Orlando - on-site vs of-site car rental at MCO

I understand that most of the car rental firms allow you to collect from the terminal at MCO, but a couple still bus you off site.

Can anyone clarify which ones bus you away (so I can avoid them)?

Thanks!

Hertz & Alamo bus you off site.

Avis, L&M, and Budget (plus 1 or 2 others) are right across from baggage claim and a pretty short walk to the cars.

That is almost right. Alamo, National, Budget, Dollar, Avis and L&M are at the terminal. All others require a shuttle.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/rac.htm#on

I'm not 100% certain about Alamo, I was there last weekend, and do not recall seeing them in the garage with the rest of them. They have a desk in the terminal, but I can't recall seeing them in the garage.

However, FWIW - Alamo is probably one of the worst ones out there, so pick
any BUT Alamo.

I've rented from Avis, Budget & National (I forgot about them) and they were all in the garage across from the terminal.

I'm not 100% certain about Alamo, I was there last weekend, and do not recall seeing them in the garage with the rest of them. They have a desk in the terminal, but I can't recall seeing them in the garage.

However, FWIW - Alamo is probably one of the worst ones out there, so pick
any BUT Alamo.

I've rented from Avis, Budget & National (I forgot about them) and they were all in the garage across from the terminal.


Alamo and National are now the same company and both use the same on-site facilities.

I understand that most of the car rental firms allow you to collect from the terminal at MCO, but a couple still bus you off site.

Can anyone clarify which ones bus you away (so I can avoid them)?

Thanks!


Book Dollar Discounted all inclusive rates with the UK consolidator : http://www.airline-network.co.uk/carhire/

Hertz buses you from off site, but they are not that far away. And there is so much business in Orlando that the buses run constantly. You save a little time but not a ton. Then again, I find Hertz kind of expensive so don't use them much anyway. I think Thrifty is around there, too.

The ones to be aware of are the ones on Jetport Drive. They are usually the cheaper ones. If you need cheap try L&M, the others are a lot longer ot get to the terminal.

www.usrentacar.co.uk do good rates too, especially their Budget minivans.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving my flight had weather issues and I ended up needing to rent a car to stay one more night in Orlando. I tried negotiating at the rental car desks, but all the companies held firm on their regular price. I had a family member checking prices online, which were only 5-10% better than the walk-ups. Out of frustration, to save $10-12, I booked Enterprise, figuring off-site wasn't a big deal. WRONG.

It's in another neighborhood altogether. Hertz is right off 436 once you exit MCO. Enterprise is two exits down highway 528 eastbound (toward Cocoa Beach, away from downtown and away from Disney) and then a short drive on a narrow road. Unless time is no factor, I would avoid Enterprise at MCO.

BTW Enterprise's agents were also very pushy about the insurance, as I have experienced many times with Enterprise.

From past experience, I recall Orbitz tells you next to each car rental company name whether they are on-site or off. Same situation in TPA. I assume Orbitz's info is correct.

Unless there was a big difference in price, I always rent "on site" when that means you can walk to your car (as it does at MCO). It's so much easier, more pleasant, more predictable and a significant time saver.

FLL also has a nice on-site garage. The Florida airports charge a ton of money in fees for their garages, but at least they are convenient. For some reason, in the southwest, they built expensive facilities -- with high fees -- that are quite distant from the terminal. At PHX, the ride seems to take almost 10 minutes. Even "tiny" ABQ built their rent-a-car facility away from the terminal. I guess it's supposed to save time when the same bus services all companies, and I suppose it does, but it's so much less convenient than just walking to your car.

There is one cheap one off site with a shuttle (maybe 10-15 minutes) called EZ-Rent, I think. We did that once. They seemed a little confused and were a bit slow, but man, did we ever save some money. On a 10-day trip, it adds up.

If you are picking up at the airport, one advisable thing to do before going to MCO is join the Emerald Club or #1 Club or whatever applies for your rental company. The lines can be brutal. 45 minutes more than once for Budget.

For some reason National never seems to have too huge a line. Mind you, it is still a line, which is more than most other airports have. Alamo usually has a huge line, too.

If you get the emerald club it is is nice and quick - walk across to the garage and choose a car and drive out. No lines. Cars come in and out very, very fast in Orlando, so if you don't see something you like (there is a second emerald isle behind the first most people miss) then wait a few minutes for more cars to come out.

The last few times I've been to MCO, I've rented from L&M. I've gotten pretty new cars with great rates and a no hassle experience.