How Early to Get to Orlando Airport

Flying from Orlando International Airport? The City Beautiful, the land of theme parks, has millions visiting every day. Given the constant influx of tourists, the journey to MCO can often be quite tedious, with roads heavy with traffic, bustling terminals, and, not to mention, those notoriously long security lines. So, if you haven’t yet considered how early you’ll have to reach MCO Airport, it’s high time you did! Whether you’re departing from Orlando or returning after your visit, knowing the ins and outs will save you a lot of stress and even prevent you from missing your flight. This brief will give you all the details pertaining to how early to get to Orlando Airport and why it makes all the difference. 

How Early Should I Get to Orlando Airport?  

Orlando is a city loved for its numerous theme parks and conventions. So naturally, Orlando International Airport is always teeming with excited people flying in and out after visiting the theme parks. You must be prepared for the delays at the security check. Hence, the earlier you reach the airport, the better. 

Why Is It Crucial to Get to MCO Early?    

Besides being the busiest, it is also one of the largest airports, which means security checks and navigating the terminals will take time. So, yes, it is very important to arrive at the airport early if you want to avoid the stress of rushing through crowds, potentially missing your flight, or arriving just as the gate is closing.

Keeping a buffer time will give you enough time to check in, go through the security process, and find the boarding gate without sweating! Here are a few reasons why you should get to the airport early.

Traffic Delays 

Traffic around MCO Airport can be quite a nightmare, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Traffic on Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike leading to the MCO airport can be appalling. Don’t get me started on holidays and special events!  

Traffic, especially around Christmas, can be terrible. Sometimes the airport traffic during these holidays can be backed up by a mile, and you may have to wait more than 45 minutes just to get to the terminal. So, always keep that in mind. 

Tip: It is better to use navigation apps (Waze, Apple Maps, or Google Maps) to find the duration it will take; however, keep a little more than 45 minutes as a buffer time.   

Passenger Traffic at MCO 

Orlando Airport is the busiest airport in Florida and also the 9th busiest airport in the country, with 57 million annual passengers. So, it’s not surprising that it would be crowded, especially during holidays, park events, and conventions. 

Parking at MCO 

If you are still reading, you must have realized by now that parking at Orlando Airport cannot be taken lightly. The airport has plenty of parking spaces, but given the number of daily passengers, it can be inadequate (not to mention expensive!). Even if you arrive earlier than expected, you might still end up circling around to find a spot.   

Whether you plan on arriving early or not, it is always safer to pre-book parking near MCO Airport. There are several offsite parking lots close to the airport that offer safe and reliable parking spots at the cheapest rate.

Booking an offsite parking lot can save you up to 60% on your parking budget. In addition to saving money, most of these offsite lots offer free shuttle rides to and from the airport. All you have to do is get to the lot on time, and they will take you to the airport. No last-minute driving stress for you.  

Navigating the Terminals

Being a large airport, navigating can be time-consuming. Orlando Airport has three terminals. Terminals A and B are in the same main terminal building. You can move around these terminals easily from Level 3. Terminal C, or the South Terminal Complex, however, is separate from Terminals A and B and is not accessible directly from the main building. 

From Terminal C to the main building terminals, A and B, passengers can take a Terminal Link from the train station, which is near the Terminal C parking garage (a short walk). The Terminal Link runs 24 hours.  

Another option is taking the free shuttle from Terminal C, Level 1, at the Ground Transportation area (walk toward Space C272). The shuttle will drop you at Level 1, Ground Transportation area (Space B16). Shuttle service is also available 24/7. 

Navigating the airport is not very easy, so consider having extra time for that. If you have purchases to make, consider extra time for that too. 

Check-in Times 

Check-in and baggage drop-off timings vary with the airlines. Many airlines have strict timings. Check-in counters are usually open 3 to 4 hours before the flight schedule. If you are late, you may be denied from flying with them. 

Peak Travel Times 

If you are traveling during holidays and peak seasons, the check-in, baggage drop-off, and security processes at MCO can take longer than you think. This makes it essential to arrive earlier than on normal days. 

Security Screening Process 

On a regular day, the screening process at MCO can take about 20 to 30 minutes. Obviously, screening time during the holiday season is very unpredictable and will take more than 40 minutes to an hour. 

International Travel 

Make sure to reach the airport earlier than you would while flying internationally. Unlike domestic travel, international travel requires additional time for check-ins, passport verification, and customs and immigration processes.   

Reaching the Boarding Gates 

Reaching your boarding gates after the security check will also take time. You can use the People Mover to reach your gates. You must reach the gates at least 45 minutes before boarding. The boarding process will take about 30 minutes.

In case you plan to eat, first find your boarding gate before heading out to the restaurant. It’s safer to pick the restaurant based on the gate from which you’ll be boarding the flight. 

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How Busy Is MCO? 

Orlando Airport is the busiest airport in Florida and the 9th busiest in the country, with 57 million annual passengers. The peak hours at MCO are mornings, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., and evenings, between 4 pm and 7 pm. These are the times when the maximum number of flights operate from MCO.

If you want to avoid long wait times, fly during off-peak hours. Off-peak hours are cheaper too. 

Weekends will be busier than weekdays, and MCO during holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day will be chaotic.  

How Early Should I Get to MCO for a Domestic Flight? 

We recommend that you check in at least 2 hours before your scheduled flight departure. For first-timers, we suggest arriving an extra 30 minutes earlier. This would give them enough time to familiarize themselves with the terminal a bit. 

How Early Should I Get to MCO for an International Flight? 

The MCO Airport recommends arriving at least three hours before your international flight time. But I find that it is better to check in at least 3.5 hours before the flight schedule. International travel requires additional time for check-ins, passport verification, and customs and immigration processes. MCO during holidays is chaos. Consider extra time. 

If you are driving down, you definitely have to consider parking time. It would be safer if you could arrive 4 hours in advance. This would give you time to find a parking spot, park, and reach the terminal without stress. 

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TSA Wait Time at MCO  

TSA security can be a long wait. Even on a regular day, the wait time can take about 30 minutes. And the holiday season? It’s really a long wait; it might take up to 45 minutes to 1 hour. So, take this into consideration and arrive accordingly.  

MCO has introduced the MCO Reserve service by CLEAR, which allows you to reserve a slot to go through TSA Screening without standing in the long queue. The service is free, but only a few slots are available, so book in advance. You can book 7 days in advance; reservations are open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Go to flymco.com and book a suitable time slot. But make sure you are on time at the airport. This service is available in all three MCO Terminals. 

You can also enroll in programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR for a speedy security process. 

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How to Manage Unexpected Delays 

However well planned you are, things don’t always go as you plan; you might still get delayed. Here are a few suggestions to tackle the issue. 

Flight delays: Totally not your fault! But do turn on the notifications from the airline. Downloading the MCO App would be a great idea. 

Missed connection flights: This is again one of the common issues. When booking, keep at least 90 minutes between each flight if both are in the same terminal building. However, if you have to reach Terminal C, allow more than a 2-hour gap between flights, just to be on the safe side. 

Wrong Terminal: Orlando Airport is huge and crowded. If you have to fly from Terminal C and you arrive at the main terminal, this would be a real problem. Check and confirm the terminal to avoid any delays.  

Traffic: Most delays occur due to traffic congestion. Leave 45 minutes before the planned time, and during peak travel season, go a bit earlier than that. There is no harm in reaching earlier; the MCO is a beautiful airport with a lot to offer and explore. 

Our Tips for a Smooth Flight from MCO   

Flight status: It is always better to check your flight status via the airline’s website. Also, reconfirm the gate number. It might keep changing.   

Download the MCO Orlando App: This app is very handy; besides checking flight delays and departure gates, it also has information about restaurants and shops near each gate and more. 

Reserve parking in advance: Pre-book your parking spot via Global Airport Parking for a safe and guaranteed spot at the lowest rates. Drive stress-free to MCO. 

Be ready for the security check: Ensure you know the regulations for liquids and prohibited items to prevent unnecessary delays at the security checkpoint. Also, get all the documents ready.  

Check the wait times: Check the wait times at security checkpoints using online tools like the MyTSA app or the MCO Orlando App. 

Charge your device: Given the number of daily passengers, it may be difficult to find a free charging outlet. So, make sure your device is completely charged so that you can check flight delays and wait times on your mobile. Also, these days, your mobile often serves as your payment method, and tickets are on your mobile as well. A charged mobile is very important. 

All Your Questions Answered 

How can I avoid the long lines at security checkpoints at MCO Airport?  

To avoid the long lines, it is always advised to arrive earlier than the recommended time, especially during peak travel hours. Enrolling in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can also save you from the long queue. You can also reserve a particular time slot online via MCO Reserve. 

What time should we arrive at Orlando Airport for a 6 a.m. flight? 

It depends on whether you are traveling domestically or internationally. For international flights, you have to arrive no later than 3 a.m., and for domestic flights, no later than 4 a.m. Personally, I would suggest 30 minutes earlier than this timeline. 

Is 2 hours enough for an international flight at Orlando Airport? 

Absolutely not! You may get away with 2 hours for a domestic flight, but for an international one, you must check in at least 3 hours before.

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