Metered cabs line up 24/7 outside Terminals A, B, and C
Taxi Queue at MCO runs round-the-clock, so if your flight lands at 02:15 or your bag finally hits the carousel at 23:40, you still walk straight to a marked metered cab. Taxis line up on Level 1 (Ground Transportation) outside Terminals A and B, and at Arrivals curbside at Terminal C, all under airport supervision, with no app or pre-booking needed.
From MCO to a typical International Drive hotel along SR-528, metered fares usually sit in the $45–$60 range before tip, and rides to Walt Disney World often fall between $65–$85 depending on traffic and which resort gate you stop at. You pay what the meter shows plus optional tip, and most cabs accept credit cards along with cash, but it’s still smart to carry a $20 bill in case a single terminal is down.
Orlando-licensed airport taxis use flat per-mile rates set by the city, and the meter starts with a fixed drop charge that’s usually under $3. You won’t pay surge pricing at 23:00 after a line of delayed arrivals comes in, and you see the running fare on the dash from 0.00 up to the final total as you exit SR-417 or I-4 toward your hotel or rental home.
For pickup, follow Ground Transportation signs from baggage claim in Terminals A and B to Level 1, then look for the numbered taxi stands near doors 1–4 and 20–23, which staff often group by company. At Terminal C, walk out from Arrivals and follow “Taxis” signs to the curb where dispatchers funnel you into the next cab in the queue, so you’re typically rolling within 5–10 minutes unless an entire 777 just unloaded ahead of you.
Ride time runs about 20–30 minutes to hotels near the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive via SR-528, and 25–35 minutes to most Disney-area resorts via SR-417 or I-4, traffic willing. For downtown Orlando around Orange Avenue, plan on 20–25 minutes in lighter traffic and up to 35 minutes if you land around the 17:00 rush.
Practical tip: Before the driver pulls away from MCO, confirm the estimated fare range to your exact address and check that the meter starts near the standard drop amount (around a couple of dollars rather than $15+) so any fare dispute is solved in the first 30 seconds, not at the hotel door.