Getting There

By Plane

The Major Airlines

Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com) and Southwest Airlines (tel. 800/435-9792; www.southwest.com) account for a large share of the flights of the flights in and out of the Orlando International Airport.

Other carriers include Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262; www.aircanada.ca), America West (tel. 800/235-9292; www.americawest.com), American (tel. 800/433-7300; www.americanair.com), British Airways (tel. 800/247-9297; www.british-airways.com), Continental (tel. 800/525-0280; www.continental.com), Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525; www.nwa.com), United Airlines (tel. 800/241-6522; www.united.com), and US Airways (tel. 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com), to name a few.

Several so-called no-frills airlines (those offering lower fares but providing few or no amenities) fly to Orlando, including Spirit Air (tel. 800/772-7117; www.spiritair.com). JetBlue Airways (tel. 800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com) is another low-cost carrier that operates out of a number of U.S. cities, and offers direct flights to Orlando out of New York City. The latter has video screens offering 24 TV channels -- a big plus for those traveling with kids.

Ted (tel. 800/225-5833; www.flyted.com), United's younger sibling, is another offshoot airline that frequents Orlando and Central Florida. Tedtunes and movies will entertain the troops.

Orlando's Airports

Orlando International Airport (tel. 407/825-2001; www.state.fl.us/goaa) offers direct or nonstop service from 60 U.S. cities and two-dozen international destinations. Rated one of the top airports in the country, it's a thoroughly modern and user-friendly facility with tons of restaurants, shops, a 446-room on-premises Hyatt Regency Hotel, and centrally located information kiosks. All major car-rental companies are located at or near the airport.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (tel. 407/585-4000; www.orlandosanfordairport.com) is much smaller than the main airport, but it has grown a bit in recent years, thanks mainly to a small fleet of international carriers including Air 2000, Britannia, and Aeropostal. The airport has Avis, Alamo, Dollar, and Hertz rental-car desks on-site and shuttles to Budget and Enterprise. It is also served by Mears Transportation shuttles.

Arriving at the Airport

Immigration & Customs Clearance -- Foreign visitors arriving by air, no matter what the port of entry, should cultivate patience and resignation before setting foot on U.S. soil. U.S. airports have considerably beefed up security clearances in the years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and clearing Customs and Immigration can take as long as 2 hours.

People traveling by air from Canada, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean countries can sometimes clear Customs and Immigration at the point of departure, which is much faster.

Getting into Town from the Airport

Orlando International is 25 miles east of Walt Disney World and 20 miles south of downtown. At rush hour (7-9am and 4-6pm), the drive can be torture and take up to an hour or more; at other times, it's about 30 to 40 minutes depending on your exact destination. Mears Transportation Group (tel. 407/423-5566; www.mearstransportation.com) has vans that shuttle passengers from the airport (you catch them at ground level) to the Disney resorts and official hotels, as well as most other Orlando properties. Their air-conditioned vehicles operate round-the-clock, departing every 15 to 25 minutes in either direction. Rates vary by destination. Round-trip fare for adults is $31 ($20 for kids 4-11) between the airport and International Drive; $43 ($34 for kids 4-11) for Walt Disney World/Lake Buena Vista or West U.S. 192. Children 3 and younger ride free.

Quicksilver Tours and Transportation (tel. 888/468-6939 or 407/299-1434; www.quicksilver-tours.com) is a bit more personal. Their folks greet you at baggage claim with a sign bearing your name -- they'll even help with your luggage. The bonus is a 30-minute grocery stop and free phone call included in the price. While a bit more expensive than Mears, they're coming for you. And they're only going to your resort. This is a good option for four or more people. Rates run from $115 (up to 10 people, round-trip) to I-Drive, $120 to Universal Studios, and $125 for the Disney empire.

Tiffany Towncar (tel. 888/838-2161 or 407/370-2196; www.tiffanytowncar.com) offers a $110 round-trip rate for up to seven people, $120 for up to 10 from Orlando International to I-Drive, Universal, Disney, and U.S. 192. Drivers will meet you right at baggage claim, and a free 30-minute grocery stop is included with the service. Booster and car seats are available upon request (at no charge).

Driving to Walt Disney World -- To get from the airport to the attractions, take the North exit out of the airport to Highway 528 West. Follow signs to I-4; it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Walt Disney World if the traffic isn't too heavy (however you can double that if it is rush hour or if there's an accident). When you get to I-4, follow the signs west toward the attractions. Most Orlando car-rental agencies will provide you with maps that will show how to get to your hotel; be sure and ask for one at the rental counter.

Note: It's always a good idea when you make reservations to ask about transportation options between the airport and your hotel. Also be sure to ask how far you have to travel to pick up and drop off a rental car. Some lots are miles from the airport, and you could potentially spend lots of time waiting in line and catching shuttles before you actually get to the airport on your day of departure.

By Car

Orlando is 436 miles from Atlanta; 1,312 miles from Boston; 1,120 miles from Chicago; 1,009 miles from Cleveland; 1,170 miles from Dallas; 1,114 miles from Detroit; 1,088 miles from New York City; and 1,282 miles from Toronto.

• From Atlanta, take I-75 south to the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.
• From points northeast, take I-95 south to Daytona Beach and I-4 west.
• From Chicago, take I-65 south to Nashville, then I-24 south to I-75, then south on the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.
• From Cleveland, take I-77 south to Columbia, S.C., and then I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.
• From Dallas, take I-20 east to I-49, south to I-10, east to I-75, then south on the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.
• From Detroit, take I-75 south to the Florida Turnpike, then exit on I-4 west.
• From Toronto, take Canadian Route 401 south to Queen Elizabeth Way, then south to I-90 (New York State Thruway), east to I-87 (New York State Thruway), south to I-95 over the George Washington Bridge, then south on I-95 to I-4 west.

AAA (tel. 800/222-1134; www.aaa.com) and other auto club members should call their local offices for maps and optimum driving directions.

By Train

Amtrak trains (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) pull into stations at 1400 Sligh Blvd. in downtown Orlando (23 miles from Walt Disney World), and 111 Dakin Ave. in Kissimmee (15 miles from WDW). There are also stops in Winter Park, 10 miles north of downtown Orlando at 150 W. Morse Blvd.; and in Sanford, 23 miles northeast of downtown Orlando, 800 Persimmon Ave., which is also the end terminal for the Auto Train.

Fares -- As with airline fares, you can occasionally get discounts if you book far in advance. There may be some restrictions on travel dates for discounted fares, mostly around very busy holiday times. Amtrak also offers money-saving packages -- including accommodations (some at WDW resorts), car rentals, tours, and train fare (tel. 800/321-8684).

Amtrak's Auto Train -- This option offers the convenience of bringing your car to Florida without having to drive it all the way. It begins in Lorton, Virginia -- about a 4-hour drive from New York, 2 hours from Philadelphia -- and ends at Sanford, 23 miles northeast of Orlando. (There are no stops in between.) Reserve early for the lowest prices. Fares average $760 ($1,200 with a berth) for two passengers and an auto. Call tel. 800/872-7245 for details.