeaWorld is in the zone too). Hotel shuttles and the I-RIDE Trolley (for I-Drive stays) can be cheaper still when they line up with your day.
Waymo in Orlando (robotaxi)
Waymo is Google's driverless ride-hailing service — the white Jaguar with the spinning roof sensors. Pure theatre to ride in. Here's what's verified as of 19 Oct 2026, plus our own trip the same day.
Is it live to the public?
Yes. Waymo opened Orlando to invited riders on 24 Feb 2026, then opened to everyone (residents and visitors) on 15 Apr 2026. Download the Waymo app and request a ride — no waitlist for public access now. Waymo blog, 24 Feb 2026 Waymo blog, 15 Apr 2026 Orlando is listed under "Serving Riders In" on Waymo's ride page and on the Service areas help page waymo.com/ride Service areas.
How to book
Use the Waymo app (App Store / Google Play). Orlando is not one of the cities where Waymo rides are booked only via Uber — that Uber partnership currently applies to Austin and Atlanta Service areas Waymo on Uber.
Service area
Waymo's April 2026 Florida post says Orlando service connects Parramore with the city's major corridors, and names neighbourhoods including Richmond Heights, Williamsburg, Florida Center and Southwest Orlando. It also talks about "current and future service areas", so the zone keeps changing. Waymo blog, 15 Apr 2026 A fresh check of that post and Waymo's Orlando news on 19 Oct 2026 still found no official public map naming I-Drive, Universal or SeaWorld by name — so always check the app map for your exact pickup and drop-off.
Tried and tested (19 Oct 2026): We rode Waymo from the Rosen hotel at Pointe Orlando on International Drive to Universal. It also serves SeaWorld. First-hand ride on the day this note was added — not an official Waymo route list.
Airport & highways
Waymo's Airport service help page lists several airports (for example Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, Nashville) — Orlando (MCO) is not on that list as of our check. Airport service. Highway/freeway trips are described as limited and city-dependent; the April Florida post highlights highway rollout for Miami, not Orlando. Freeway routes Waymo blog.
Hours & fares
In cities where Waymo operates, the service is described as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (subject to safety or operational pauses). Service areas FAQs. Fares depend on distance, time and demand; you get an estimate in the app before you book. We're not inventing sample fares — check the app for your trip. Trip pricing.
Tipping
There's no human driver. Waymo's payment and trip-pricing help pages explain app fares, payment methods and estimates; they don't document a driver tip. We couldn't find an official "tip your Waymo" control in those pages — so don't budget a tip the way you would for Uber/Lyft unless the app itself offers one on your trip. Payment Trip pricing.
Waymo facts last checked 19 Oct 2026 against waymo.com blog posts, waymo.com/ride and support.google.com/waymo. Official posts still don't publish a pin-by-pin park map; our I-Drive → Universal ride (and SeaWorld coverage) is first-hand the same day. The zone keeps changing — always trust the app map.
Last checked: 19 Oct 2026