Getting from Miami to Orlando

[Ms.Mouseketeer]

anyone have advice about getting from Miami cruise terminal to Orlando? We are cruising out of Miami for our Disney cruise wedding and would like to spend some time at wdw for our honeymoon.

Have you ever driven from Miami to Orlando? Did you rent a car?

We have the possibility of driving from NJ down to FL but I really don't want to do that.

 

[Accident]

It's like driving to boston from new jersey to give you an idea of distance (3-4 hours). Rent a car is probably the most time effective way of getting between then. amtrak, it takes about double the time, zig zags the state and leaves you about 40-60 minutes away from property and costs more than a rental. you could uber/lyft but that's not really cheap but you could do it.. you can also hire a car, but again not really cost effective.

I'd rent a car.

 

[Capt_BJ]

There ARE flights ..... just about hourly during the day

 

[joelkfla]

If you rent a car, either get a SunPass ahead of time or opt in to the rental company's toll program. Parts of the Turnpike around Miami do not take cash, and some rental companies will hit you with hefty service charges if you don't opt in to their program.

You can order a SunPass by mail from SunPass.com, or find a Publix, CVS, or Walgreens in the Miami area and buy one and activate it before you get on the Turnpike. The portable model costs $20. The $5 model sticks onto the windshield, and can't be removed and placed in a different car. There's also a $10 minimum payment to apply to your tolls account.

This page lists the costs of opting in to the various rental companies programs. Note that Dollar, Thrifty, & Fox have the most outrageous fees, while other companies' programs may be less than or comparable to buying a portable SunPass. If you're renting for just one day, it may be cheaper to use even the most expensive rental company programs, but be sure to opt in if required.

 

[DVC California]

If you don't mind driving, renting a car is the easiest and most cost effective transportation from Miami to WDW. 3 to 4 hours, pretty easy drive.

If not, then just book a flight from MIA to MCO ($79 one-way). Taxi from port to MIA is $24 flat rate or there's Uber/Lyft.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm returning my rental car at FLL tomorrow morning and getting a flight to MCO! I figure it's worth the $65 (plus $25 bag fee) to avoid driving 3 hrs by myself. It's actually cheaper than keeping the car. I imagine Miami has similar options.

 

[Anthony1971]

HMMMMM I would say those who are counting on 3 or even 4 hours have a VERY heavy foot. FLL maybe 4-41/2 from FLL to Miami on good day is 30 minutes but most of the time more.. from Miami I would plan on 5 hours. I drive to west palm on fair number of my Disney vacations to see family -- 10 minutes off the turnpike if that and it takes about 4 hours as in minutes difference no matter how I cut the cake more if we have a lunch stop. You will still need to pick up a car and return a car.... FLY

 

[Ralph&Pam]

HMMMMM I would say those who are counting on 3 or even 4 hours have a VERY heavy foot. FLL maybe 4-41/2 from FLL to Miami on good day is 30 minutes but most of the time more.. from Miami I would plan on 5 hours. I drive to west palm on fair number of my Disney vacations to see family -- 10 minutes off the turnpike if that and it takes about 4 hours as in minutes difference no matter how I cut the cake more if we have a lunch stop. You will still need to pick up a car and return a car.... FLY

Actually, I made this drive two weeks ago and recorded the following timing. Picked up car at MIA National Car Rental right at 9:40 am on Sunday, 15 January (per the rental receipt). Got on I-95 heading north to 528 and 417 with a lunch stop at exit 158 (essentially the exit if you were going to Sebastian). McDonald's receipt shows we got our food at 12:07 pm. Left McDs at 12:30 pm. Drove to WDW exit and went to the Publix on Vineland, across from the outlet mall. Got groceries for our stay and checked out of Publix at 2:25 pm after a leisurely walk through the aisles picking up our food and drink (again per the receipt). Arrived at BoardWalk Villas where our room was ready at 2:39 pm. Total from car rental pick-up to resort room was 4 hours and 59 minutes with about 40 minutes of stops along the way, so allowing 5 hours for the typical drive (at least using I-95, 528, and 417) sounds right on target.