Cruise Guide to Port Canaveral Car Rental

A full cruise guide on Port Canaveral car rental with transporting between the Florida port and nearby airports along with vehicle pick up locations.

If you’ve booked a cruise from Port Canaveral cruise port, chances are you’ll be flying into Orlando (MCO) Airport. The cruise port is about 45 miles east of the airport, so the cheapest and most convenient way to reach Port Canaveral cruise terminal is with a car rental from Orlando Airport.

If you are extending your cruise by staying in Port Canaveral before or after your cruise, you will definitely need a car rental to get around. There are so many things to see and do in Port Canaveral, along with exploring beautiful Cocoa Beach and visiting the Orlando theme parks.

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Some hotels near Orlando Airport offer a cruise, park and stay option. You will need a rental car as this option usually involves driving yourself between the hotel and their assigned cruise car parking in Port Canaveral. Check out the details here before deciding for yourself – Things to Know About Port Canaveral Cruise Parking

Our up-to-date information on Port Canaveral car rentals will save you time and money by helping you find the best car rental deals. We compare prices, show distances from the cruise terminal, provide money-saving tips (such as using one-way car rentals) and we suggest different types of vehicle rental including vans, convertibles and limos.

Please note that car rental prices vary greatly depending on the size of vehicle, duration and demand for your chosen date/s. Prices quoted are for comparison purposes only and are for an economy vehicle in early March (high season) for one day.

Port Canaveral Car Rental Locations

It makes sense to choose a car rental company close to Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal. That way you only have a short transfer time to and from the cruise ship. Some Port Canaveral car rentals are within walking distance if you don’t have too much baggage.

Most car rental companies in Port Canaveral offer a shuttle bus to and from the port during the hours of embarkation/check-in and disembarkation (usually 10 am to 4 pm)

The closest Port Canaveral car rental companies to the cruise terminals are based in the Enterprise-National-Alamo building. It is a 10-minute walk from Terminal 1 if you don’t want to wait in line for a shuttle bus.

Enterprise, National and Alamo – 0.5 miles from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 1

These three major car rental companies operate from a shared office close to the cruise terminal. They have the largest parking area and offer fast pick-up and drop-off. Use the shuttle bus provided or walk to the office.

Enterprise Car Rental Port Canaveral from $61.99 per day. Vehicles include economy, compact, full size, SUVs, convertibles, pickups, hybrids and minivans for 7-15 passengers. The company offers courtesy shuttle buses to and from the cruise terminals. They also offer one-way rentals if you want to drop the vehicle at the airport. They also accept after-hours returns by prior arrangement.

National and Alamo Port Canaveral car rentals share the same building as Enterprise on Mullett Rd and have vehicles from $63.99 per day. They both have a full range of vehicles to suit your needs with the same services as Enterprise Port Canaveral.

Hertz – 1 mile from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 1

Located on Astronaut Blvd in Cape Canaveral, Hertz offers a courtesy shuttle service to and from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminals between 7.30am and 3.30pm daily. Car rental prices start at $51.48 per day.

They offer a range of intermediate, full size and premium vehicles, SUVs, Ford Mustang convertibles and 7-12 passenger minivans. Pick up and drop off service available within a 15-minute radius and after hours drop-off is available.

Dollar and Thrifty – 2.6 miles from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 1

Dollar car rental is located at 6799 North Atlantic Ave in Cape Canaveral. Rates are from $41.34 for a Manager’s Special (they pick the car) or choose from economy, compact, mid-size, full size, premium, luxury, SUV, convertible or minivan.

Optional extra services include children’s car seats, Sirius XM satellite radio, PlatePass tolls and in-car Wi-Fi. The office is also the home of Thrifty car rental which offers a similar choice of rides from $43.99 for a Wild Card (they pick the vehicle from compact or larger). These companies share a courtesy pick-up bus service to and from the cruise terminal.

Avis – 2.6 mile from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 1

Conveniently close to Port Canaveral cruise terminal, Avis is at 6650 North Atlantic Ave in Port Canaveral. It operates daily from 7.30 to 4 pm with shuttle services to the cruise port. The journey takes about 8 minutes. Prices for Avis Port Canaveral car rentals start at $44.99 for an economy car up to $204 for a Select Jaguar F-Pace or similar.

Port Canaveral Tips for Florida Cruises

*Cheapest Port Canaveral Car Rental*

Budget – 1.6 miles from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 1

Book online for the best rates with Budget Port Canaveral car rentals which start at $43.99 for an economy vehicle. They have a full range of sedans, SUVs, pickup, convertibles and minivans for groups of all sizes. Located on Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, the shuttle pick-up/drop-off service to the cruise port takes about 6 minutes. Budget has no after-hours returns service but is open 8 am to 4 pm daily and until 6 pm on weekends.

Tips for One-Way Car Rental to and from Port Canaveral

There’s no need to pay for parking for your rental car during your cruise. Simply opt for a one-way car rental from the airport to Port Canaveral. There is usually a surcharge for a different drop-off location, but it still works out cheaper than renting a car for a week and then paying for cruise parking.

On your return, disembarkation is usually early so you have plenty of time to pick up another pre-booked one-way Port Canaveral car rental and drive to Orlando Airport for your afternoon/evening flight. Having a vehicle also gives you somewhere to store your baggage securely while shopping, sightseeing or stopping for refreshments.

Car Rental from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal

Most car rental companies have a desk within Orlando Airport in the Ground Transportation area. Once you have completed the paperwork, follow the signs and take the escalator down to the undercover parking lot.

For a speedier service in the airport, join the loyalty program with Hertz, Avis, Budget or National and opt for the express pickup service. This avoids you having to wait in line at the counter.

Once you have picked up your Orlando airport car rental, the drive to Port Canaveral takes about 45 minutes. Make sure you check the box for a different drop-off at Port Canaveral and check that the office has a free shuttle to Port Canaveral cruise terminal.

Avis Orlando Airport

Avis Orlando Airport offers vehicles from $31.76 per day for car rentals prebooked online and prepaid. If you go directly to the airport counter without pre-booking a vehicle, prices start from $47 per day.

Booking ahead online represents quite a saving on your Port Canaveral car rental! They have a full choice of vehicles in all sizes and models from Ford Fiesta economy to Mercedes GLS450 or similar. Go on – spoil yourself and arrive at Port Canaveral cruise port in style!

Budget

Budget is the only car rental at Orlando Airport that has off-site car rentals so you need to use the courtesy bus from the kerbside to reach the office/pick-up point. However, the off-site location ensures that Budget car rental prices are the lowest.

Economy car rentals start at $29.70 for a one-day car rental with a pre-paid booking. Upgrade to a mid-size, full size, SUV, pick-up truck, coupe, premium or luxury car for a little extra and enjoy the ride in comfort.

Budget also offers fun Compact Recreational Vehicles such as a Jeep Wrangler – the perfect vehicle if you plan to explore the area before or after your cruise.

Dollar

Pick up your Port Canaveral car rental from Dollar at Orlando Airport with prices from $31.32 for a compact vehicle such as a Nissan Versa. It’s worth looking at their City Special to get special rates on larger vehicles when available. Mid-size, full size, open-air Jeeps and vans are also available.

Enterprise

Opt for low-cost car rentals to Port Canaveral with a pick up from Enterprise Orlando Airport. Prices start from $37.99 per day for an economy vehicle right up to $73.19 for a Sporty Dodge Challenger, $199 for a Performance Sports Car and $78-$139 for a multi-passenger minivan.

Hertz

Hertz Orlando Airport offers great customer service and self-drive car rentals to Port Canaveral from $51.08 for a compact Ford Focus or similar. Their fleet includes intermediate, premium, SUVs, passenger vans and luxury muscle cars such as the Mustang GT from $86.20 per day. It’s a great way to get to your Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal in style!

National

National car rentals Orlando Airport offers a 24/7 service for those requiring car rentals to Port Canaveral cruise port. Prices start from $47.55 per day. There will be a small surcharge for drop off in Port Canaveral but it saves on expensive cruise parking while you are away. National has an impressive fleet of cars to suit all budgets and sizes.

Port Canaveral Cruise Parking
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive

*Cheapest Car Rental from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral*

EZ Rent-a-Car

Discount car rental EZ offers budget car rentals from Orlando International Airport from just $24.94 per day. Get a quote for a compact, full size, intermediate, SUV or minivan if you need more passenger or baggage space.

Getting from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral

Driving your car rental to Port Canaveral from Orlando International Airport is very straightforward and easy. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

Follow signs to the 528 (toll road) east for 43 miles. Then take the exit at Dave Nisbet Dr and follow signs to Port Canaveral cruise port. If you have opted for a one-way car rental, make sure you know the drop-off location of your chosen car rental company. Most car rentals in Port Canaveral offer a courtesy shuttle bus to and from the cruise terminal for passengers and their baggage.

Port Canaveral Car Rental From Sanford Airport

You can save money by flying into Sanford Orlando (SFB) Airport and opting for a low cost car rental to Port Canaveral.

The following car rental companies have offices at Sanford Airport. The drive to Port Canaveral is about 60 miles and takes about one hour via the I-95 and 528 (Toll road) East.

Opt for a one-way car rental to Port Canaveral and find the best drop-off location close to the cruise port with a courtesy shuttle bus.

Alamo

Alamo car rentals to Port Canaveral start from $47 per day for a VW Up or similar economy vehicle. Offices are open from 8.30 am to 11 pm daily to accommodate your flight arrival and departure times.

Dollar

Pick up your Dollar Port Canaveral car rental from Sanford Airport and pay as little as $26.39 for a one-day car rental. There will be additional charges for a drop off at a different location (such as Port Canaveral cruise port) but it will be cheaper than paying for cruise car parking during your cruise.

Enterprise

Enterprise Sanford International Airport offers car rentals from $37.99 for an economy Mitsubishi Mirage or similar.

Hertz

Check out Hertz Sanford Airport for your Port Canaveral car rental. Prices are from $37.82 per day for a Mazda C-class or similar. Full size, SUV, premium, luxury and minivans are also available if you book in advance.

*Cheapest Port Canaveral Car Rental From Sanford Airport*

Budget

Budget car rentals from Sanford Airport start from $22.62 for an economy vehicle. Larger sedans, full size, convertible, pick-ups and passenger vans can also accommodate up to 15 passengers heading to Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal.

Also Read: What to Know About Miami Cruise Port Car Rental

Now you have all the information at your fingertips you can make an informed choice when booking your Port Canaveral car rental. We hope we have helped you save time and money by using our information. Bon voyage!

Gillian Birch
Gillian Birchhttps://www.cruisehive.com/author/gillian

Gillian Birch is a full-time travel writer and author of 12 travel books. British educated with a diploma in journalism she has traveled the world, writing about her experiences with wonderful clarity and eyewitness detail. She uses her personal journals and memories to write about her many cruise experiences around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, trans-Atlantic, Norwegian Fjords, Panama Canal and South America including Cape Horn.

Find out more about us here.

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