Parking in Orlando

Florida has a range of EV charging places, there’s one every few blocks. The following are for the traditional petrol cars.

• Church Lot (FL 32812) is open 24/7, close to Orange County Regional History Centre, Lake Eola Park and SAK Comedy Lab.
• City Commons Garage (FL 32801) is open 24/7, close to Dr Phillips Centre for Performing Arts, Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture and City Arts.
• Visit Orlando Parking (FL 32887) is open 24/7, close to SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove.

Key roads in Florida

• The Interstate 4 begins in Tampa, Florida and passes through Orlando to Daytona Beach. It can experience heavy traffic and congestion and is also known as State Road 400.
• The Beachline Expressway gives key access to Orlando International Airport and is great for getting to Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
• Florida’s Turnpike (Toll 91) is a major highway connecting northern Florida with Orlando and terminates in Miami.  

How to get from Orlando to Tampa

It takes around 90 minutes to drive from Orlando to Tampa.

1. Leave the car hire car park at Orlando International Airport and head north on Access Rd. Take the right-hand lane to take the slip road onto FL-258 W – this is a toll road.
2. Take exit 2 on the left towards the Port of Tampa.
3. Keep left and follow signs for W Downtown before merging onto FL-618.
4. Take exit 8 to FL-60/Kennedy Blvd.

How to get from Orlando to Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is just under an hour’s drive from Orlando. Head on to the FL-528 via the slip road to Cocoa (toll road) then continue onto Florida A1A S/Astronaut Blvd.

Best hotels in Orlando

Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista

8501 Palm Parkway, Orlando, Fl 32836-6416

This hotel is just a free shuttle bus journey away from Walt Disney World Resort and has recently gone under a major renovation. With pools to suit everyone in the family and plenty of on-site amenities including restaurants, a coffee shop and a mini-mart, you can sit back and relax during this hotel stay

Aloft Orlando Downtown

500 S Orange Avenue, Orlando, Fl 32801-3708

Close to some of Orlando’s popular non-theme park attractions, this hotel is popular with tourists who are after more of Orlando’s culture than the usual theme parks. With plenty of restaurants nearby including some great Mexican ones, you’ll enjoy the best of Orlando in relaxed and luxurious surroundings.

Hyatt Regency Orlando

9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819-8104

A beautifully modern four-star hotel in a perfect central location for everything Orlando has to offer. Close to theme parks, shopping and nightlife, this will give you a really good base to tour the whole city.

Best restaurants in Orlando

Senor Frog’s Orlando

8747 International Drive, Orlando, Fl 32819-2525

A Mexican American diner that serves food, drinks, and plenty of laughs! With regular music nights, vegan and vegetarian options this restaurant allows you to bring out your wild side whilst eating delicious food!

NYPD Pizza

2589 S Hiawassee Road, Orlando, Fl 32835-6316

No, you haven’t suddenly been transported to NY, you’ve stumbled across NYPD Pizza, a family-friendly pizza place away from the hustle and bustle of various theme parks. Locally sourced ingredients, with a wide range of options for vegans and vegetarians, you’ll find something for everyone at this themed diner.

Ethos Vegan Kitchen

601 S New York Avenue Ste B, Winter Park, FL 32789-4358

A fully vegan restaurant near the museum district of Orlando, perfect for a break after sightseeing. Ethos has brought vegan restaurants into the limelight and come up with a wonderfully varied menu.

Best attractions in Orlando

Kennedy Space Center

Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, Fl 32899

Budding astronauts will have an out of this world experience visiting the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island. With interactive exhibits, moon rocks and veteran astronauts available for talks, this is a must-see for those who love space no matter what their age.

Universal Studios

6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Fl 32819-7640

With multiple rides and attractions based on popular TV shows and films, Universal Studios is high on the list of things to do when in Orlando. It’s not just children who’ll have fun, there’s plenty for adults to get stuck into! Just make sure to check any height restrictions before you go.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

8387 International Drive, Orlando, Fl 32819-9300

This is your chance to be on the red carpet with some of your favourite celebrities! Madame Tussauds has a fantastic range of waxworks including some very special superheroes so you can snap a selfie with Superman or hang out with Wonder Woman.