Visitors intending to reach the official website should visit orlandoairports.net
Guide to Arrivals at Orlando Airport (MCO)
Quick Questions about Your Arrival at MCO
How long will it take me to leave the airport?
It varies a lot. On domestic flights the slow part is baggage claim, often 45 minutes or more. On international flights into Terminal C, recent reviews report between one and two hours, adding baggage and immigration.
Is baggage claim really that slow?
Yes, it is the most repeated complaint at MCO. Several flights sometimes share one carousel, and in Terminal C the waits are longest.
Why do I collect my bags before immigration in Terminal C?
In Terminal C, international passengers pick up their bags first and then go through passport control and customs. A slow carousel therefore also delays immigration.
Is it easy to get an Uber or a taxi?
The app pickup point is on the same level as baggage claim (Level 2 in Terminals A and B, Level 6 in Terminal C). Travelers recommend following the "Rideshare" signs, not "Ground Transportation".
Connecting flight, do I have to go through security again?
If you arrive on an international flight and connect to a domestic one, yes: you collect your bag, clear customs, re-check it and go through TSA security again. See the connections guide.
Is there Spanish-speaking staff?
At several contact points yes (rental cars, currency exchange, some VIP lounges), but it is not guaranteed at every counter, especially at immigration and customs.
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Critical Points: Smart Traveler's Manual
Slow baggage, especially in Terminal C
Waits of 45 minutes are common in all terminals, and on international arrivals into Terminal C reviews report one to two hours, sometimes more.
💡 Suggestion: if you can, travel with carry-on only. If you check bags, plan the pickup or your shuttle with that margin.
Immigration lines
Terminal C itself is usually quick at passport control, but the Mobile Passport Control line can get long when several flights land together.
💡 Suggestion: use Global Entry if you have it. The immigration guide explains the process step by step.
Long walks and trains at night
In Terminal C the walk from the gate to baggage claim is long, with ramps and few moving walkways. In Terminals A and B, travelers landing late at night report trains to baggage claim out of service and replaced by buses.
💡 Suggestion: if you have reduced mobility, request wheelchair assistance from your airline in advance and confirm it at check-in.
Pickup at the curb
Cars cannot wait at the arrivals curb unless they are actively loading, and traffic gets heavy at peak times.
💡 Suggestion: ask whoever picks you up to wait in the free cell phone lot until you are outside with your bags.
Pros and Cons of Arriving at MCO
- Pros:
- Global Entry: immigration is quick for Global Entry passengers.
- Free Wi-Fi: the "MCO Internet" network is free in public areas, useful to arrange transport.
- Meeting points: several well-defined spots, plus free cell phone lots for drivers.
- Signage inside the terminal: generally clear to baggage claim.
- Cons:
- Slow baggage: long waits in all terminals, worst in Terminal C.
- Long walks in Terminal C: from the gate to baggage claim, with ramps.
- Late-night arrivals: trains out of service and few staff to help.
- International to domestic connections: re-check and security again.
The Real Arrival Experience at MCO: Step by Step
The arrival experience at Orlando International Airport is clearly divided between domestic and international flights. In Terminals A and B you take a train from your gate to the main terminal; in Terminal C you walk to baggage claim.
Domestic Arrivals
Baggage claim is on Level 2 of Terminals A and B (carousels 1–16 in A and 20–32 in B) and on Level 6 of Terminal C.
User experience:
- Getting off the plane and reaching baggage claim is usually quick in A and B, thanks to the trains.
- The wait for bags is consistently long, often over 45 minutes, and several flights may share a carousel.
- Travelers landing late at night report trains to baggage claim out of service, with buses and long walks instead.
Strategy: check which carousel your flight uses on the screens as soon as you arrive, and keep your airline's app open for bag status.
International Arrivals: The Real Challenge
Most international flights arrive at Terminal C, where you collect your bags first and then go through immigration and customs on Level 6.
User experience:
- The walk from the plane to the arrivals hall is long, with several ramps and few moving walkways.
- Baggage delivery is the biggest complaint: waits of one to two hours are reported on long-haul flights.
- Immigration agents get good comments for speed and friendliness, but the MPC line can be long at peak times.
- Some travelers report too few staff to push wheelchairs between the gate and baggage claim.
Strategy: if you have Global Entry, use it. If you have a domestic connection, leave at least two to three hours: you will need to re-check your bag and go through security again.
Leaving the Terminal: Transportation and Services
Ride-hailing apps pick up on the baggage claim level. Taxis, shuttles and rental car buses are on Level 1 of Terminals A and B and Level 1 of Terminal C. Luggage carts cost USD 6.
User experience:
- The pickup curb gets congested and drivers cannot stop to wait, which causes stress for families with luggage.
- The app pickup is easy once you follow the "Rideshare" signs; the confusion comes from looking for it under "Ground Transportation".
- The free Wi-Fi works well to coordinate the pickup.
Strategy: agree on the exact pickup point with your driver before leaving baggage claim. For other options, see taxis and apps, shuttles and car rental.
General Recommendations upon Arriving at Orlando (MCO)
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Carry-on luggage
Before leaving the aircraft, make sure you don't forget any belongings in the overhead bins or under the seat.
Connecting flights
If you arrive from another country and your connecting flight is domestic, you must collect your checked luggage, go through immigration and customs, re-check it and go through security again. If your final destination is outside the United States, you do not need to do this. If you have time to wait, the airport has coffee options open 24 hours in the public area of the North Terminal.
eSIM for International Travelers
If you're coming from abroad, buy your eSIM for an affordable international data plan and avoid unexpected roaming charges. Once you arrive at MCO, connect to the free "MCO Internet" Wi-Fi to activate it.
Checked luggage
If Orlando is your final destination and you have checked luggage, head to baggage claim and look for your flight's carousel on the screens. Sometimes two flights share the same carousel. If your luggage is missing, go to your airline's counter before leaving the area.
Immigration Control
Follow the signs to immigration control. If you are a foreigner, depending on your nationality, you must present your passport and visa if applicable, and the address and phone number where you will be staying. Answer the officer's questions clearly and briefly.
Arrivals Hall and Transportation
When you reach the public area, a private driver will usually be waiting with a sign with your name. If you want a taxi, use only the authorized taxi stands and be wary of offers from strangers.
Meeting points
These are the meeting points recommended by the airport in Terminals A and B:
- Under the flight information screens near the security checkpoints for gates 1–59 or 70–129.
- Next to the fountain in the hotel atrium, near the checkpoint for gates 70–129.
- In the baggage claim area of your airline.
- On the arrivals curb (Level 2), outside baggage claim. Cars may not wait there unless they are actively loading passengers or luggage, so allow at least 20 minutes after landing before meeting there.
- At one of the restaurants or bars in the North Terminal.
- At McCoy's Bar & Grill, Hemisphere or the Hyatt Regency lobby, above the checkpoint for gates 70–129.
Drivers can wait for free in the North and South cell phone lots until the passenger is ready.
