As beautiful as Terminal C at Orlando International Airport is, you may know that it isn’t the easiest to travel through after hours. Find out what big improvement is coming and when.
Terminal C
Terminal C is the newest terminal to open. According to the MCO website, Terminal C brings a new level of customer convenience and amenities to MCO:
- Adjacent to MCO’s Train Station with Brightline inter-city rail service to south Florida that began in 2023
- Up to 20 aircraft at 15 gates, accommodating both domestic and international flights
- Facial recognition technology which provides faster and more secure boarding
- Security screening lanes feature an automated bin return system
- Checked bags are fed into an RFID Tote Baggage Handling System for efficient tracking
- International arrivals are “Bags First” – passengers retrieve their checked bags before proceeding to U.S. Customs and Immigration
- 23 food and beverage options and a variety of shops
Travelers must take either the Terminal Link or a shuttle bus to travel between Terminals A/B (Main Terminal) to Terminal C.
Level 1 is ground transportation and shuttles. Then, Level 2 is where you will depart – check-in, security, etc. On Level 4 (there’s no Level 3), you will find Parking Garage C and the Terminal Link to Terminals A and B. Finally, Level 6 is arrivals – bag claim, customs, and immigration.
Unfortunately, Terminal C’s rental car operations do not run 24 hours like the Main Terminals. This leaves travelers coming in at off hours to make the long and often HOT trek to Terminals A and B.
Traveling Between Terminal C and Main Terminals
Currently, travelers have two options on how to get from Terminal C to the Main Terminals. These options are:
- The Terminal Link (APM) operates 24 hours per day, but requires a walk of approximately 1,200 feet, from Terminal C, Level 4 through Parking Garage C to the Train Station
- The shuttle bus service operates 24 hours a day. Pick-up and drop-off is at:
- Terminal B: Level 1 (Ground Transportation) at Space B29
- Terminal C: Level 1 (Ground Transportation) at Space C276
Which Mode of Transportation is Faster?
On my most recent visit to Orlando Airport, I traveled in and out of Terminal C. Because of my arrival time, the rental car counter in Terminal C was closed. Luckily, it was not hot, but this trek would be challenging and exhausting in the heat.
As it was my first time navigating Terminal C and very late at night, I saw airport employees and asked what my best way to get to the Main Terminals was.
Per airport employees, the shuttle bus is easier and comes more frequently than the Terminal Link (APM) and was recommended for ease of use due to the long walk to the Terminal Link.
I was a little surprised by the response, I initially would have thought that the Terminal Link would be the fastest, however, they suggested otherwise. I was told to take the shuttle bus as it comes more frequently than the Terminal Link and is less of a walk to get there.
From the baggage claim the walk was not too long to the bus stop and everything was labeled well. I had a relative opt to do the Terminal Link, she said it was much longer than she had expected. Travelers need to walk through the open-air parking garage to reach the Terminal Link.
On arrival at the Main Terminal, the bus stop was located right outside the parking and rental car garage for Terminal B. It felt much easier than navigating through the Main Terminals from the Terminal Link to get out to the rental cars.
Pedestrian Walkway Coming SOON!
Unfortunately, when Terminal C was first built, there was supposed to be a pedestrian walkway/bridge connecting the Terminal to the Terminal Link. This bridge was removed from the plans due to cut costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pedestrian bridge will have moving walkways and easily connect Terminal C to the Terminal Link along with car rental counters.
For those who choose to use the Terminal Link, navigating through the parking garage can be difficult as the rubber expansion joints make pulling suitcases, strollers, or anything with small wheels a challenge.
The pedestrian bridge will be enclosed and AIR CONDITIONED along with moving sidewalks! The bridge is set to be completed in mid-April! This is great news as even though the official Spring Break travel will be over, many will be traveling for Easter.
Construction will continue even after the bridge is open because the car rental lobby will not be completed. Orlando Airport has not shared if the shuttle buses will continue once the walkway is open, but until then, it may be your easiest way for the next few weeks.
No matter which way you use to navigate from Terminal C to the Main Terminals be prepared for a lot of elevator or escalator use. I felt that there was a lot of up and down navigating through the Terminal compared to the Main Terminals.
Are you excited to see this new pedestrian bridge link Terminal C to the Terminal Link making it easier to get to the main terminals? Have you traveled through Terminal C? Do you find it challenging to get from the Main Terminals to Terminal C? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post with your friends!
Source: ClickOrlando.com
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