How to Plan the Best Miami to Orlando Day Trip
Updated: January 3, 2026
I’ve lived in Miami for nearly 10 years, and I’ve taken more trips to Orlando than I can count.
While I usually opt to spend the night in Orlando because it’s a fantastic city with tons to do there, many of my adventures have been day trips — especially in my 20s.
However, there are a couple of different ways to get there, and some are definitely smoother than others. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the most popular ways to take a Miami to Orlando day trip (and show you my favorite!)
How to Get from Miami to Orlando
There are 5 main ways to travel between Miami and Orlando on a day trip, and each comes with its own pros and cons. I’ve traveled using most of these methods, so I’ll be relying on my personal experience to explain which one might be best for different types of travelers.
1. Driving
Great for: Friend groups who can share driving responsibilities, budget travelers, families
Without a doubt, driving from Miami to Orlando is one of the best ways to travel on a day trip — but be warned, it’s not for everyone.
When I was working remotely in my mid 20s and had a season pass to Universal, a bunch of us would pile into my friend’s Chevrolet and drive up to Orlando in the wee hours of the morning. We’d spend the day racing through the park only to drive back home late at night after closing.
It was exhausting (and definitely not something I could do now in my 30’s) but so, so fun.
Orlando is approximately 236 mi. (379.8 km) from Miami, and it can take anywhere between 3.5-4.5 hours to make it to Disney World and Universal Studios. If you leave early enough, you can make it there in time for the parks to open.
You’ll be driving through rush hour traffic, but of all the times I’ve traveled from Orlando to Miami, I’ve never had that seriously impact my travel time.
However, there are some major costs to consider if you plan to drive on your Miami to Orlando day trip. I usually take the turnpike because it’s quicker, but you have to pay tolls. It’s easy to do this with SunPass, but the costs add up, along with gas, snacks, etc. Additionally, if you’re visiting one of the Orlando theme parks, you’ll have to pay to park. I’ve never been to Disney (gasp!) but Universal costs around $32 to park for the day.
But there’s really no way around it, so I’ve always found driving from Miami to Orlando to be the cheapest option, especially when I’m traveling with my godkids.
Like a Local: If you’re renting a car or you’re not from Florida, make sure you have a SunPass before you make the drive. Taking the turnpike is significantly quicker than I-95 (and it has nice rest areas along the way), but you’ll have to pay tolls.
2. Brightline
Great for: Solo travelers, vacationers with a higher budget, people who love train travel
A few years ago, they opened a Brightline route from Miami to Orlando. The ride takes around 3.5 hours. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay anywhere $45+ per person, per one-way ticket. The earliest train I found leaves Miami at 5:45 in the morning, which means you’d make it to Orlando just after 9 when the parks usually open.
I’ve taken the Brightline from Miami to Orlando before, and the train was clean, comfortable and convenient. If you don’t want to sit in traffic and are willing to pay for the peace of not driving in Florida traffic, it could be worth the price.
If you choose to go with this option, you’d still have to pay for an Uber, Lyft or bus from the Brightline train station to the park you’re visiting. The station is located at Orlando International Airport (MCO), and, depending on price surges and when you arrive, your ride share costs to/from the airport could easily cost more than the parking fee at either of the parks.
While the Brightline is nice, I wouldn’t recommend taking it for an Orlando day trip, either as a solo traveler or with my godkids. There are cheaper options — some of which might surprise you.
Like a Local: On my last day trip from Miami to Orlando, I flew into MCO and took the city bus from MCO to Epic Universe. It cost around $2 each way and was reliable. However, when I told locals about this, they said the bus can be dangerous and they’re surprised I took it. I didn’t have any problems, though — even as a solo female traveler.
3. Amtrak
Great for: Travelers spending more than a day in Orlando
Before there was Brightline, we had Amtrak. This Miami to Orlando train generally takes around 5 hours and 15 minutes, which makes it the longest commute time of all the options available.
I’d hate spending 5 hours commuting each way for a day trip, so I definitely can’t recommend Amtrak as a viable option for your adventures.
However, if you plan on spending a substantial amount of time in Orlando and want to travel by Amtrak in Florida, it’s occasionally cheaper than Brightline.
While researching this article, I found mid-day, one-way tickets as low as $21. If you plan on spending 3-4 days in Orlando or want to hit up multiple parks on your trip, Amtrak could be a fun way to get there.
4. Flying
Great for: Solo travelers, budget travelers, families who want to maximize time in parks
Last May, I had to go to Orlando so I could review Universal’s new Epic Universe. I needed to get back that same day and didn’t want to drive. I knew I’d be tired from exploring the parks all day and driving back at night would be terrible, so I booked a flight on Spirit instead.
It was an absolute game changer.
I flew out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and my round-trip flight cost a little less than $100. I booked my ticket last-minute, but you can easily find round-trip Spirit or Southwest fares for $60-$70 if you book in advance.
Beyond the cost of my flight, I paid $20 to park my car at the Cypress Garage at the airport for the day. Off-site parking is much cheaper, but since my flight was early in the morning and I wouldn’t get back until late, I paid extra for convenience.
Once I landed at MCO, I took the 42 bus from the airport to Epic Universe, and I paid $4 for the round-trip bus fare. The bus dropped me off right at the parking lot. I’ve taken some buses that drop you off in the middle of nowhere, so this was definitely a welcome change.
The flight time from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando was only about an hour. I left FLL at 6:00 a.m. and landed at MCO a little after 7 a.m. I’ve also seen FLL to MCO flights leaving between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., so you could choose a later flight if you wanted and still reach the parks when they open.
If you only plan on visiting the parks during your Miami to Orlando day trip, I definitely recommend flying. It’s a great way to make the most out of your budget and your time on your Florida vacation.
5. Tours
There are a few different Miami to Orlando day trip packages you can book, but since I live in Miami and have access to my own car, I haven’t tried them yet. I’ve done a few Miami to Key West tours, but the ones to Orlando seem a little too rushed for my liking.
Since I haven’t booked one of these packages before, I can’t personally recommend any. However, if you want to book a Miami to Orlando day trip tour, these two seem to be the most popular:
Like a Local: If you book one of these tours, make sure you’re not just paying for transportation, but park admission, too. You might be able to find a good deal.
Top Attractions for a Day Trip from Miami to Orlando
Universal Studios
I’m a huge Universal fan. Whether visiting on my own or chaperoning field trips there as a teacher, I’ve been to the parks more times than I can count.
It’s definitely possible to take a Miami to Universal Studios day trip, but you won’t be able to see everything in a single day. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are connected via a walkway and the Hogwarts Express, so it’s easy to travel from one to the other in a single day.
However, if you want to visit Epic Universe, I really think it needs its own day. It’s a little far from the other Universal parks, and you’d have to shuttle to it, which can eat up a lot of your time if you’re visiting on a particularly busy day.
I’m not a big water park fan, so I haven’t been to Volcano Bay, but I’d say it needs its own day, too.
I love roller coasters and thrill rides, so if you plan on making the day trip to Universal, here are some of my favorite rides you can’t miss:
- Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure (Islands of Adventure)
- The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster (Islands of Adventure)
- Revenge of the Mummy (Universal Studios Florida)
- Stardust Racers (Epic Universe)
Like a Local: If you want to beat the lines, you can buy an Express Pass so you can do more at Universal during your day trip. However, there are some limitations to which rides you can use it for, so make sure it works for your must-see rides before you buy.
Walt Disney World
Confession time: I’ve lived in Florida for years now, but I’ve never been to Disney. It’s on my list of places to visit, but, honestly, I haven’t been able to justify the cost.
Since I haven’t taken a day trip from Miami to Disney World, I can’t personally comment on the best way to make it happen. However, based on my own research, I’d focus on visiting one of the parks during my day. Here are some of the ones you can choose from:
I’ll make it to Disney some day, and when I do, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are first on my list.
Tips for a Successful Miami to Orlando Day Trip
- Decide how much your time is worth. You only have a day in Orlando, so make the most of it. If your budget allows, it’s okay to splurge on time-savers like a Lyft to the park instead of taking the bus so you can get on more rides. Give yourself permission to enjoy.
- Pack only what you’re willing to carry. Unless you pay for lockers at the parks, which can be expensive, you’ll be toting around whatever you bring with you all day. Keep it light.
- Take breaks. It’s important to stay energized throughout the day. Sit down when you need to so you can make it through your whole day of adventure.
- Drink lots of water. I’m preaching to myself with this one, but staying hydrated is critical. It’s hot in Florida, and you’ll be in the sun all day. Drink more water than you think you need, and pack sunscreen!
- Budget for snacks and drinks. Since you’re not bringing a lot of stuff with you, you’ll likely have to buy food or drinks at the park. Budget for this so it doesn’t catch you off guard and ruin your trip.
- Be ready for any type of weather. Florida weather is notoriously finicky. Sunshine can become rain showers without any notice, so be flexible with your plans in case Mother Nature has something surprising scheduled.
Pros & Cons of a Miami to Orlando Day Trip
While I love a good day trip, this one from Miami to Orlando isn’t for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider before booking your trip:
Pros:
- Good for solo travelers and couples
- Great for travelers with limited time in Florida
- Fun way to see the park during your Miami vacation
- Tons of flights and trains to get you to Orlando quickly
Cons:
- Not the best for young kids
- The full day can be exhausting
- Can feel rushed if you prefer slow travel
- Not really enough time to explore multiple parks
Summary
Planning a day trip from Miami to Orlando can be a fun way to see both cities during your vacation. While you’ll have to plan your itinerary and budget your time carefully, it’s more than possible to spend the day exploring Disney World or Universal and still make it back to Miami at night.
Have questions about your upcoming Miami to Orlando day trip? Share them in the comments below! I respond to each one.
