Car Rental MCOMCO rental-car access field guide
Return planner

When should I return my rental car at MCO?

At Orlando the returns are inside the terminal garages, and the level depends on your company and your terminal. Pick your company, terminal, airline and departure time to see the level and the latest time to pull in.

Plan your return

Official times are linked to their source. Times marked "Your number" are yours to set. Checked 2026-10-27.

Return to the Alamo, Enterprise and National return lanes, Terminal A: level R1. Terminal B: level R1. Terminal C: Parking C1.

Times only you can set

No official source publishes these, so we do not guess them. Leave one empty and it counts as 0 minutes.

Latest arrival at the return

9:15 AM

Set by: Southwest Airlines bag drop closes at 9:15 AM.

3 of your own times are still empty, so this is later than you can really cut it.

The Orlando airport authority advises being at the security checkpoint 120 min before departure. To follow that, arrive at the return by 8:00 AM.

  1. 9:15 AM Arrive at the Alamo, Enterprise and National return lanes
  2. Return in Garage A, level R1 and leave the car+0 min
    Your number
  3. Walk from the garage to your airline's check-in+0 min
    Your number
  4. 9:15 AM Southwest Airlines bag drop closesSouthwest Airlines: check-in and boarding times
  5. 9:50 AM Southwest Airlines gate cutoffafter security: 0 min, your numberSouthwest Airlines: check-in and boarding times
  6. 10:00 AM Departure

How the return works here

  1. 1

    Follow signs to your departure terminal first

    Every on-airport brand has a return at Terminal A, Terminal B and Terminal C. Avis says to follow signs to your departure terminal, then to the return, because the wrong side can cost you an extra 15-minute shuttle.

    Avis MCO location page
  2. 2

    The level depends on the side

    Avis, Budget and Payless return on R1 at Terminal A but R2 at Terminal B. Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty are the reverse. Alamo, Enterprise and National use R1 on both sides, and Sixt uses P1.

    MCO: Rental cars
  3. 3

    A and B: walk in

    Garages A and B put both terminals within walking distance. MCO publishes no walk time, so it is yours to set.

    MCO: Parking Garage A
  4. 4

    Terminal C or the wrong side: Terminal Link

    Terminal C has its own garage within walking distance. Terminal A and B are a 4-minute Terminal Link ride from it, so returning on the far side adds that ride plus the walk through Garage C.

    MCO: Parking Garage C
  5. 5

    Check-in and checkpoint can differ

    Southwest checks in at Terminal A but screens at the Gates 70 to 129 checkpoint. JetBlue and British Airways fly from Terminal C.

    MCO: Airlines

Not published, so you set it

  • Time to return the car and get out of the garage
  • Walk from the garage to check-in (MCO says only within walking distance)
  • Security line

Return questions

Where do I return a rental car at Orlando International Airport?

In the garage of the terminal you fly from. Each on-airport brand has a return level in Garage A, Garage B and the Terminal C garage. The planner shows your brand's level.

Do I need a train to get to my terminal after returning the car?

Not if you return on your departure side: Terminals A and B are within walking distance of Garages A and B, and Terminal C of its garage. From the other side, the Terminal Link train takes 4 minutes.

Which terminal is my airline in?

Avelo, Frontier and Southwest use Terminal A. Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Sun Country and United use Terminal B. JetBlue and British Airways use Terminal C.

How early should I return my rental car at MCO?

The airport authority recommends being at the security checkpoint 2 hours before departure. Add your return and walk time on top.

Returning your car: full guideCompare rental companies

Sources