Is it easy to drive around Orlando?

Orlando is a car city, there's no getting around it – it can be time-consuming, inconvenient or expensive to get where you want to be if you don't have the use of an automobile. But slowly the city is making strides in the area of public transit, adding commuter train SunRail to the long-established Lynx bus system. Private solutions are gaining ground too, in the form of Juice Bike Share, Uber and Lyft, and Zipcar as options to cab company Mears.

Now that we have all these options, sometimes combining two or more is key – find a SunRail connector on the Lynx schedule to fine-tune your destination, or bring your Juice Bike rental onto SunRail with you. Peter Martinez, the founder and program director of Juice Bikes, recommends the Orlando Transit App for your phone – it's like a beefed-up Google Maps with an overlay of SunRail, Lynx/Lymmo buses, Mears, Juice and even Uber maps, schedules and connections.

It seems likely that all of these choices will become more interesting to car-addicted Orlando as the I-4 Ultimate project drags on – construction is estimated to continue through 2020 – and as more and more bike trails are completed and connected to each other.

Lynx | Find maps, routes and schedules for the city's flagship transit system at golynx.com. If you plan to spend more than an hour or two downtown, look into the Lymmo, four free looping lines that circulate throughout most of the 32801 area. (Did we mention it's free? We like free.)

SunRail | Orlando finally got commuter rail, and while it still has issues – there's just the one north-south route, and it only runs Monday-Friday from about 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – still, it's a great first step. And the trains are spiffy as hell. Find stops and schedules at sunrail.com.

Zipcar | The car sharing service has roughly 30 cars in various locations including downtown, Winter Park, UCF, Orlando International Airport and Lake Buena Vista; reserve at zipcar.com.

Juice Bike Share | Reserve a bike, release a bike from the rack, ride it and return it. Rates vary, but you can pay $8 for an hour of one-time use, or $15 a month for an hour of use every day. (Need more time? There's a plan for that.) Go to orlando.socialbicycles.com for all of the details, and get extra style points for matching your outfit to the vibrant orange bike frames. Also, check cityoforlando.net for maps of the Cady Way Trail, Orlando Urban Trail and other bike trails maintained by the city – as well as news of new ones coming online, like the multi-use path planned to run along Bumby Avenue.

Uber and Lyft | We don't need to explain this to you. Note, however, if you are new to Orlando or just visiting: You can Uber to Orlando International Aiport, but you can't get them to pick you up from there (unless you sneakily pick a nearby off-property meeting point, or spring for Uber Black, moneybags).

Mears | You can't hail a cab on the street in Orlando, but you can call Mears or reserve a car at mearstransportation.com. If you aren't the sneaky type (see above), Mears is also your best bet for a ride home from OIA.

How to Visit Orlando Without a Car

Whether you plan on leaving your car in park on September 22 or want a totally car-free Orlando vacation, here are seven ways to get around town.  

1. LYNX Bus System 

The LYNX bus line has kept Orlando in motion since the 1970s. With about 80 routes in Orlando and its suburbs, there is likely a line that will get you where you need to go. 

 LYNX is an excellent option if you’re visiting Orlando on a budget. A one-way trip costs $2 per adult. Discounts are available for youth 7-18 and seniors. Kids 6 and younger ride free. Day and week passes are available.  

See what routes go to top Orlando attractions like the Orange County Convention Center, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando on the LYNX website.  

2. SunRail 

Keep your Orlando trip on track with SunRail.  

The train route runs between Kissimmee and Debary (a town midway between Orlando and Daytona Beach). It stops in fun destinations like downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and Sanford. You can catch the SunRail Monday through Friday between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. One-way tickets start at $2. As with LYNX, kids 6 and under ride free. Discounts are available for youth and seniors.  

If you’re staying on Orlando’s International Drive, your closest SunRail station is on Sand Lake Road, which you can get to via the 111 or 42 LYNX lines.  

3. Neighborhood Circulators 

Downtown Orlando, Kissimmee, and Sanford are all walkable areas.  

But if you need to save time or escape an afternoon rainstorm, the Kissimmee Connector, downtown LYMMO, and Sanford Trolley will get you around town quickly. These shuttles all stop at local attractions, as well as at each area’s SunRail station.  

Best of all, all three are free to ride.   

4. Bike Rentals  

Gear up for World Car-Free Day by renting a bicycle. Bike riding is a fun and healthy way to see Orlando without a car. 

West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades and the Ride Xperience by Regino Bike will each deliver bikes to your hotel or a trailhead of your choice. Your rental company can give you tips on getting where you want to go. Also check out the city of Orlando’s website, which has guides on bike lanes and trails around the city and important safety tips.  

If at the end of the day you find yourself getting two tired to pedal back to the hotel, LYNX and SunRail both have bike racks.  

5. I-RIDE Trolley 

You can have a fantastic Orlando vacation without leaving the International Drive area — and without getting behind the wheel.   

The I-RIDE Trolley operates two routes along International Drive. Each one goes to attractions like SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, ICON Park, and Pointe Orlando, as well as outlet stores, restaurants, and bars. A one-way trip costs $2 for adults, $1 for children ages 3-9, and just 25 cents for seniors.  

One-day and multi-day passes are available on the I-RIDE Trolley website.  

6. Theme Park Shuttles 

Many Orlando hotels offer low-cost or free theme park shuttles. With many theme parks charging $25 or more for their parking lots, these shuttles help you save money while also saving the environment. 

Some of these shuttles require reservations, so stop by guest services to find out how to save your spot.  

7. Walking 

Walking is a wonderful way to get around Orlando without a car.  

You’ll see the sights, get exercise, and lower your trip’s environmental impact. Choose a hotel within walking distance of great Orlando attractions. Rosen Plaza is in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive corridor.  

If you’re in town for an event at the Orange County Convention Center, take the covered Gary Sain Memorial Skybridge from the hotel to the west concourse.  

If you’re looking for restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, we’re right across the street from Pointe Orlando and a 20-minute walk to ICON Park. But you don’t even have to walk that far to have fun thanks to our swimming pool, boutique, and on-site restaurants. 

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