8 Ways to Enjoy Your Layover at Orlando Airport

Long layovers can spark boredom, frustration or outright cabin fever. Skip all that and turn your spare hours into an adventure with these eight tips from Travel Code.

1. Savor a Meal

With 50-plus eateries, Orlando International (MCO) is a bona-fide food court in disguise. Grab-and-go classics include Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin’, delis and bakeries. Prefer a leisurely bite? Macaroni Grill, Ruby Tuesday and Outback Steakhouse oblige. Hyatt Regency’s Hemispheres boasts runway views, while Cask & Larder delivers farm-to-table flair rarely found airside. Overnight stop? Dunkin’ Express, McDonald’s and Starbucks stay open 24/7 in the main terminal.

2. Escape to a Lounge

Two pay-per-use lounges welcome any traveler, regardless of airline or class. Expect complimentary snacks, drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, shower suites and quiet zones for power naps. Reserve online or flash a lounge-membership card at the desk—details live inside Travel Code’s Orlando Airport Guide.

3. Indulge in Retail Therapy

More than 60 stores await, from newsstands to Duty-Free, tech gadgets to designer sunglasses. Local icons get shelf space too—think Universal, Disney, SeaWorld and NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Prices skew reasonable, so you can window shop guilt-free or splurge without wrecking your card.

4. Get Pampered

XpresSpa and Terminal Gateway Spa provide manicures, pedicures, facials and stress-busting chair, foot or full-body massages. Perfect before a red-eye or after a long trans-con.

5. Explore the Art Scene

MCO doubles as a gallery, hosting permanent installations and rotating exhibits. See how many sculptures, murals and photography displays you can spot between gates.

6. Venture Out for Sightseeing

Seven-hour layover? Head downtown. Lynx Bus 11 leaves Terminal A for just $2, arriving in about 50 minutes. A taxi will halve the ride for a higher fare.

• Harry P. Leu Gardens: 50 acres of roses, palms and camellias.
• Orlando Museum of Art: predates Mickey Mouse, showcases regional works.
• Orlando Science Center: hands-on fun for kids and grown-ups.
• Lake Eola & Thornton Park: swan boats, indie cafés and shady oaks.
• Church Street: downtown’s dining and nightlife hub.

On a shorter, four-to-five-hour stop, hail a cab to Three Points Bowling, ten minutes away, and knock down a few frames—shoe rental included. For more ideas, consult Tripadvisor’s Orlando listings.

7. Log On

Free, unlimited Wi-Fi blankets the terminal. Power outlets hide near almost every gate, so juice up your phone while you scroll.

8. Catch Some Z’s

Pre-security seating consists of hard benches, armchairs and occasional couches. Departures level tends to be chillier than the Car-rental level, so pack layers. Airside you’ll find wooden benches and padded chairs; staying overnight is possible, but be inside before checkpoints close. Earplugs are lifesavers—MCO rarely goes quiet.

If you crave a real bed, the Hyatt Regency sits smack in the terminal with day-use rooms. Nearby off-site properties offer free shuttles—our curated list of airport hotels keeps options at your fingertips.

These are just a few strategies for turning downtime at MCO into a mini-vacation. For gate maps, charging-station locations, luggage storage tips and more, browse the full Travel Code Orlando Airport Guide. Whether you’re hunting affordable flights, planning business travel or comparing nearby stays, Travel Code has you covered from booking to boarding.

Sources: Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, NASA, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, TripAdvisor LLC.