Universal Hotels: Airport Shuttle Service, Yes Or No?

Universal Orlando offers a shuttle service for its guests, known as Universal's SuperStar Shuttle. This service provides round-trip ground transportation from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Universal Orlando Resort hotels. The shuttle can accommodate up to 25 passengers and may make stops at other Universal hotels en route to your destination hotel. The cost for this service is $39 for adults and $36 for children aged 3-9, with children under 2 travelling for free. The length of the transfer is approximately 30 minutes each way.

Shuttle services from Orlando Airport to Universal Hotels

There are several shuttle services that operate between Orlando Airport and Universal Hotels.

The SuperStar Shuttle

The SuperStar Shuttle is the official Universal Orlando transportation service. It is a motorcoach with seatbelts, so if you are travelling with a young child, you can bring a car seat. The shuttle picks up guests from the Ground Transportation level of the airport and takes around 30 minutes on a low-traffic day, but usually around 45 minutes. The cost is $39 per adult and $29 per child for a round trip, or $23 per adult and $18 per child for a one-way trip. The service must be added to a Universal Orlando vacation package. The shuttle serves the following hotels:

• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn & Suites
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Mears Transportation

Mears Transportation is another shuttle service that operates between Orlando Airport and Universal Hotels. It is a shared shuttle service that collects passengers until it fills a van or bus. It costs $20 one-way for adults and $15 for children, or $32 for adults and $24 for children return. Mears also offers a taxi service to Universal Hotels, which costs around $45-$50 from the airport.

Public Transport

It is also possible to take public transport from Orlando Airport to Universal Hotels. This involves taking bus 111 from the airport to the Florida Mall, and then getting bus 37 to Universal's "garage". This journey takes around an hour and 15 minutes, and costs $2.

Taxi services from Orlando Airport to Universal Hotels

There are several taxi services that can take you from Orlando Airport to Universal Hotels.

Mears Transportation Group

Mears Transportation Group has a near-monopoly on taxi services in central Florida and operates multiple brands with identical rates. They offer transport from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World Resort area hotels. Their standard service round trip costs $32 per adult and $27 per child. With multiple stops, this service will bring your party and luggage to your hotel for check-in, as well as assist in your return to MCO when your visit has concluded. Mears also offers an express service that ensures your party will be the first stop, at a higher cost of $250 for four adults round-trip.

Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft are also available throughout the Orlando area and are easy to use once you’ve downloaded their respective apps. This option will also guarantee that you don’t have to worry about tolls or navigating the sometimes busy roads. The cost of an Uber or Lyft ride from MCO to Universal Hotels is typically around $25-$30.

Tiffany Towncar

Tiffany Towncar has been highly recommended by some travellers.

Mears Taxi App

You can download the Mears Taxi app to estimate the cost of your trip, but it is reportedly buggy, so don’t rely on it to hail your ride.

Cheapest travel options to Universal Studios

Universal Studios is an exciting and fun-filled holiday destination, but it can be expensive. Here are some tips to help you save money on your trip.

Book in Advance

Booking your trip as early as possible is a great way to save money. Availability for Universal Orlando is usually released in June of the previous year, so you can lock in the lowest rates. Pricing for hotels and tickets will almost always increase in price as your travel dates approach, especially in the 30-60 days before your trip.

Travel in the Off-Season

The cheapest time to visit Universal Orlando is during the off-season, which is usually early November, late January, February, and August/September. These are times when kids are back in school, and there are no major holidays or events. September is the cheapest month on average, with 18 of the year's 30 cheapest days falling within this month, according to ticket pricing.

Stay at a Value Resort

Staying at one of the Universal Orlando value resorts can help you save money. The Universal Endless Summer Dockside Hotel has rates starting below $100 per night.

Take Advantage of Promotions

Keep an eye out for promotions like "buy 2 days, get 2 days free" deals, which are typically released at the beginning of the year. You can also save money by purchasing multi-day tickets. For example, if you pay for a three-day visit, you can get two more days for free.

Use a Shuttle Service

Shuttle services are a cost-effective way to get to and from the airport. Mears Transportation Group offers a shared shuttle service with a one-way adult fare of $20 and a round-trip fare of $32. SuperShuttle also offers a flat rate of $18 per person each way for a shared van.

Use Public Transport

If you don't mind a longer journey, you can use public transport to get to Universal Studios for a low price. From Orlando International Airport, you can take bus 111 to the Florida Mall and then transfer to bus 37, which will take you to Universal's "garage." The total cost for this trip is only $2.

Save on Food and Souvenirs

Bringing your own snacks and buying souvenirs from dollar stores can help you save money. Universal allows outside food as long as it's not in a cooler larger than 8x6x6 inches. You can also get groceries delivered to your hotel using apps like Instacart.

Free Parking After 6 PM

If you plan to drive, parking is free after 6 PM, which can significantly reduce your parking costs.

Look for Discounts

If you're a Florida or California resident, you may be eligible for discounted tickets to Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood, respectively. AAA members can also purchase discounted tickets for both locations.

Buy Tickets Online

It is always cheaper to buy your tickets online, even if you buy them directly from Universal. You can save up to $10 per ticket by purchasing in advance.

Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card

Using a travel rewards credit card can help you earn points or miles that can be redeemed for travel purchases, including Universal Studios tickets. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can provide significant savings.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the cost of your trip to Universal Studios and make your vacation more enjoyable and affordable.

Travel options for groups to Universal Hotels

There are several travel options for groups travelling to Universal Hotels. Here is some information that might be useful for your trip:

Shuttle Services

Shuttle services are a convenient and cost-effective option for groups travelling to Universal Hotels. The Mears Transportation Group offers shared shuttle services with per-person rates. A one-way adult fare is $20, and children under three ride for free. Round-trip fares are also available at a discounted rate. SuperShuttle is another option, offering shared vans from the airport to Universal for a flat fee of $18 per person each way.

Taxi Services

If you prefer a more direct option, taxi services are readily available. Mears Transportation Group also operates multiple taxi brands, including Yellow Cab Company, Checker Cab Company, and City Cab Company, with identical rates. The fare from Orlando International Airport to a Universal Hotel will typically range from $45 to $50, plus a tip. Taxis can accommodate four to eight passengers, depending on the vehicle type.

Ride-Share Services

Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft offer a convenient and often cost-effective alternative to traditional taxis. These services are widely used in Orlando and can be a great option for groups, as they typically accommodate up to four passengers.

Public Transportation

For those on a budget, public transportation is the cheapest option. The LYNX bus service offers a $2 fare and can get you to Universal's Parking Garage, from where you can take a complimentary shuttle to your hotel. Keep in mind that this option may involve multiple bus transfers and could be time-consuming.

Rental Cars

If you prefer more flexibility and privacy, renting a car is an option. Short- and long-term rentals are available, and you can drop off the vehicle at certain hotels or subsidiary locations in the Universal area if you don't need it for your entire stay. However, keep in mind that toll roads are common in the area, so be prepared to pay tolls.

Walking

Depending on your group's proximity to Universal Hotels, walking could be an option. Some nearby off-site hotels are within walking distance of Universal's attractions. However, this may not be the most convenient option for larger groups or those with mobility concerns.

Travel options for families with young children to Universal Hotels

There are several travel options for families with young children to get to Universal Hotels in Orlando, Florida.

By Car

If you are driving to Universal Orlando, the resort is located within the city limits, a short distance from Interstate 4 (I-4) and Florida's Turnpike. There are several entrances to the resort depending on which direction you are travelling in. From eastbound I-4, take Exit 75A and turn left at the top of the ramp onto Universal Boulevard. From westbound I-4, take Exit 74B and then turn right on Hollywood Way. There are also entrances from Kirkman Road (Exit 75B) to the east, Turkey Lake Road to the west, and Vineland Road to the north.

By Plane

If you are arriving at Orlando International Airport (MCO), you can take a shuttle, taxi, town car, ride share, or bus to get to Universal Hotels.

Shuttle services are provided by Mears Transportation Group and SuperShuttle. Mears charges per-person rates, with children under 3 riding free. A one-way adult fare is $20, and a round trip is $32 for adults. SuperShuttle offers a flat rate of $18 per person each way.

Taxis are also available from the Mears Transportation Group, with taxis carrying four to eight passengers. Fares from Orlando International Airport to Universal Hotels range from $45-$50, plus tip.

For a more luxurious option, town car services are also available. These offer a similar service to taxis but in a nicer car, such as a Lincoln Town Car.

Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are also available in Orlando and are a good combination of cost and convenience.

Finally, the cheapest option is to take the bus. You can take the LYNX bus for $2 each. From the airport, take bus 111 from the A side of the airport, ground transportation level. Get off at the Florida Mall, and then take bus 37 to Universal's "garage".

Staying at a Universal Hotel

If you are staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, there are several perks available to you, including early park admission, bus transportation, and more. Some of the hotels are also within walking distance of the parks.

Frequently asked questions