How to Get Around Universal Orlando

Is it easy to get around the Universal Orlando theme parks? Do you need to make reservations or purchase tickets? In this guide to Universal Orlando transportation I will share all the details for how to use the transportation at Universal Orlando.

When taking a Universal Orlando vacation you don’t need to worry about how you will get to and from the theme parks and your hotel. Universal Orlando offers transportation to guests staying on property at any of the Universal Orlando hotels.

These transportation options take guests to Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay

This is included in your stay as a guest at the resort and it is a convenient way to get to and from the parks. We have stayed at resorts that have walking access, shuttle bus, and water taxi transportation to the parks and today we are going to share the ins and outs with you.

Insider Tip: Purchase tickets before you arrive to get the best deal and save time!

Universal Orlando Transportation

There are 11 resorts on property at Universal Orlando. All of them offer complimentary transportation to the theme parks.

They fall into three categories: Signature Collection (SC), Prime Value Hotels (PVH), and Value Inn & Suites (V).

• Hard Rock Hotel (SC): Short Walk, water taxi, shuttle bus. Hard Rock Hotel is the closest hotel to Universal Studios Florida.
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (SC): Short Walk, water taxi, shuttle bus.
• Universal Helios Grand Hotel (SC): Entrance to Epic Universe connected to hotel, shuttle bus to other parks
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort (SC): Walk (15+ minutes), water taxis, shuttle bus
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (SC): Walk (15+minutes), water taxis, shuttle bus
• Universal Aventura Hotel (PVH): Walk (15-20+ minutes), shuttle bus
• Universal Stella Nova Resort (PVH): Shuttle bus, walk to Epic Universe (15 minutes)
• Universal Terra Luna Resort (PVH): Shuttle bus, walk to Epic Universe (15 minutes)
• Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort (V): Walking path (20+ minutes), shuttle bus
• Universal Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn & Suites (V): shuttle bus
• Universal Endless Summer Resort: Surfside Inn & Suites (V): shuttle bus

Universal Orlando Shuttle Bus

Every hotel at Universal offers shuttle bus service and they are a convenient way to get around the resort.

If you are visiting Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk or Volcano Bay and take the bus you will be dropped at the same spot to go through security.

Epic Universe has a different bus that goes to Epic Universe.

Now that Epic Universe is open the bus ride from the Epic Universe Hotels to the main Universal Orlando hub is a bit longer than you may be used to. It will be the same duration if you are staying at one of the hotels closer to the main hub and going to Epic Universe.

At the Prime Value and Value resorts, where we typically stay, we have had positive experiences with the buses. There never seems to be much more than a 5 minute wait for the next bus to pick people up.

At park closing time the wait to get back to the hotel can take a little longer but overall the buses are efficient and a positive experience.

You do not need to use the shuttle bus at the hotels within walking distance to the parks. When we stayed at Hard Rock Hotel we never even saw a bus because the walking path is so convenient.

If you are staying at Helios Grand you will take the shuttle bus to the main hub and use the designated entrance to Epic Universe.

Universal Orlando Water Taxis

The water taxis will take guests from Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific and Sapphire Falls. It is a pretty ride along the water canals that flow through CityWalk and around the resort.

There are designated water taxi pick-ups at CityWalk and at the resorts that offer water taxis.

In my opinion water taxis are the slowest way to get around the resort but if there is little to no wait and you are not in a rush it can be a nice way to get around.

Can you Walk to the Parks from Universal Hotels and Resorts?

You can use the garden walk walking paths from many of the Universal Hotels but not all and some walks are much longer than others.

If you are walking from Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay you will have a short walk to Universal Studios Florida, Universal CityWalk, and Islands of Adventure. This takes less than 10 minutes.

If you are walking from the resorts along the garden path like Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls, Aventura, and Cabana Bay Beach Resort it will take on average 20 minutes or more. The walk is very lovely along the water but if you have tired legs or small kids it might not be the best option.

The walking path has guests arriving at the side of Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville before guests go over the bridge to Islands of Adventure.

A big perk to walking is guests have a designated security check entrance that is much less busier than the main entrance to the parks.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers a guest entrance to Epic Universe. The hotel will overlook the theme park. This will be the shortest walk from resort to park entrance at the Universal Orlando Resort. Guests staying at Stella Nova or Terra Luna can walk to Epic Universe or take the shuttle bus.

How to Get to Universal Orlando from Orlando International Airport?

We talked a lot about getting around Universal Orlando but what about getting to Universal from the airport.

This is a personal preference because you can book an Uber/Lyft/Taxi, reserve Mears, or take public transportation. We have never done public transportation but it is the least expensive option.

Uber and Mears are pretty comparable for a family of 5 wanting to get from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Universal. The ride is around 25 minutes and costs around $60.00 for an XL car. These prices and duration fluctuate depending on time of day.

Overall we found Uber/Lyft to be the best option for us. (Prices will fluctuate widely depending on time of day)

Do you need a car when visiting Universal Orlando?

You do not need a car when visiting Universal Orlando if you rely on the transportation at Universal and Uber/Lyft from the airport.

If you are staying at a Universal hotel you will have a nightly parking rate for the car. Be sure to factor this into your budget when deciding if renting a car is worth it.

• Signature Collection $36.00+/night self parking
• Prime Value Hotels and Value Inn & Suites $26.00/night

Do you need to make reservations for transportation at Universal Orlando?

You do not need to make reservations for any of the Universal Orlando transportation options and it is free to all guests. If you need transportation to/from the airport research ahead of time the best option and make reservations as needed.

Overall the transportation options at Universal enhance your vacation. They allow guests to stay inside the bubble and not worry about traffic or parking. It is a great perk worth taking advantage of.