Ratfilter: getting around

March 19, 2007 8:56 AM

FamilyVacationTime! I'm arriving in Orlando via air on Easter Sunday to meet up with my family. What's the Taxi situation like on holidays at the airport? Also, I am departing via Amtrak on the following Friday. What's the area around the train station like? What's the best way to get to the Downtown Amtrak station from the Kissimee area?

As we all know, Amtrak can be less than punctual. Is the area around the Orlando station an OK place to hang out on a Friday afternoon while waiting for a delayed train? Any particular recommendations? I'm open to renting a car from the airport, but it might be a pain to drop the car off when I depart.

Any tips or tricks for navigating the Orlando area would be much appreciated!

posted by Geckwoistmeinauto to travel & transportation (2 comments total)

I just flew into Orlando in early January. Taxis were plentiful, but I highly recommend trying to beat the wave of your fellow travelers by carrying on luggage and hustling to the taxi stand. If you arrive en masse, you could certainly have a 20+ minute wait.

Unfortunately, the best tip I can give you for navigating Orlando is to rent a car. Things are very far apart and designed to be unwalkable. Orlando is the definition of sprawl and taxis are expensive.

FYI - The taxi from the airport to the Orlando World Center Marriott (by Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney) was $50 each way.
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:54 AM on March 19, 2007

What's the Taxi situation like on holidays at the airport?
You shouldn't have any problem finding a taxi, but as 2bucksplus said the cost of the taxi is going to be at least $50 to get to the attractions area. If you are prepared to spend that money, you should be fine.

Also, I am departing via Amtrak on the following Friday. What's the area around the train station like?
Here is a map of the station location. It is basically a medical / industrial area. It is not particularly dangerous (as compared to other neighborhoods in Orlando), but it is also not an area with much to see or do. Downtown Orlando is only a mile or two north of there, so you might be able to pass the time there and take a cab back to the train station.

What's the best way to get to the Downtown Amtrak station from the Kissimee area?
If you are coming from Kissimmee proper I would go up 17-92 (Orange Blossom Trail) to the Florida Turnpike, take the turnpike north to I-4, then take I-4 eastbound and get off at the Kaley Street exit.

If you are coming from the "cheap hotels on 192 near Disney" part of Kissimmee, then just get directly onto I-4 from 192 and again head eastbound to the Kaley St. exit.

Any tips or tricks for navigating the Orlando area would be much appreciated!
Bring a compass. Seriously. I spent at least the first two years after I moved here perpetually lost because I never had any idea what direction I was going. The Orlando area is very flat, littered with lakes both small and large, and the vast majority of streets wiggle all around to get around said lakes. Knowing what direction you are traveling is half the battle.

The streets frequently have multiple names (Hwy 192 is the same as W. Vine St. which is the same as Irlo Bronson Highway). In one stretch I can go through six different street names without ever turning. It seems like at least 50% of the major roads have "Vineland" in their name, making it very easy to get them confused. A good map will be your best friend.

Keep plenty of change handy for toll roads, in case you want to take 408, 417, 429, 528, or the turnpike.

Avoid International Drive like the plague, it is the very worst of tourist traps in the region.
posted by Lokheed at 1:56 PM on March 19, 2007