Travel-Getting There and Getting Around

By far the most popular means of getting to Orlando is by air.

Orlando International airport is one of three airports serving the metroplex. It handles 31 million passengers a year and is one of the top airports in the country consistently voted one of the top 5 in the country for customer convenience. It is serviced by more than 37 carriers with more than 60 non stop arrivals (not to mention all the connecting flights) from US and international destinations daily. There are private charter carriers as well. Sanford Int'l airport is home to a small fleet of Int'l carriers.

Orlando is located in east central Florida on Interstate 4. A lot of vacationers from the southeast find it easy to drive to Orlando. The interstate highway system certainly makes it easier.

Amtrak runs a passenger trains to Orlando. There is even a car train that starts in Lorton VA for those who want their own car but don't want to drive to Orlando.

Unless you are staying at Walt Disney World (WDW) you will need a car. There are taxis, limos, buses, horse drawn carriages too. For the easiest way to get around, get a car. Just be aware that under the best of circumstances traffic is very congested just like any other city this size.

If you are staying at WDW everything that you might want to do is within walking distance and the transportation system of WDW is available. The WDW transportation system is by bus, monorail, water taxi, or ferry. You sacrifice some freedom for big savings on gas insurance, parking, and of course the rental fees. It runs to and from all Walt Disney properties well into the night. Remember though Walt Disney World is 47 sq. miles and is only part of Orlando. That's a lot of ground to cover.

A lot of the bigger hotels offer shuttle service to the theme parks and the airport-just be careful it may or may not be free so do your homework.

The decision on getting a car may be the most important decision of your stay in Orlando.

Even if you are staying in WDW you may still want to get a car. There are several things to take into consideration in making this decision. They would include:

---Time of year. The busier times of the year create longer lines waiting for ground transportation.

---Where you are staying. Proximity to where you want to spend your time is a factor.

---Length of stay. You can do almost anything for a day or two, but if your stay exceeds that shuttle hopping is not a fun sport.

---The convenience factor. Let's face it having a car is convenient and exudes freedom to do what you want when you want to do it.

---Size and makeup of your family. Think about the stroller etc and the little ones on and off the shuttle bus. Get the idea? Been there done that-NO THANKS!

Take the ideas and suggestion above to heart because transportation is a critical part of your vacation fun in Orlando. Making the wrong decision on getting a car could ruin your stay.

Jack Krohn is a free lance writer and the #1 author of Home Security Articles in the country according to EzineArticles. He has traveled extensively to Europe, throughout the southwest and Hawaii. He has had Diabetes, Pre-diabetes and Syndrome X for nearly fifteen years. He speaks from the experiences he has had during that time.
by Jack Krohn
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