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Cheap flights from
Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Save hundreds on your next flight with deals on highly rated airlines.

Where can I fly from Orlando International Airport (MCO)?

Over the last 2 years, we've sent Going members from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to 270 destinations. These are the cheapest flights we've found to each of those destinations.

Flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) overview

Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members near Orlando International Airport (MCO) save approximately 39% compared to normal flight prices.

Cheapest Going deal

$58

Average price roundtrip

$489.79

Average Going deal price roundtrip

$298.74

Best month to fly

Going found the most deals with travel dates in November.

November

Worst month to fly

Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.

July

Top tips for finding a cheap flight out of Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Aim for the Goldilocks Window

Generally speaking, we suggest booking airline tickets about 1-3 months before a domestic trip and 2-8 months before an international one. This is the sweet spot when great deals on airfare are most likely to be found, and we call it the Goldilocks Window.

If, however, your trip involves flying during the peak tourist season or over a busy holiday, we recommend buying tickets even more in advance. Anyone planning a trip over the December holidays, for example, should start looking at fares in July. And don’t count on some outrageous last-minute deal, either—fares are almost certain to jump at the 21-day, 14-day, and 7-day points before a flight, so book before those dates if you can.

Take a look at the Greek Islands Trick

When you have your heart set on a specific destination, it can be frustrating when fares from your home airport never seem to go down. Before you give up entirely, though, see what you can get with what we call the Greek Islands Trick.

Instead of biting the bullet on a flight from Orlando to Mykonos, which can be $1,300 or more, look at flights from Orlando to London—sometimes available for under $500 roundtrip. Even when you add on a $170 roundtrip fare from London to Mykonos, you’re still saving a nice chunk of change. The idea of the Greek Islands Trick (which works just as well for plenty of other places) is to look for the cheapest flight that gets you relatively close to where you actually want to be and then book a separate ticket (on a low-cost airline, a train, or even a boat) to get you the rest of the way. Yes, this method does require you to do a bit more work, but the savings can be worth it.

Consider alternative airports (even if they’re not close by)

If you live in the Orlando area, you may already be accustomed to looking at flights out of Tampa or St. Petersburg in addition to flights out of MCO—and that’s a great way to find deals. But there are also times when it may be a good idea to look at departures out of airports that aren’t nearby, too. There are occasionally long-haul flight deals so jaw-dropping that even flying across the country to get to another departure airport is a money-saving move.

Consider, for instance, the whopping great deal of a $202 roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to Japan. It sure beats the $2,000+ price tag of a flight from Orlando to Japan, and even adding a $250 flight from Orlando to LA means you’re still saving a bundle.

Plan your trips when it’s cheaper to fly

Flexibility is one of the keys to traveling cheaply. This applies to travel seasons as well as days of the week.

Summer is an incredibly popular travel season, both because families don’t have to contend with school schedules and because the weather is reliably wonderful. The high demand for summer flights, though, means the airlines can raise prices on airline tickets. The shoulder seasons (usually spring and fall) are often an excellent mix of lower prices than summer and better weather than winter, so if you have some planning wiggle room, aim for one of the shoulder seasons. Or, if weather isn’t a big deal for your travel plans, you can save even more money traveling in the low season.

If your travel plans can’t be moved outside peak season, then at least aim to fly on the days of the week when it’s generally cheaper (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays) and avoid the days when it’s usually more expensive (Fridays and Sundays).

Sign up for fare alert emails

Technology can be your friend when it comes to the often-tedious task of tracking airfare fluctuations. Sign up for a fare alert for your itinerary, and you’ll get an email when the price for that ticket changes by a certain amount or drops into your target price range. By setting up these alerts several months in advance, you’ll be able to see price changes and be more confident in knowing you’re getting a good deal. Just keep in mind that if you’re considering several potential itineraries, you’ll have to set up a fare alert for each one.

Orlando International is a hub for the regional Silver Airways, a focus city for JetBlue, and the operating base for Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. There are a total of 44 airlines serving MCO with nonstop service to more than 150 airports around the world, so you’ll usually be able to get where you want to go with one connection (if not directly).

Frequently asked questions about flying from Orlando International Airport (MCO)

What is the airport code for Orlando International Airport?

The airport code for Orlando International Airport is MCO.

Does Orlando International Airport (MCO) have its own on-site hotel?

The Orlando airport has one on-site hotel, the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, located between Terminal A and Terminal B. Access to the hotel is pre-security (the entrance is between security checkpoints), and the hotel features a gym, rooftop pool, and sundeck with runway views, and two restaurants. Rooms start at about $190 per night.

What lounges are available at Orlando International Airport (MCO)?

There are three airline lounges at MCO, plus two lounges that are not airline-affiliated.

Terminal A

  • The Club at MCO: On the main concourse; open 5am-10pm; ; assorted food and beverages, shower facility, workstations, free WiFi. Lounge passes start at $50.

Terminal B

  • American Airlines Admirals Club: Near gate 55; open 4am-8:30pm; assorted food and beverages, free WiFi. Access is free for United Club members, travelers flying first or business class on United or its Star Alliance partners, United Club Infinite cardholders, and some elite-status United or Star Alliance frequent flyers. Day Passes are also available for $59.

  • Delta Air Lines Sky Lounge: Near gate 71, center atrium; open 4:30am-9:45pm Mon, Wed, Fri and 4:30am-10:45pm Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun; assorted food and beverages, free WiFi. Access is free for Sky Club members, Delta’s and Air France’s first-class or business-class ticketholders, SkyMiles Reserve cardholders, and AmEx Platinum cardholders with a Delta boarding pass.

  • The Club at MCO: Near gate 91; open 5am-9pm; assorted food and beverages, shower facility, workstations, free WiFi. Lounge passes start at $50.

  • United Club Lounge: Near gate 43; open 5am-8pm; light snacks, full-service bar, free WiFi. cess is free for United Club members, travelers flying first or business class on United or its Star Alliance partners, United Club Infinite cardholders, and some elite status United or Star Alliance frequent flyers. Day Passes are also available for $59.

Terminal C

  • Plaza Premium Lounge: Just past security on Palm Court; open 7am-9pm; assorted food and beverages, shower facility, free WiFi. Lounge passes start at around $45 for three hours.

Does Orlando International Airport (MCO) have facilities for those traveling with pets?

Service animals must be leashed at all times, and non-service animals must be kept in their air travel-approved carrier (except when using one of the pet relief areas).

Service Animal Relief Areas:

Terminal A

  • Level 2, outside the east end of the building (outside security)
  • In the concourse wing for gates 20-29 (inside security)
  • Opposite gate 121 (inside security)

Terminal B

  • Level 2, outside the west end of the building (outside security)
  • In the concourse wing for gates 40-49 (inside security)
  • In the concourse wing for gates 80-89 (inside security)

Terminal C

  • Near gates C236, C241, and C242 (inside security)
  • Level 6, just before baggage claim (inside security)

How many terminals are there in Orlando International Airport (MCO)?

There are three terminals at MCO, with a grand total of 108 gates between them. Terminal A and Terminal B are opposite sides of one building, and Terminal C is a separate building. Terminal C is the main international terminal, but it’s also where JetBlue’s gates are.

Terminal A: There’s a Duty Free and some airport staple shops in Terminal A, and food options range from fast food to sit-down eateries like Cask & Larder, Farmair Restaurant & Bar, Villa Italian Kitchen, Le Grand Comptoir, On the Border, and UrbanCrave. The Club at MCO is here.

Terminal B: Dining options in Terminal B include Zaza, Bahama Breeze, Outback, Ruby Tuesday, and Nature’s Table, along with fast food. The usual airport shops are also in this terminal, as is a Duty Free shop. Lounges in this terminal are American Airlines Admirals Club, The Club at MCO, and United Club.

Terminal C: There’s another Duty Free shop in Terminal C, plus some local souvenir shops (including one featuring work by local artists). Food options include Cask & Larder, Desano Pizzeria, Shake Shack, Sunshine Diner, and Summer House. MCO’s Plaza Premium lounge is in this terminal.

Does MCO have CLEAR?

Yes, CLEAR is available at the Orlando airport. The enrollment center is in the Terminal A and B building, near the security checkpoint for gates 70-129 on Level 3.

Does MCO have TSA PreCheck?

Yes, TSA PreCheck is available at MCO. PreCheck lanes are typically open from 4am-8:30pm. There’s even an enrollment option for travelers who are about to leave on a trip, which means you don’t need to make an appointment.

There are TSA PreCheck “ambassadors” with enrollment carts outside the security checkpoint for gates 1-59 from 5am-11am Monday-Friday. The regular PreCheck enrollment center is in Terminal B near baggage claim 23, and it’s open 8am-1pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

Does MCO have Global Entry?

Yes, Orlando Airport has Global Entry kiosks for international arrivals. The enrollment center is in Terminal C, near the Orlando Police Department’s office, and it’s open from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday.

How early should I arrive to Orlando International Airport (MCO) before my flight?

As a general rule, travelers on domestic flights are advised to get to the airport two hours before departure. For travelers on international flights, the recommendation is three hours ahead. In some cases, though, you may not need to arrive quite so early. Here are some factors that may impact how early you need to get to MCO for your trip.

How big is the airport, and where is your gate? Navigating large airports takes time, but Orlando’s airport isn’t especially gigantic. Terminals A and B are in the same building, so check-in and security all happen there, with trains to get you from the main terminal building to the concourse wing where your departure gate is. The ride only takes a minute or so, and the walk to your gate should only be about 5-10 minutes. To get to Terminal C, you can either take a different airport train or a shuttle bus—and if the airport is busy, you may need to wait for a train or bus with enough room.

Do you need to check in or check a bag at the airport? There’s a cutoff time prior to departure when airlines stop allowing people to check in (usually 30-60 minutes) and check luggage (usually 45-60 minutes). If you can check in from home, that’s always going to save you time, but if you need to check a bag or you can’t check in ahead of time for any reason, give yourself extra time to do so at the airport.

How busy is the airport likely to be? The wait time in the standard lanes at MCO’s security checkpoints is around 15 minutes on average. If your itinerary includes flying around a busy holiday, peak season, or on generally busier days (Fridays and Sundays usually), it’s apt to be a much longer wait. The airport website posts real-time security wait times for each of its checkpoints and the current recommended time to arrive prior to departure on its homepage, so you can make some last-minute decisions if you want to.

Orlando International may not be huge, but it’s still recommended that you arrive at least 1.5 hours before a domestic flight—and that’s assuming you’re already checked in, aren’t checking any luggage, and flying at an off-peak time. Most of the time, though, it’s probably best to stick to the recommended two hours before a flight—and bump that to 3-4 hours if it’s busy.

How far is Orlando International Airport (MCO) from downtown Orlando?

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 13-22 miles from downtown Orlando, depending on which route you take.

What are the different transportation options for going from the city center to Orlando International Airport (MCO)?

You have a few options for reaching Orlando’s airport from central Orlando.

By taxi or rideshare: The drive from downtown Orlando to the airport takes about a half-hour when traffic is light. There isn’t a flat taxi fare for the airport, but you can expect fares to be in the $38-45 range. Rideshare trips can range in price from $34-73, depending on traffic and demand.

By public transportation: There are a number of LYNX bus routes connecting various parts of the Orlando metro area to the airport. Lines 11 and 52 run between the LYNX Central Station downtown and the airport, a trip that takes 45-50 minutes, and a ticket costs $2.

Going helps you find flight deals from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and save big. Try Going Premium today.

Deal frequency

How often we find deals from Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Very frequent

Number of deals

Total from Orlando International Airport (MCO) in the last month

286

Total Mistake Fares

Airline slip-ups we've caught from Orlando International Airport (MCO)

18

* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.

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