Hello, this is your tour guide.

If you’re looking for some fun in the sun - Orlando is the place to be. Year round sunshine and plenty of entertainment options to get your mind off the daily grind.

Getting from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to downtown Orlando is not as straightforward at first glance. For many, your final destination after arriving at Orlando Airport is to head to one of the massive resorts, theme parks, or for a convention. Few of which are downtown. Unfortunately there is no direct rail connection from Orlando Airport to downtown. There are plans to extend SunRail to Orlando International Airport but no shovels are in the ground just yet. Brightline travels from MCO eastward away from Orlando towards West Palm Beach and finally to Miami. Unfortunately Brightline doesn’t travel from MCO to downtown Orlando.

In the meantime, check out the variety of ways to get from MCO to downtown Orlando. From the fastest, to the least expensive, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Most Direct and Cheapest: LYNX Bus 11 / 51

Oralndo’s LYNX Buses 11 and 51 both offer direct, local service from MCO to downtown Orlando. You can catch the LYNX Bus from the Ground Transportation Level of Terminal A. Keep in mind that these buses are meant for workers commuting to and from Orlando Airport - so no express service. Both routes (11 & 51) drastically vary and run through Orlando’s suburbs. Be prepared for multiple stops on the way to LYNX Central Station, the main intermodal terminal in downtown Orlando. Connections to SunRail and the majority of LYNX's bus transit network. That is, you can catch another bus to your final destinations or theme parks such as Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando. Learn more about LYNX’ tourist destinations here

Travel time is approximately 45 minutes. Learn more about Orlando’s LYNX bus system here.

Fare is approximately $2.00.

Note: Both bus 11 stops at Sand Lake Station for a transfer to SunRail.

Honorable Mention: LYNX Bus 311 to SunRail

Unfortunately, SunRail (Orlando’s commuter railroad) doesn’t run to the airport - yet. The lack of direct transfer to Brightline’s newly opened Airport station is another missed connection. In the meantime you can take LYNX Express Bus 311**** from Orlando Airport to Sand Lake Station and transfer to SunRail for a quick ride to downtown Orlando at LYNX Central Station. What’s great about LYNX Bus 311 is the express, non stop service from MCO to SunRail - perfect for travelers coming off that flight. You can catch the LYNX Bus from the Ground Transportation Level of Terminal A.

Travel time is approximately 35 minutes.

Learn more about the SunRail train transfer service from Orlando Airport here.

Fare is approximately $2.00 which includes a free transfer between LYNX Bus and SunRail. Consider downloading the LYNX App to purchase your fare in advance.

Most Semi-Private: Shuttles

MCO offers a multitude of shuttle services from the airport. All are located at the Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) of each Terminal.Learn more here.

Most Private: Taxi / Ride Share

Undoubtedly, the most expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. Travel time is approximately 20-25 minutes. If you arrive at rush hour expect to sit in traffic. Expect to pay about $40 for a ride.

Note:

Prices are accurate as of November 2024.

Welcome to Vegas. Time to escape the mundane, boring daily life and have some fun. Or if you’re here for a conference - serious business time. Most likely you’re heading for pleasure.

Seriously, 1 in 5 leisure travelers in North America head to Las Vegas. And with major attractions like the Sphere, F1, professional sports teams - you have plenty of reasons.

Let’s make the travel experience a little smoother by showing you the variety of ways to get from Harry Reid International Airport to the strip. For the sake of simplicity we’re going to define the “center” of the strip as the intersection of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard. Surrounded by Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Paris Las Vegas, and Bellagio.

While the airport is close to the strip, getting there is not as straightforward as it seems. In fact, Las Vegas Airport is the busiest airport in the world without an airport rail link. We at Vandvoyage know a metro from the airport to the Strip and beyond to historic downtown Las Vegas is needed. But until that happens check out your options below to get from LAS to the Strip.

Cheapest: RTC Transit CX (Centennial Express) Bus

Las Vegas is the furthest from being a transit friendly city but at least a bus system exists. The

RTC (Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada) operates several bus routes from McCarran International Airport. The bus routes operating from Las Vegas Airport to the strip are mainly targeted to locals and employees of the airport. That is, there is no dedicated bus or train from LAS to the strip. Of the buses, route CX is your direct route from Harry Reid Airport to the Strip. Stopping at Terminal 1 (Level Zero exit the building along the crosswalk and veer right to see the bus stop) and Terminal 3 (Level 2 across from exit door 44) the CX stops right at the center of the strip. Route CX also continues to downtown Las Vegas after the Strip.

Learn more about the RTC and see the route CX map here.

Fare is $4.00. Download the RTC app and purchase fares in advance.

Most Semi-Private: Shuttles

Many hotels along the Strip offer shuttle services. Check with the resort you’re staying at to confirm. Shuttle buses are located at Terminal 1 by exit doors 7 thru 13 and at Terminal 3 by the west end of Level Zero.

Learn more about the shuttle buses offered from Harry Reid Airport here.

Fares start at $30

Most Private: Taxi / Ride Share

Undoubtedly, the more expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. Travel time is approximately 10-15 minutes. If you arrive at rush hour expect to sit in traffic. Expect to pay about $15-25 for a ride.

Taxi rides are the same but make sure you know what zone of the stirp you are heading to beforehand.

Most Luxurious: Limousines

Stretch limos might seem like a thing of the past but in Vegas, it's a right of passage. Why not go all out and ride to the Strip in luxury. Limos are so popular that Harry Reid Airports even offers walk-up limo service. That is, there is no need to book in advance. Just approach one and go!

There are plenty of options to choose from. Limos are located at Terminal 1 by exit doors 7 thru 13 and at Terminal 3 by the west end of Level Zero.

There’s not an old saying, “When in Vegas, do as the Las Vegans do”.

Slowest: Walk

Forgot to hit 10,000 steps before heading out? Well, you’re in luck. You can walk from Harry Reid Airport to the strip. It’s doable but with major streets, poor pedestrian infrastructure, multiple road crossings - it's a difficult 3 mile hike. From the north end of Terminal 1 look for the sidewalk and make your way north along Wayne Newton Boulevard until it ends at Paradise Road. Continue walking along Paradise Road until you reach and turn left at Tropicana Avenue.

This is far from a pleasant walk so we suggest avoiding the  walk unless you’re adventurous and can carry your luggage. Be prepared to walk for at least one hour. Maybe avoid this option during the desert summer.

Note:

Prices are accurate as of November 2024.

Welcome to Washington, D.C.- America’s capital and a bustling metropolis in its own right. Whether you are visiting for political means or as a tourist Washington has lots of history and culture. But before you discover Washington take a look at all the ways you can travel from Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport to downtown Washington. Before you head out take a moment to learn about all the methods to get from BWI to downtown Washington. Located in Baltimore, BWI is not exactly a “Washington” airport as the slash (/) in the name suggests. Nevertheless, getting from BWI to downtown Washington is a straightforward experience with plenty of options to fit your budget.

Note: Washington is served by three major passenger airports:

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA);

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and;

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

DCA handles domestic and commuter flights (if you like to spot politicians this is the airport for you). IAD handles national and international flights. While BWI handles national and international with a focus on low cost carriers.

This article focuses on how to get from Baltimore/Washington International Airport to downtown.

Read this article about how to get from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from Washington Dulles International Airport here.

Cheapest: MARC Penn Line Train

Starting from BWI’s horseshoe shaped arrivals terminal (every concourse sticks out from here) head towards the lower level pick up & ground transportation zone. Specifically, the pick up zone for the shuttle to parking lots and the BWI train station. NOT the pick up zone for hotel shuttles. These shuttles are free and the shuttles run every 10-15 minutes 24/7. Read BWI’s Airport page for Shuttles for more information.

Ride the shuttle until you arrive at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Station. This busy intermodal station serves commuter (MARC) and intercity (Amtrak) trains. For the cheapest ride, purchase tickets for the MARC’s Penn Line service to Washington Union Station. Service is frequent (every 15 minutes at rush hour and hourly off peak). Travel time approximately 45-60 minutes depending on normal or express service to Washington Union Station**** - the major intermodal hub for Washington, D.C.

Read more about MARC Penn Line here.

Fare is $8.00.

Fastest: Amtrak Acela

Starting from BWI’s horseshoe shaped arrivals terminal (every concourse sticks out from here) head towards the lower level pick up & ground transportation zone. Specifically, the pick up zone for the shuttle to parking lots and the BWI train station. NOT the pick up zone for hotel shuttles. These shuttles are free and the shuttles run every 10-15 minutes 24/7. Read BWI’s Airport page for Shuttles for more information.

Ride the shuttle until you arrive at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Station. This busy intermodal station serves commuter (MARC) and intercity (Amtrak). With Amtrak you have multiple options (high-speed rail or local service) to choose from. Fares vary with dynamic pricing and class of travel but the breakdown is roughly as follows for each service:

• Northeast Regional (local):
  • Coach from $10
  • Business from $30
• Acela (high-speed rail):
  • Business from $30
  • First from $84

Travel time is approximately from 25 minutes with Acela or 30 minutes with Northeast Regional depending on normal or express service to Washington Union Station**** - the major intermodal hub for Washington, D.C.

Most Private: Taxi / Ride Share

Undoubtedly, the most expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. Travel time is approximately 46-60 minutes. If you arrive at rush hour expect to sit in traffic. Expect to pay about $90-120 for a ride. Keep in mind that Washington traffic (especially along the northeast interstate highway I-95 & I-295 corridor) can become notoriously congested so be prepared for sudden surge pricing.

Note:

Prices are accurate as of November 2024.