I’ve grumbled about Orlando public transit on this blog before—in my very first post, in fact. And I still stand by those criticisms. However, I recently discovered that Orlando has more public transit options than I’d realized.
This post is a bit different from my usual content about local attractions. But I think it’s worth exploring the topic of Orlando public transit.
The reality is that many people in Orlando don’t have a car, and even those who have one might want a break once in a while. Orlando seems to be making slow progress toward becoming less car-dependent. While we still have a long way to go, I can tell you as a longtime resident that we definitely have more public transit options than we used to.
In this post, I’ll provide an overview of Orlando public transit. Some of these are provided by LYNX, the main local transit system. Others are smaller services operating in the suburbs.
So, let’s look at your options for getting around town.
LYNX Bus
LYNX bus is the main method of Orlando public transit. The service offers 68 bus routes in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties, with connections to Lake and Polk counties.
You can find LYNX bus stops all over town. Through LYNX, you can reach popular destinations such as Disney World, the airport, and the University of Central Florida. The service operates 7 days a week, although schedules may vary depending on the day and time.
To ride a LYNX bus, here’s what you can expect to pay:
- $2 per ride
- $4.50 for an all-day pass
- $16 for a 7-day pass
- $50 for a 30-day pass
You can buy bus passes on the LYNX website or the LYNX PawPass app. Discounts are available for children, senior citizens, Medicare card holders, and people with disabilities.
As I’ve mentioned before, trip length is a common issue with Lynx. Navigating Orlando traffic already takes a while. Throw in bus transfers, and your travel time can become much longer.
To help with this, LYNX offers FastLink. FastLink offers fewer stops and quicker connections between popular destinations such as the Florida Mall and the Orange County Convention Center.
For those who can’t use LYNX due to disabilities or other limitations, there’s ACCESS LYNX. It’s a rideshare service that picks you up right at your door. You have to apply to the program and get approved before you can book a trip.
SunRail
SunRail is the local commuter train. Operating since 2014, this Orlando public transit service connects Volusia and Osceola counties through downtown Orlando.
Sunrail has 17 stations, including Kissimmee, Sand Lake Road, Church Street, Maitland, and Sanford. The trains operate on weekdays from early morning until nighttime.
SunRail trains are clean and comfortable. They come equipped with restrooms, Wi-Fi, and outlets. You can even bring your bike along for the ride. Some stations also have parking lots or garages nearby.
TIP: Plan your SunRail journey ahead of time. Not all SunRail stations are centrally located, so you may have to walk a bit or find additional transportation to your destination.
The cost to ride Sunrail depends on how many counties you’re traveling across and whether you’re going one way or round trip. Prices start at $2 per ride and increase by $1 for each county you cross into. Discounts are available for children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
This video explains how to purchase tickets and what to expect when taking SunRail. I’m not familiar with this channel, but I found this video to be a good primer.
NeighborLink
Getting around Orlando suburbs such as Oviedo and Bithlo can be tough without a car. Orlando public transit is more limited out there. However, NeighborLink is helping to fill that gap.
NeighborLink, offered through LYNX, provides rides for people living further out in the suburbs. Service hours depend on the route. To book a ride, use the Rides on Demand app or call (407) 244-0808.
NeighborLink costs $2 per ride. Discounts are available for youths, senior citizens, Medicare card holders, and people with disabilities.
Lymmo
Lymmo is a free bus service provided by LYNX that runs through downtown Orlando. It has its own traffic lane, so you can get to your destination quickly.
Lymmo has three lines to choose from:
- The Orange Line serves the Creative Village, LYNX Central Station, and various downtown destinations.
- The Lime Line serves the North Quarter, LYNX Central Station, and the Federal Courthouse.
- The Grapefruit Line serves Parramore, the Kia Center, and Lake Eola.
Buses arrive every 8-20 minutes, depending on the line.
Lymmo runs Monday-Friday from 6am-10:30pm, and on weekends from 8am-10pm. The Lime line wraps up earlier, at 9pm every day.
I recently used Lymmo while taking some photos around downtown. My bus arrived without a long wait, and it was clean and convenient. It was nice to get from one side of downtown to another without having to walk in the heat.
I-RIDE Trolley
The I-RIDE Trolley is an Orlando public transit option in the International Drive area. It offers a mix of trolleys and buses with over 100 stops. The service is primarily aimed at travelers staying in this busy part of town.
The I-RIDE Trolley operates two lines:
- The Red Line includes the Orlando Premium Outlets and Sea World. The trolleys arrive every 20 minutes.
- The Green Line travels the Major Boulevard Business District, along Universal Boulevard, and down South International Drive. The trolleys arrive every 60 minutes.
The trolley operates daily from 8am-10:30pm, with a fare of $2 per ride. Children 9 and under and senior citizens receive discounts. Some hotels on I-Drive (such as Coco Key) offer free trolley passes with your stay.
TIP: If you plan on using the I-RIDE Trolley multiple times, save money by purchasing an unlimited ride pass online in advance. Passes are available for 1-14 days.
Sanford Free Trolley Service
Historic Downtown Sanford offers a wealth of shopping and dining options. They’re easily accessible through the Sanford Free Trolley Service.
The free trolley stops at several locations between the Sanford SunRail station and Historic Downtown Sanford. The city also offers a free shuttle from the Amtrak station to the Sanford Information Center on Mondays-Saturdays.
Move Nona
Lake Nona has a high-tech vibe, so it’s not surprising that it’s home to a pioneering driverless shuttle program.
Move Nona is the largest single-site driverless shuttle network in the country. A company called Beep runs five routes and eight shuttles within the community.
Each shuttle can carry up to 10 passengers and has an attendant on board. The shuttles arrive every 10-15 minutes.
Move Nona operates 7 days a week and is free to ride.
SWAN Shuttle
SWAN Shuttle is like Move Nona, except its Beep shuttles operate in downtown Orlando. It has five stops connecting downtown to the Creative Village.
The service was halted in November 2023 after a minor crash with a LYNX bus. The program resumed operations in March 2024 after making some safety adjustments.
SWAN Shuttle runs during select hours 7 days a week and is free to ride.
CraneRIDES
Altamonte Springs seems like an unlikely place to test cutting-edge driverless cars, but here we are. CraneRIDES is the pilot program for Beep shuttles in the Cranes Roost area.
This free shuttle loops between four destinations: the Altamonte Mall, the Renaissance Center, Cranes Roost, and the AMC Theatre.
CraneRIDES runs during select hours 7 days a week. It can fit up to eight passengers (or five passengers and one wheelchair). But most importantly, it saves you from dealing with the crazy traffic on 436.
Freebee
Freebee is a free transportation service in downtown Kissimmee. It’s billed as a “last mile” between various Kissimmee destinations.
Freebee connects passengers from the Kissimmee Intermodal/SunRail station to AdventHealth Kissimmee, Valencia College, Kissimmee Lakefront Park, and more. The service uses Teslas but also has a wheelchair-accessible van available.
Freebee runs Monday-Friday from 6am-9pm. You can book rides through the Freebee app.
LYNX Vanpool
If you and your friends or coworkers don’t have a car, you can team up and rent one through the LYNX Vanpool program.
This program lets groups of up to 15 people share a van for the month. The cost ranges from $490-$560 per month, depending on the size of the vehicle.
Bike and Scooter Rental
Not all Orlando public transit has four wheels. You’ve probably seen bikes and scooters with company logos parked on the sidewalks. These vehicles are available for rent, typically through the company’s smartphone app.
Some of the companies that rent bikes and/or scooters in Orlando are HOPR, Bird, Lime, and Veo.
Conclusion: Here Are Your Options for Orlando Public Transit
Is Orlando public transit ever going to match New York or Paris? Probably not.
The fact is, our city’s not built for it. That’s a separate discussion about urban planning that’s way beyond the scope of this blog (and my expertise).
But things have improved. When I was studying at UCF years ago, Lynx was the only option. Now there are rideshares, scooter rentals, free shuttles, and more.
When it comes to public transit, one thing’s for certain: Orlando is definitely a work in progress. As our population continues to grow, here’s hoping the future brings even more options.