Travel tips for Orlando and Central Florida
Everything you need to know before visiting Orlando and the wider region — money, transport, taxes and when to go.
Planning essentials
Visas, budgets, packing, eSIMs and the cultural etiquette worth knowing before you land.
Beyond the parks: fitting day trips into a ticket-driven Orlando stay
How many days do you need in Orlando?
One week in central Florida: a base-in-Orlando itinerary
Planning your first Orlando trip, in the right order
The Orlando booking timeline: what to reserve, and how far ahead
Where to base yourself around Orlando
Getting around
MCO as the main gateway, and why a rental car covers the parks corridor, the Space Coast and the Gulf Coast best.
When to go
A hot, humid summer from June to September and a milder, drier winter from December to February, with the theme parks feeling different every month. Month-by-month guides to what to expect.
Good to know about planning a trip to Orlando
gov. 5% in Osceola County, plus 6% more in tourist development tax on a hotel night. Getting around is where the real planning sits: a rental car suits almost any trip beyond the resort itself, since tolls are common and mostly cashless, billed automatically to the rental company; organised shuttles cover transfers from the airport but rarely connect destinations to each other; and there's no rail link worth relying on beyond the SunRail commuter line, which runs weekdays only and serves none of the parks.
The two realistic ways in are Orlando International Airport (MCO), about twenty-five to forty-five minutes from the parks corridor with direct flights from across the country and overseas, and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), further north with charter and low-cost connections. Weather shapes the trip more than in cooler destinations: summer runs June to September with 32-34°C days, high humidity and a near-daily afternoon thunderstorm, December-February brings 22°C days, cooler nights and the main manatee season, and hurricane season runs June through November, peaking August to October, when parks can close and flights can be cancelled the day before a storm.
Electricity runs on Type A and B plugs at 120V, 60Hz, the emergency number is 911, and the legal drinking age is 21 with identification checked routinely. Tap water is safe and drinks perfectly well straight from the tap. Driving is on the right, and distances on the ground are given here in kilometres with miles noted where they help behind the wheel. Tipping is expected in restaurants, typically 18-20%, plus a dollar or two per bag and a few dollars per night for housekeeping. Bargaining isn't expected anywhere — prices in shops, restaurants and markets are fixed.
Frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Orlando
Do I need a visa to visit Orlando?
Most visitors from visa-waiver countries don't need a visa, but they do need an ESTA approved before departure, requested only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and checked against passport validity for the whole trip. Requirements and exemptions can change, so confirm the current rule for your own passport well ahead of booking.
What currency should I bring, and do I need cash?
The US dollar is the only currency used, and prices are shown before tax, with sales tax and a tourist surtax added at the till. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keeping a little cash on hand helps for tips, parking attendants and smaller roadside stalls.
How do I get around Orlando without a rental car?
A rental car is the easiest option for reaching the parks corridor, Kennedy Space Center or the coasts, since public transit doesn't connect them. Around International Drive and the resort area, the I-Ride Trolley and Lynx buses cover shorter trips, and airport shuttles handle the transfer from MCO or SFB.
When is hurricane season, and will it affect my trip?
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest risk in September, and it can bring park closures or flight disruptions with only a day or two of warning. Outside that window, summer is hot and humid with near-daily afternoon storms, while winter stays dry and mild, roughly 22°C by day.
Is tap water safe to drink, and what plugs do I need?
Tap water across Orlando and Central Florida is safe to drink straight from the tap, including in hotel rooms, so bottled water isn't necessary. Outlets use Type A and B plugs at 120V, so visitors from outside North America will need an adapter, and often a voltage converter for larger appliances.
Trip planning guides for Orlando on GetYourGuide
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