Orlando’s public transportation isn’t one system — it’s three separate ones that don’t share a fare. LYNX runs the buses that cover the city and suburbs, SunRail is a commuter train that only runs on weekdays, and the privately run I-Ride Trolley loops the International Drive tourist strip. Know which one you need before you go, because none of them share a card or a ticket.
The basics
- LYNX is the public bus system for Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties, with routes fanning out from LYNX Central Station in downtown Orlando — including a direct route to the airport.
- SunRail is a commuter rail line running roughly north–south through downtown Orlando, from DeBary up north to Poinciana down south. It’s built around weekday commuter schedules and does not run on weekends or major holidays.
- I-Ride Trolley is a separate, privately operated service (run by Mears Transportation for the International Drive business district) that loops International Drive — the hotel, convention center, and SeaWorld corridor — on its own fare, unconnected to LYNX or SunRail.
There’s no subway or light rail here — buses and SunRail are the real public transit network, with the trolley as a tourist-corridor extra.
How to pay
LYNX buses, three ways:
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay) right on the farebox — “Tap to Pay” charges the adult fare.
- Scan a QR code in the LYNX Paw Pass app, which also sells day, week, and month passes digitally.
- Pay cash to the driver — exact change only; drivers can’t make change.
Ask the driver for a free transfer when you pay. It’s good for 90 minutes on a different route — not for a round trip on the one you’re already on.
SunRail runs on its own, separate system. Buy a ticket or load a reloadable SunCard at a station’s ticket vending machine (cash, card, or digital wallet), or buy directly in the SunRail Mobile app. If you’re riding with a physical SunCard or paper ticket, you must tap on at the platform validator before boarding and tap off after you get off — skipping either step can overcharge you for extra zones. Mobile-app tickets skip the tap entirely; just show them if a fare inspector asks.
I-Ride Trolley: exact cash fare to the driver, or buy a multi-day unlimited pass online or at one of the many I-Drive-area retail locations in advance — passes aren’t sold on board.
Fares
LYNX (bus):
| Single ride | All-Day | 7-Day | 30-Day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $2.00 | $4.50 | $16.00 | $50.00 |
| Reduced (senior/disability/youth) | $1.00 | $2.25 | $8.00 | $25.00 |
Kids 6 and under ride free with a paying adult (up to three per adult). All-Day passes have to be requested from the driver when you pay — they aren’t sold in advance.
SunRail (commuter rail) charges by how many county zones you cross — Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola each count as one zone:
| Zones crossed | One-way fare | Reduced fare |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.00 | $1.00 |
| 2 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| 3 | $4.00 | $2.00 |
| 4 | $5.00 | $2.50 |
Weekly passes run $17–$42.50 and monthly passes $56–$140, depending on how many zones you need. Riders 65 and up, youth 7–18, and riders with a qualifying disability get the 50% reduced fare.
I-Ride Trolley: $2.00 a ride ($1.00 ages 3–9, $0.25 for 65+, free under 3), or an unlimited pass from $8 (one day) to $22 (fourteen days).
Getting from the airport
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has no SunRail station of its own — the only direct public transit link from the terminal is the bus.
LYNX Link 311, officially the Disney/Orlando International Airport/Destination Parkway Express, picks up at Terminal A, Level 1 (Ground Transportation), bays A38–A41. It connects the airport to the Universal area (the Epic Universal Transfer Center), Florida Mall, the Sand Lake Road SunRail station, and the Walt Disney World area, running about every 30 minutes, roughly 4:50am to 11:20pm daily. The fare is the standard $2.00 LYNX ride.
Want SunRail instead? Take Link 311 (or another LYNX route) to the Sand Lake Road SunRail station first — there’s no way to reach SunRail directly from MCO.
No official source publishes a travel time for Link 311, so build in extra time, especially if you’re also making a connection once you’re off the bus.
Apps to download
- LYNX Paw Pass — the official app for buying LYNX fares by QR code or tap-to-pay, plus real-time bus tracking and trip planning.
- SunRail Mobile — buy and display SunRail tickets on your phone, with no need to tap on or off at the platform validators.
- Google Maps — solid for trip planning, with live LYNX and SunRail data built in.
When it runs
LYNX buses run every day of the year; exact hours and frequency vary by route. The airport’s Link 311, for example, runs about every 30 minutes from roughly 4:50am to 11:20pm. There’s no system-wide overnight service, so check your specific route for late-night options.
SunRail runs weekdays only — no Saturday, Sunday, or major-holiday service. At the Poinciana (south) end of the line, trains run from about 5:45am to 9:55pm, about every 30 minutes during the morning and evening commute windows, and considerably less often (every 1–2 hours) through the midday lull.
I-Ride Trolley runs daily, 8am to 10:30pm — Red Line trolleys about every 20 minutes, Green Line about every 45 minutes.
Accessibility
LYNX describes its fixed-route bus system as fully accessible. ACCESS LYNX provides shared-ride, door-to-door paratransit for riders who can’t use regular buses because of a disability — it requires an application, and trips are booked by calling 407-423-TRIP. SunRail trains and stations are built to ADA standards.
Etiquette & local quirks
- LYNX and SunRail are two completely separate fare systems — a Paw Pass balance or bus transfer doesn’t work on SunRail, and a SunCard doesn’t work on a bus.
- On SunRail, don’t skip the tap off when you leave the train if you’re using a SunCard or paper ticket — forgetting can overcharge you for extra zones, and fare inspectors do check.
- On LYNX, ask the driver for your transfer when you pay — it isn’t automatic, and it’s not valid for a round trip on the same route.
- LYNX drivers can’t make change, so carry exact fare if you’re paying cash.
Good to know
- SunRail fare enforcement is active: inspectors can ask for proof of payment at any time, and failing to show a valid fare can mean a $50 citation — or worse for repeat or serious violations — plus removal from the train.
- There’s no unified regional fare card — bring or load separate payment for LYNX and SunRail if your trip uses both.
- Planning a weekend trip around SunRail? It doesn’t run Saturdays, Sundays, or major holidays — LYNX buses (or a car) are your option those days.