Orlando City Guide - Getting There By Road

Hire cars are almost omnipresent in Orlando and companies like Alamo, Dollar and National have some of the biggest fleets in the world here. Basic car hire is quite cheap - although various taxes and fees can add considerably to the price. UK nationals must remember to bring both parts of their driving licence if they have a photo licence. Seat belts must be worn at all times, front and back, and child seats must be used for under fives. Local speed limits vary from 55-70mph (88-112kph) on the motorways to as low as 15mph (24kph) in built-up areas (notably near schools).

Florida in general is served by two main motorways - I-95 from the northeast, and I-75 from Canada and the Midwest, both of which run down either coast, plus I-10, which runs the full width of the USA from Los Angeles to link up with I-75. You can reach Orlando from I-95 or I-75 via I-4, which runs east-west through central Florida. Almost all the attractions of Orlando can be reached via I-4, while Highway 192 is the main route immediately to the south serving the Kissimmee area. The (toll) Central Florida GreeneWay (417) then circles a large part of Orlando and is useful for reaching both airports.

Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) offers daily services from Jacksonville and points north, as well as from Miami. American Coach Lines (tel: 1 800 488 6876; website: www.americancoachlines.com) offers charter bus services from Maryland, North Carolina and Georgia to Orlando and Florida.