ORLANDO, Fla. – Getting a parking spot at Orlando International Airport can be a trip in itself.
The airport has more than a dozen lots and garages to park in, but finding one that’s open, especially when it’s busy, can require a bit of time and energy.
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News 6′s Erick Von Ancken, who frequently reports on traffic and parking issues at the airport, offers these tips to make parking easier.
Parking hack #1
There are several offsite places to park that usually have space. Check them out first - or as a last resort. They often offer a variety of parking options, as well as shuttle service to the airport. Search South Semoran Boulevard, Narcoossee Road and Frontage Road, or Google “Orlando International Airport offsite parking.”
Parking hack #2
If you want to park on airport property, the bigger the holiday, the trickier it is. So check MCO’s website before you leave your house!
MCO has a parking section on its website that’s always updated, so you’ll know which parking lots are open, which ones are full and how much they all cost. And there’s a detailed map showing where all the lots are so you’ll know exactly where to go.
On Monday afternoon, the parking website showed most parking areas were open except the Terminal C parking garage and the North Park Place Economy Lot.
Parking hack #3
Don’t forget about the new spots! MCO has added 2,000 more spaces over the past year, including several hundred across from the train station connected to the new Terminal C. There are three new surface lots there that most travelers don’t even think about checking. But you’ll need a SunPass or E-PASS to get in or out.
Parking hack #4
If you can afford it, reserve it. You can make a reservation for parking in the Terminal C garage on the fourth floor to guarantee your space. Click here.
Reserved parking is $8 more per day - $32 instead of $24 in the garages.
Parking hack #5
This is a win-win for everyone, but everyone needs to do it for it to work. There are two free cellphone waiting lots at the airport - a North and a South. The map on the MCO website shows where they are. Parking - Orlando International Airport (MCO) (orlandoairports.net)
One reason traffic is often terrible leading up to the terminals on busy days is that drivers keep circling the terminals even when their passengers aren’t ready to be picked up.
So until your passenger is at the curb ready for pickup, wait in the cell phone lots to thin out some of the traffic.
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