The cheapest way from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Port Canaveral is a shared shuttle, at $19.99 per person each way with Happy Limousine. A private car costs more but leaves when you want and goes straight to your cruise terminal. Rideshare sits in between, but the price moves with demand and cruise luggage often does not fit. Port Canaveral is about 45 miles east of the airport, and the drive takes 60–75 minutes.
Here is how the three options compare, and how to pick the right one for your sailing.
Option 1: The shared shuttle ($19.99 per person)
Our Port Canaveral shuttle picks up at Orlando International Airport (MCO), or at hotels within 5 miles of MCO, and drops you at your Port Canaveral cruise terminal. It serves every cruise line at the port, including Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.
- Price: $19.99 per person, one way. No gratuity, port fees or fuel surcharge are added. A driver tip of $3–$5 per person is suggested.
- From MCO to the port: 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM.
- From the port back to MCO: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
- Cancellation: full refund if you cancel at least 2 days before pickup.
Go Port, the best-known operator on this route, charges $29.99 per person from MCO, so a family of four saves $40 each way with us, or $80 on the round trip.
What to know before you book: the shuttle runs on a fixed schedule. It cannot wait for delayed flights, and pickup times are estimates that can change. Child seats are not provided on the shuttle, though you are welcome to bring your own.
Best for: couples and families travelling reasonably light, who land early enough to make one of the three departures comfortably.
Option 2: A private car, SUV, van or bus
A private transfer to Port Canaveral is your own vehicle, on your own schedule, with no other passengers. Your chauffeur meets you in the baggage claim area on Level 2 at Orlando International Airport, holding a sign with Happy Limousine and your name, and drives straight to your cruise terminal.
- Timing: you choose the pickup time, so you are not tied to the shuttle schedule.
- Waiting: airport pickups include 45 minutes of free waiting after your flight lands.
- Child seats: available at $15 per seat, per leg, if you request them when you book.
- Room for luggage: we match the vehicle to your party size and number of cases, from SUVs and minivans to 10–14 passenger vans, minibuses and 56-passenger motor coaches.
Private transfers are priced by vehicle rather than per person. You can see the vehicles on our rates and fleet page.
Best for: families with small children, anyone checking several large cases, groups, and arrivals that do not line up with the shuttle departures.
Option 3: Uber or Lyft
Rideshare can work for one or two people with light bags. The fare is set by the app at the moment you book and rises with demand, which is usually high on busy sailing mornings, so it is hard to budget in advance. A standard car also struggles with cruise luggage: four adults with four large cases and their carry-ons need more room than a sedan offers.
Best for: solo travellers or couples with carry-on sized bags who are comfortable with a variable price.
Side by side
| Shared shuttle | Private transfer | Rideshare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 per person, one way | Priced by vehicle | Set by the app; changes with demand |
| Schedule | 3 fixed departures from MCO | Your choice | On demand |
| Waits for a delayed flight | No | Yes, 45 minutes free after landing | No |
| Child seats | Bring your own | $15 per seat, per leg | Varies |
| Luggage | Standard cruise luggage | Vehicle sized to your bags | Limited in a standard car |
How to choose
- Check your flight time against the shuttle. If you land with plenty of time to collect your bags before a 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM or 12:30 PM departure, the shuttle is the best value.
- Check your ship’s all-aboard time. It is printed in your cruise documents and varies by line. Allow 60–75 minutes for the drive.
- Count your bags and your children. If you need child seats or have more luggage than people, book a private vehicle.
- Book ahead. Sailing days are busy, so reserve your ride as soon as your flights are set.
Ready to book? Reserve online or call us at 407-856-1280. For more answers, see our shuttle FAQ.