MCO Rental Car Guide: Orlando International Airport
Renting a car at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Orlando, Florida. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at MCO that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at MCO
Rental cars are inside the terminal building, level 1, accessible directly from baggage claim — fastest pickup of any major US airport.
Pickup is on Level 1 of either Terminal A or B — match your airline. The rental counters are 30 seconds from baggage claim.
MCO pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $50-$70 economy, $90-$130 SUV (cheapest of major Florida airports).
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 11%, no customer facility charge, FL state tax 6.5% + Orange County tourist tax 6.5%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at MCO actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at MCO
MCO hosts 11 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Fox
- Payless
Best for premium service: Alamo (massive fleet, leisure-focused)
Cheapest base rates: Sixt and Fox often have promotional rates 20% below the big three
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
MCO-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
MCO has so many on-airport brands competing that off-airport rarely beats on-airport prices. Skip the shuttle hassle.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Most off-airport options near MCO are not worth the time given how cheap on-airport rates are.
How to save the most at MCO
- Compare across all 11 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at MCO.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at MCO?
Rental cars are inside the terminal building, level 1, accessible directly from baggage claim — fastest pickup of any major US airport. Pickup is on Level 1 of either Terminal A or B — match your airline. The rental counters are 30 seconds from baggage claim.
What is the average rental car price at MCO?
$50-$70 economy, $90-$130 SUV (cheapest of major Florida airports). Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at MCO?
Concession recovery 11%, no customer facility charge, FL state tax 6.5% + Orange County tourist tax 6.5%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at MCO?
For premium fleet and reliability: Alamo (massive fleet, leisure-focused). For cheapest base rates: Sixt and Fox often have promotional rates 20% below the big three. Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from MCO?
MCO has so many on-airport brands competing that off-airport rarely beats on-airport prices. Skip the shuttle hassle. Specifically: Most off-airport options near MCO are not worth the time given how cheap on-airport rates are.
Are there any quirks to renting at MCO?
MCO has zero customer facility charge — one of the few major airports without one. Combined with brand competition, this makes it the cheapest major US airport for rentals.