Port Canaveral is about 50 miles east of Orlando, roughly an hour's drive via SR-528 (the Beachline). There are four common ways to get from Orlando to your ship, and below we compare them on real cost and convenience. For most people driving over and parking with Portside at $14.95 a day is both the cheapest and the simplest.
From downtown Orlando, Port Canaveral is about 50 miles and roughly an hour by car. From Orlando International Airport (MCO) it is about 45 miles, and from the Disney and Universal area it is about 45 to 60 miles. Almost everyone takes SR-528, the Beachline Expressway, straight east to the coast. SR-528 is a toll road, so budget a few dollars in tolls each way. For parking, leave the Beachline at Exit 52 (Banana River Drive), one exit before the port.
1. Drive and park with Portside, $14.95 a day. If you have a car or are renting one anyway, this is the lowest total cost and the least hassle. One flat daily rate covers the whole family, both your drop-off and return days are included, and the free shuttle takes you right to your terminal. A 7-night cruise (8 parking days) is $119.60 total, and your car is waiting when you get back.
2. Shared cruise shuttle, about $25 to $40 per person each way. Convenient if you are flying in and not renting a car, but you pay per person in both directions and travel on the operator's schedule. For two or more travelers, the round-trip total usually exceeds the cost of parking.
3. Rideshare or taxi, roughly $70 to $110 each way. Private and quick, but it is a separate one-way cost each direction and prices surge on busy cruise mornings. Best for solo travelers or a one-off.
4. Private car or group transfer. The most comfortable option and the priciest; typically chosen by larger groups or for a special occasion.
If you are driving from Orlando or renting a car for your trip, park with Portside: it is the cheapest for two or more people, there is nothing to coordinate, and the car is secure and ready when you return. If you are flying in, not renting, and traveling solo, a shared shuttle or rideshare can make sense. The one thing we would not recommend is leaving parking to chance at the port's first-come garages on a busy embarkation morning, after an hour on the Beachline you want your spot already held.
Whatever you choose, book your parking before you drive. Reserving locks in the $14.95 advance rate, guarantees your space on busy sailings, and comes in well under the $20.00 a day the port garage charges on-site. It takes about two minutes online, and then the drive from Orlando is the only thing left to do.
Port Canaveral is about 50 miles east of downtown Orlando, roughly an hour by car via SR-528 (the Beachline). It is about 45 miles from Orlando airport (MCO) and 45 to 60 miles from the Disney area. For parking, take Exit 52 (Banana River Drive), one exit before the port.
For two or more people, driving over and parking with Portside at $14.95 a day is almost always cheapest, because one flat rate covers the whole car. Shared shuttles charge about $25 to $40 per person each way and rideshare runs roughly $70 to $110 each way, which adds up fast round trip.
Yes. SR-528 (the Beachline) is a toll road, so budget a few dollars in tolls each way. Use your car's toll transponder, pay cash at the booths where available, or let a rental's toll-by-plate bill handle it.
If you have or are renting a car, drive and park with Portside, it is cheaper for a family and the car is waiting when you return. A shuttle or rideshare can make sense for a solo flyer who is not renting. Either way, reserve your parking before you leave Orlando.
$14.95 a day, free shuttle straight to your terminal, guaranteed reservation.
Reserve my parkingMore: parking cost · compare parking · FAQ · by ship
$14.95 a day, free shuttle straight to your terminal, no hidden fees.