What’s the best way to get to a cruise port with limited airport access?
Port Canaveral has become one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, welcoming over 4 million cruise passengers in 2022.
Royal Caribbean ships like Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas regularly sail out of this port.
Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, will also begin sailing from Port Canaveral in the summer of 2024.
The port—which also serves cargo and shipping lines—makes 80% of its revenue from cruise business.
It’s a popular location to embark on many exciting cruise adventures.
Read more: Utopia of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more
However, Port Canaveral doesn’t have immediate airport access.
Airports range from 32 to 71 miles away, making it more difficult to travel directly to the port.
If your cruise ship sails out of Port Canaveral, you will have to do your homework to find the best way to get to your cruise.
There are four airports you can fly into to reach Port Canaveral: Orlando Airport (MCO), Melbourne Airport (MLB), Sanford Airport (SFB), and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB).
Here’s a guide on how to choose the best airport for your trip.
Where is Port Canaveral?
Port Canaveral is the maritime gateway to Central Florida.
It is located 45 minutes east of downtown Orlando, on the eastern coast of Florida in Brevard County.
The location makes a cruise from Port Canaveral a great time to stop at the famous theme parks in Orlando. Several parks are located within driving distance, such as:
- Disney World (1 hour and 15 minutes from Port Canaveral)
- Universal Studios (1 hour from Port Canaveral)
- SeaWorld Orlando (55 minutes from Port Canaveral)
- Kennedy Space Center (30 minutes from Port Canaveral)
Access to the Cocoa Beach Pier, just 10 minutes south, also allows you to stop and enjoy the sunshine on a Florida beach.
With the distance between the airports and Port Canaveral, it makes sense to stop for a few days in Florida and appreciate the popular attractions in the area.
Extending your trip by a few days will give you a travel buffer for any mishaps and allow you to enjoy what the Orlando area has to offer.
How do I get to my cruise terminal?
There are a few transportation options between the airport and Port Canaveral.
You could choose a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft, and get dropped off at your cruise terminal.
If you research and book ahead of time, there are also shared or private shuttles that travel from the airport to Port Canaveral.
You can also rent a car at the airport and drive to the cruise terminal yourself.
Port Canaveral is an “L” shape, with a total of 6 cruise ship terminals.
Royal Caribbean ships usually sail out of terminal 1, called CT1. However, some Royal Caribbean ships also use terminal 5 (or CT5).
Make sure you double-check where your ship will be on embarkation day.
To get to Terminal 1, you will need to take exit 54B toward the south side of the port. To get to Terminal 5, you need to take exit 54A to the north side of the port.
Always double-check at each step in your transportation so you don’t miss your ship!
When should I get to my cruise terminal?
The Orlando area—specifically I-4—is infamous for rush-hour traffic, so be sure to budget plenty of travel time from the airport to the port.
You should always plan for your flight to arrive the day before your cruise begins, since a flight the morning of could be delayed or even canceled.
Many reputable hotels close to Port Canaveral make it convenient to stay the night there.
In the morning, you can take advantage of the hotel's shuttle service directly to your cruise terminal.
This is the best way to avoid any delays. Remember that your ship is not required to wait for you, and you don't want to miss your entire vacation!
For your return flight, it’s recommended that you book your flight home after noon on the day of disembarkation.
Cruise ships return to the port early in the morning and usually start disembarkation by 7 A.M. However, it can still take 2-3 hours for everyone to get off the ship.
You could get off anywhere between 8-10 A.M., but delays are always possible.
Once you factor in travel time to the airport, plus check-in and security screening, it’s easy to see how an afternoon flight will give you the most peace of mind.
I would always rather wait in the airport hours before my booked flight than miss it altogether.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
The most popular and convenient airport in the Port Canaveral area is the Orlando International Airport (MCO).
MCO is located 45 minutes, or approximately 44 miles west of Port Canaveral.
It is one of the busiest airports in the country, with major service to the city of Orlando and its surrounding theme parks.
This means that MCO offers the highest number of options when it comes to airline and flight service.
However, it can also become very congested, with longer wait times.
Security wait times range anywhere from 10 to 50 minutes, depending on the day and number of planes in the airport.
Even if you are flying domestically, we recommend that you get to the Orlando International Airport at least 3 hours before your flight.
You have a few options for your 45-minute drive from MCO to Port Canaveral.
A rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft, ranges from $60 to $90. However, prices can vary greatly depending on the time and availability of drivers.
You can also book a shared shuttle service, like Go Port Canaveral or Port to Port Shuttles, ahead of time. These services usually cost (per person) $25 to $30 one way, or $50 to $60 round-trip.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB)
Melbourne International Airport is the closest one to Port Canaveral, but also one of the smallest.
MLB is 25 miles south of Port Canaveral, but a drive still takes almost the same amount of travel time as MCO. Depending on traffic, it takes 40-45 minutes to get to Port Canaveral from MLB.
Only five domestic airlines service this airport; American Airlines, Avelo, Allegiant, Delta Airlines, and Sun Country.
Options might be slim when it comes to flying into MLB. You’ll want to do your research carefully before choosing an airport and flight time.
However, a benefit to the small size means that this airport will be less crowded, and take up less of your time at security and check-in.
Because of the size of the airport, there also aren’t as many shuttle options available.
Plan ahead by looking at the cost of Uber and Lyft in the area. Uber’s website currently lists a ride from MLB to Port Canaveral at $62 with an Uber X and $78 with an Uber XL.
Orlando/Sanford International Airport (SFB)
The Sanford International Airport is approximately 64 miles northwest of Port Canaveral. Travel time takes one hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
Although smaller and further away than Orlando International Airport, SFB offers a few discount flight options.
SFB mainly features flights from Allegiant Airlines, Flair Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines.
Allegiant Airlines will be your best bet if you’re flying into SFB for a cruise. They offer cheap, domestic flights from many cities in the U.S.
Rideshare transport from SFB to Port Canaveral ranges from $65 to $90. Again, these prices are subject to change and can vary greatly.
Shuttle services are still going to run cheaper. For example, Port Canaveral Quick Shuttle offers one-way rides for $40, or $80 round trip.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
Daytona Beach International Airport is the furthest airport on this list, located 71 miles from Port Canaveral. Travel time takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Daytona Beach International Airport mainly offers domestic flights with Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Avelo Airlines.
There are no shared shuttle services from DAB to Port Canaveral.
Your best bet is a rideshare app. Uber rides start at $100 and can go up to $150 or even $200 depending on the time, availability, and type.
Can I drive to Port Canaveral?
Driving your own vehicle is a great way to save money on transportation to the port.
However, when you arrive you will have to park your car. Port Canaveral offers convenient parking with plenty of spaces, but it runs a little pricey.
Currently, parking costs $17 per day, including the days of arrival and departure. The terminal accepts major credit cards but not cash.
The terminal parking lots open at 10 A.M. for embarking passengers, so you can easily park and get directly onboard.
