Whether you are a long-time Walt Disney World guest looking to switch your vacation up or you are visiting Orlando for the first time, planning a visit to Universal Orlando Resort poses a lot of questions. Today we will cover Universal Orlando Resort’s resort transportation options.

(Last updated August 17, 2024)

How Do I Get Around Universal Orlando Resort?

The Universal Orlando Resort sits on 750 acres of land bifurcated by Interstate 4, south of the city of Orlando but north of the Walt Disney World resort complex. Guests either park at parking garages and enter the parks through CityWalk or park at their hotels. Guests visiting Epic Universe in 2025 park at the new Epic Universe parking lot or buses from the hotels.

The Universal Orlando parking garages are dual North and South structures that house 19,000 cars. They are massive structures, so note your garage section and level.

The North garage spans five levels in three sections:

• Jaws
• King Kong
• Jurassic Park

The South garage has six floors in three sections:

• Spider-Man
• Cat in the Hat
• E.T.

Pick-up and Drop-Off for personal rides, taxis, and rideshares are located on the fifth floor of the North garage.

Parking Prices (August 2024):

• Regular Parking – $32 per day,
• RV Parking – $42
• Prime Parking – $50-$60
• Valet Parking – $65-$75

The Transportation Rotunda is an elevated open-air lobby with guest services and security for guests arriving from the parking garages and resort buses. The rotunda houses a merchandise shop, snack booth, restrooms, and the security checkpoint to CityWalk and the parks. Buses to Volcano Bay for guest parking or via ride share are located on the bottom floor of the south parking garage. Guests valet parking skip the rotunda and pass through their security checkpoint.

From the rotunda, it is a quick 5-minute walk on the moving walkways to the theme parks.

Buses

The most common means of transportation at Universal, buses run frequently and are quick trips. We have often seen a bus pulling up at our hotel just as another is pulling away. Mears Transportation operates Universal’s buses, the same company that ran Disney’s Magical Express. The buses are large, modern, ADA-accessible, air-conditioned, and feature onboard audio and video.

Departure	Minutes to CW/USF/IOA	Minus to Volcano Bay
Parking Garages	N/A	5
Portofino Bay	5	9
Hard Rock Hotel	4	7
Royal Pacific	5	5
Sapphire Falls	5	4
Aventura	6	N/A
Cabana Bay	7	N/A
Endless Summer	5	8

Cabana Bay and Aventura do not have buses to Volcano Bay as they have walking paths to the park.

Buses do not travel between hotels, instead, use the bus terminal at CityWalk to transfer between resort bus lines.

Water Taxis

Similar to the Friendship boat launches available around the EPCOT resorts, Universal Orlando offers water taxi services from select resorts to CityWalk. Resort boat docks feature their security checkpoints before boarding as guests are dropped off in front of NBC Sports Grill & Brew in CityWalk. From the CityWalk docks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are a 3-minute and 4-minute walk, respectively.

Boats depart every 10 minutes.

Departure	Minutes to CW/USF/IOA Dock
Parking Garage	N/A
Portofino Bay	7
Hard Rock Hotel	3
Royal Pacific	5
Sapphire Falls	6
Aventura	N/A*
Cabana Bay	N/A*
Endless Summer	N/A

*Boat transportation is not available at the resort but the resort is within walking distance to Sapphire Falls. The walk from Aventura to Sapphire Falls boat dock is roughly five minutes; from Cabana Bay, it is roughly 7 to 15 minutes.

Walking

Pump up those kicks, it is time to walk! All the hotels, except Endless Summer, feature walking paths from the hotels to the theme parks. The paths are well-lit, cleaned, patrolled by security, and feature lush foliage. Directional signage along the paths points towards Universal’s attractions and other hotels.

The following walking times are from the hotel lobby to the park entrances, these times might be slightly longer or shorter depending on your room location in the resort.

Departure	Walking Time to CityWalk	Walking Time to Volcano Bay
Parking Garage	5 minutes	32 minutes
Portofino Bay	20 minutes	42 minutes
Hard Rock Hotel	6-9 minutes	33 minutes
Royal Pacific	8-10 minutes	13 minutes
Sapphire Falls	15-17 minutes	7 minutes
Aventura	20-23 minutes	5 minutes
Cabana Bay	25-30 minutes	5 minutes
Endless Summer	N/A	N/A

While it is possible to walk from CityWalk, the Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay to Volcano Bay, it is much quicker to take the complimentary shuttle back to your resort or CityWalk.

Hogwarts Express

Hogwarts Express is an attraction that operates between the two Harry Potter sections of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Guests frequently ask us – “is it quicker to take the Hogwarts Express or walk to the other station?” On average it is quicker to walk between the two stations than to ride the train. It takes 21 minutes to walk between the stations per Google Maps – factor in 4 minutes for exit and entry into the park for 25 minutes overall. Riding the train, from entering the queue to exiting the attraction, is approximately 15 minutes long. The rule of thumb – if the posted wait is 5 minutes or Ride Now then it will save you time, otherwise walking is likely quicker.

Walt Disney World & Orlando International

Transportation to Walt Disney World from Universal Orlando hotels is purchased through the Vacation and/or Concierge desks of your hotel via bus or taxi. If you feel comfortable using ride-sharing apps, a one-way Lyft ride from Universal Orlando Resort to the Magic Kingdom averages around $45 with fees and tips.

Airport transportation is offered through Universal under the Superstar Shuttle program. Prices start at $39 per adult, round trip. Book the Superstar Shuttle by contacting your travel agent, Universal Orlando hotel, or booking through a vacation package.

Have any additional questions about getting around Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments.

(Originally published October 31, 2021)