Renting a Car at Orlando International Airport (MCO): The Complete Guide
A transparent guide to what a rental car at Orlando airport really costs in 2026 — every mandatory fee explained, how pickup and return work at the Rental Car Center, and how to save versus the traditional rental companies.
Updated July 2026
Average prices by category at MCO (2026)
| Category | Average price/day | GS Car Rental (from) |
|---|---|---|
| Compact / Sedan | $35 – $50 | $49 (with SunPass + CDW) |
| SUV (Mid/Full-size) | $50 – $80 | $59 |
| Minivan (7 seats) | $60 – $100 | $59 |
Base rates fluctuate with season and demand — peak weeks around the Orlando theme parks push prices to the top of each range. The figures above are typical daily rates before mandatory airport fees and taxes.
Mandatory fees at Orlando airport, explained
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customer Facility Charge | $2.50 – $12.50 / day |
| Airport Access (Concession) Fee | ~10% of the total |
| Florida Sales Tax | 6.5% |
| Road / vehicle license recovery | ~$2 / day |
| Tire & battery disposal fee | $0.20 / day |
| Additional driver | up to $15 / day |
| Young driver (ages 21 – 24) | $15 – $35 / day |
These charges are set by the airport authority and the State of Florida — every company renting at MCO has to collect them. What actually varies between companies is how clearly the fees show up in your quote, and whether the advertised "from $XX/day" price quietly excludes them.
MCO pickup & return: terminals and the Rental Car Center
Orlando International is split between Terminal A and Terminal B (Terminal C is the newer international terminal). All on-airport rental companies are consolidated into a single Rental Car Center on Level 1 of the parking garages, connected directly to the terminal — you do not take a shuttle to an off-site lot for the major on-airport brands.
Picking up
After baggage claim, follow signs for "Ground Transportation / Rental Cars" down to Level 1. If you're arriving into Terminal C, the train connects you to the main terminal complex. Have your driver's license, passport, and credit card ready.
Returning the car
Follow the "Rental Car Return" signs as you approach MCO — return is in the same garage as pickup, so you can walk straight to your gate. Refuel beforehand to avoid steep airport refueling charges, and budget extra time during peak departure hours.
GS Car Rental delivers and collects your vehicle at the airport, so you skip the rental counter lines and head straight to your accommodation or the parks.
Tolls in Florida: SunPass vs PlatePass
Many of the fastest routes around Orlando — including SR 417, SR 408, and the road out of MCO itself — are toll roads. Florida is moving fully cashless, so there are no booths to pay an attendant. You'll pay tolls one of two ways:
SunPass (recommended)
Florida's prepaid transponder, billed at the lower SunPass toll rate. The transponder itself runs about $15 at pharmacies and supermarkets — but you only pay the actual tolls you drive through.
✅ Already included in every GS Car Rental vehicle.
PlatePass / Toll programs
The big rental brands (Hertz, Alamo, Budget) use camera-based toll programs: a camera reads your plate and bills the full toll plus a per-day or per-toll administrative fee on top.
❌ Those daily admin fees can double your toll cost on a longer trip.
How to save versus traditional rental companies
- Compare the full out-the-door price, not the advertised "from $XX/day" — fees and taxes can add 25% or more at the counter.
- Confirm what's bundled: with GS Car Rental, SunPass tolls and CDW coverage are included up front instead of being upsold at pickup.
- Decline duplicate insurance you already have, and bring your own GPS or use your phone.
- Return the car with a full tank to avoid airport refueling surcharges.
- Lock in your rate early — Orlando prices climb sharply during holidays and school breaks.
What you'll need to rent
- A valid driver's license
- A government-issued photo ID or passport
- A credit card in the main driver's name
- International visitors: your home-country license plus passport (an International Driving Permit is recommended)
Frequently Asked Questions
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SunPass tolls included, CDW coverage with no deductible, and airport delivery at MCO. Get a free quote in minutes.
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