Cheapest way to get from Orlando to Port?

[puzzledprincess]

I know that this has been asked before but with prices changing, figured it would be a good idea to ask again: what is the cheapest way for 2 adults to get from Orlando to Port Canaveral (and back at the end of the cruise?) We have a car, so we could drive, but hoping there is an option cheaper than $17 per day for parking at the port. Last cruise this past summer we did Lots of Honor, which was a pretty good price, but pretty far (we had to wait a while for the shuttle because the bridge went up.) Does anyone else have parking recommendations or recommendations for some sort of shuttle/taxi like service from Orlando? Thanks!

 

[Quellman]

Well the cheapest way is to have a friend drive you, or walk, or maybe ride a bike. But that would take a long time and is not exactly practical......

Driving yourself is likely the cheapest option. A couple of tolls and the parking fee. Private car hires will cost you more and there are taxi calculators out there to give you an estimate ( you can do the same with the uber/lyft apps). There are a number of off site parking lots near the port if you were displeased with Lots of Honor (though the bridge is not their fault). Just another reason for me why we like parking at the cruise terminal - the convenience of having my car there where I can just get off and go. Other people find convenience with a sleep and cruise package from one of the nearby hotels. You could arrive a day early and enjoy the beach and some of the local dining in an effort to jump start your vacation. (Just know that depending on the length of your cruise, you could spend $100 on the hotel room for the night).

 

[puzzledprincess]

Well the cheapest way is to have a friend drive you, or walk, or maybe ride a bike. But that would take a long time and is not exactly practical......

Driving yourself is likely the cheapest option. A couple of tolls and the parking fee. Private car hires will cost you more and there are taxi calculators out there to give you an estimate ( you can do the same with the uber/lyft apps). There are a number of off site parking lots near the port if you were displeased with Lots of Honor (though the bridge is not their fault). Just another reason for me why we like parking at the cruise terminal - the convenience of having my car there where I can just get off and go. Other people find convenience with a sleep and cruise package from one of the nearby hotels. You could arrive a day early and enjoy the beach and some of the local dining in an effort to jump start your vacation. (Just know that depending on the length of your cruise, you could spend $100 on the hotel room for the night).

Thanks! Yep we are on a 7 night so it adds up quickly. I definitely agree that parking at the port is sooo convenient. We’ve done it in the past and love it. But at $17 per day, trying to save some money (so that I can spend it on the cruise lol.) Maybe we will go with Lots of Honor again and just suck up the wait time.

 

[cruiser21]

Rent a car and drop it off at the car rental agency in Port Canaveral. They car agencies have free shuttles to the port. I usually end up paying around 30.00 dollars for a car, but there is four of us so that is a big savings.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know that this has been asked before but with prices changing, figured it would be a good idea to ask again: what is the cheapest way for 2 adults to get from Orlando to Port Canaveral (and back at the end of the cruise?) We have a car, so we could drive, but hoping there is an option cheaper than $17 per day for parking at the port. Last cruise this past summer we did Lots of Honor, which was a pretty good price, but pretty far (we had to wait a while for the shuttle because the bridge went up.) Does anyone else have parking recommendations or recommendations for some sort of shuttle/taxi like service from Orlando? Thanks!

Well, there's always the option of heading for the DCL bus at MCO and using them ($35 per person each way). At $17 a day for a 7 night cruise you're looking at $119 for parking, the DCL bus would cost you $140. A bit more, but could work for you.

 

[MM123]

Found this one; 7 nights for 40 USD. Don't know anything about it.
https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/cruise-parking.php

 

[puzzledprincess]

Found this one; 7 nights for 40 USD. Don't know anything about it.
https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/cruise-parking.php

Wow! That sounds like a really good deal! I wonder if it is reputable..,

 

[puzzledprincess]

Rent a car and drop it off at the car rental agency in Port Canaveral. They car agencies have free shuttles to the port. I usually end up paying around 30.00 dollars for a car, but there is four of us so that is a big savings.

That sounds like a good option. Is there a certain company you use to get a good price? I checked a couple of weeks ago and it was in the $80 range...

 

[BarrettPartyof5]

Do you have to book in advance to use the Cruise terminal? We sail in March and are first timers. I have three young children and my parents coming along so I'm thinking this will be the most convenient (though most expensive) option.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do you have to book in advance to use the Cruise terminal? We sail in March and are first timers. I have three young children and my parents coming along so I'm thinking this will be the most convenient (though most expensive) option.

No, they recently changed that. You used to be able to book/pay in advance. Now you pay at the port, when you park. Not sure whether you pay on entry or exit, though.

 

[cruiser21]

That sounds like a good option. Is there a certain company you use to get a good price? I checked a couple of weeks ago and it was in the $80 range...

You need to keep checking prices drop as it gets closer. I usually find the best rates about 3 to 4 weeks out. I always book car rentals through Costco.

 

[puzzledprincess]

You need to keep checking prices drop as it gets closer. I usually find the best rates about 3 to 4 weeks out. I always book car rentals through Costco.

Costco! What a good idea. I have a Costco membership so I will definitely check. Leaving on the 16, so I think I’m in that window

 

[Billinaz]

Even many more codes on flyertalk. I have been getting a full size car from Avis one way for about $40 each way. There is no reason to rent a car for a week and pay for the days you are not using it. There is a shuttle to/from the avis location in cape canaveral. Dont forget if you rent a car from the airport, you are paying all the airport fees every single day.

 

[Capt_BJ]

there are two off site parking place in the shadow of the ships, much closer than Lots of Honor .... both tend to be around $10 a day (online in advance) but their prices change frequently

Park n Cruise https://parkcruise.com/ is at the last exit off 528 before the port exits
Park Port Canaveral http://www.parkportcanaveral.com is just past the port exits, across the street from the Radisson

both have been around for quite some time and the biggest difference is PnC is a gravel lot while PPC is paved; but PnC had shaded waiting area (until IRMA zapped it but they are rebuilding) and PPC had none. I used PnC earlier this month for an OASIS trip ... have used them for many years now with no issues/complaints. I've friends who use PPC with same opinion. To locals it is sometime a simple matter of which side you arrive to the port from ....

{but I would not generally be recommending to pay for parking a rental}

btw, as mentioned the port has done away with pre-pay parking in their garages/lots but for the record this was never a 'reservation'. One of the port's big complaints is how the off site parking places steal parking dollars from the port; they feel they have too many open spaces. I've not heard of a port lot being full in the 10 years I've been living here. I've seen PPC and PnC full to capacity (and overflow ....)

 

[puzzledprincess]

Found this one; 7 nights for 40 USD. Don't know anything about it.
https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/cruise-parking.php

Thank you for finding this for me! We went ahead and booked it. Definitely is the best deal we could find!

 

[puzzledprincess]

Found this one; 7 nights for 40 USD. Don't know anything about it.
https://www.goportcanaveral.com/services/cruise-parking.php

Just wanted to let you know that I did this!! For my December 16 cruise out of Port Canaveral. It was 7 nights and the parking only cost us $40!! It was a great deal. We saved so much money. The lot is a parking lot next to the Double Tree hotel on AIA. The shuttle takes you and your bags to the ship and back. The only downside is that it involves some waiting. This is not the best for people who are in a hurry or have a plane to catch. I was driving to and from Orlando though and it was perfect for us. Plus we got to put all of that money we saved to things we enjoyed on the ship (helllloooo Palo and Remy!) Thanks so much for finding this!! Everyone let me know if you have questions about it.