From Walt Disney World resorts, Port Canaveral is about 65 to 75 miles and 75 to 95 minutes by car; from Universal or International Drive, about 55 to 65 miles and 65 to 85 minutes. SPL Transportation charges a flat $219 per private SUV (up to 6 passengers) from these hotels to your cruise terminal, tolls included. Leave about 2 hours before the start of your boarding window.
From Disney, Universal or International Drive hotels to your cruise terminal. Private SUV, tolls included.
- Tolls included, gratuity optional
- Flight tracking, free wait for delays
- Free child seats
- Free cancellation up to 24h
Spending a few nights at the parks before sailing is one of the best ways to do Orlando: you arrive rested, the kids get their Disney or Universal days, and a delayed flight can’t make you miss the ship. The only thing left is getting from the hotel to Port Canaveral with everyone and everything.
Distance and timing
| Hotel area | To Port Canaveral | Typical drive | SPL private SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World resorts | ~65–75 mi | 75–95 min | $219 |
| Universal Orlando hotels | ~55–65 mi | 65–85 min | $219 |
| International Drive hotels | ~55–65 mi | 65–85 min | $219 |
Approximate. Tolls included; gratuity optional. Up to 6 passengers per SUV; vans available for larger groups.
When to leave
Use your cruise line’s assigned arrival time as the target and leave about 2 hours before it. For an 11:30 AM window, a 9:30 AM pickup at your resort lobby is comfortable. On weekend mornings when several ships are in port, add a little more. Our full cruise-day timeline has examples.
Private SUV vs the cruise line bus
Cruise lines sell hotel-to-port transfers per person; Disney Cruise Line has quoted $45 per person each way from Walt Disney World resorts. A family of five pays about $225 for the bus, versus $219 for a private SUV that leaves from your lobby when you are ready, with free car seats. Full comparison in our Disney cruise transportation guide.
From Disney, Universal or International Drive hotels to your cruise terminal. Private SUV, tolls included.
- Tolls included, gratuity optional
- Flight tracking, free wait for delays
- Free child seats
- Free cancellation up to 24h
Packing tips for the hotel-to-port ride
- Pack a small day bag with swimsuits, medication and documents. Your big bags may not reach your cabin until the afternoon.
- Check how many suitcases you really have now that the parks shopping is done. An SUV carries about 5 large bags with 6 people; tell us if you have more. See our luggage guide.
- Have your cruise documents and terminal number ready for the chauffeur.
“For the rest of our 12-day trip he took us everywhere — cruise port, airport, hotels — and each time it was a 5-star experience.”— James P., Google review · 12-day Orlando trip
Build the whole trip
- MCO to your Disney resort: $139 (guide)
- Resort to Port Canaveral: $219
- Port Canaveral to MCO after the cruise: priced at booking (safe flight times)
Same team, same standard every ride. Round trips save 10% with code ORLANDO10.
