Universal Orlando Resort is about 15 miles (24 km) from Orlando International Airport (MCO), 15 to 30 minutes by car. Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025, is part of Universal Orlando Resort. A private SUV with SPL Transportation from MCO to Universal and International Drive hotels is $119 flat for up to 6 passengers, tolls, meet & greet and child seats included.
Private SUV, up to 6 passengers. Tolls, meet & greet and child seats included.
- Tolls included, gratuity optional
- Flight tracking, free wait for delays
- Free child seats
- Free cancellation up to 24h
Good news if you’re heading to Universal: it is one of the shortest transfers from Orlando International Airport (MCO). The right choice depends mainly on group size, luggage and whether you need car seats.
Distance and drive time
| From MCO to | Approx. distance | Typical drive | SPL private SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Orlando Resort hotels | ~15 mi / 24 km | 15–30 min | $119 |
| International Drive hotels | ~12–15 mi / 19–24 km | 15–30 min | $119 |
| Epic Universe area hotels | ~12 mi / 19 km | 15–25 min | Shown at booking |
Distances and times are approximate. Tolls are included in SPL rates; gratuity is optional.
What about Epic Universe?
Epic Universe opened in May 2025 as Universal’s newest theme park, with its own hotels nearby. It belongs to Universal Orlando Resort, so many guests split their stay or move between Universal hotels during the trip. Enter your exact hotel when you book and the price appears before you pay; if you need a ride between hotels mid-trip, add it as a separate trip.
Your options
Private SUV
The chauffeur meets you at baggage claim, helps with the bags and drives directly to your hotel. $119 flat for up to 6 passengers, tolls and child seats included.
Shared shuttle
Per-person pricing and stops at several hotels. Good for solo travelers with time.
Uber or Lyft
A short ride, so it can be affordable for two people. Families run into the usual limits: car seats and space for luggage.
Rental car
Universal hotels and the parks charge for parking. If you will mostly stay in the Universal area, you may not need a car at all: many Universal hotels offer shuttles or walking paths to the parks.
Private SUV, up to 6 passengers. Tolls, meet & greet and child seats included.
- Tolls included, gratuity optional
- Flight tracking, free wait for delays
- Free child seats
- Free cancellation up to 24h
Combining Universal and Disney
Many families do both. A typical plan: MCO to Universal ($119), a hotel-to-hotel ride to Disney when you switch, and Disney back to MCO ($139). Book the airport legs together and save 10% on the round trip with code ORLANDO10. Moving to a cruise after the parks? From a Universal or I-Drive hotel to Port Canaveral is a flat $219.
“Very professional driver that got my family and all our luggage to the airport in a timely and comfortable manner. He even had videos playing for the kids!”— Ray C., Google review · Airport transfer
Arrival tips
- Add your flight number at booking; we track it and adjust to delays at no cost.
- Universal hotels often allow luggage drop before check-in, so an early flight still works.
- Traveling with little ones? Car seats are free; tell us the ages.
See how all the options compare on price in Uber vs shuttle vs private car.
