Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are two of the biggest and best theme park destinations in the world. They also happen to be just a short drive away from each other in the Orlando Florida area. If you’re planning a trip to Disney and like thrill rides, then I’d recommend adding on a day or two at Universal Orlando (Universal Studios and Univeral’s Islands of Adventure theme parks). The resort is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an absolute MUST for Harry Potter fans. So what is the best way to get from Disney World to Universal Orlando if you don’t have your own car? Let’s dive right in…

Best way to get from Disney World to Universal Orlando

It’s not usual for a Disney World vacation to also include a visit to Universal Orlando Resort.  After all, it’s only about 10 miles away and no more than a 20 or 30-minute ride away. So if have some extra time and a desire to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the rides of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, then we definitely recommend planning to visit Universal, even if only for a day or two!

So how do you get from Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort?

There are a few options, including ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, taxi, direct shuttle, or car rentals. Below we go through these options.

1. Ridesharing Apps (Uber or Lyft)

Ridesharing companies have really transformed the way we do transportation. Companies like Uber and Lyft have supplemented – or even flat-out replaced –  traditional taxi service. Why?  Uber and Lyft are typically cheaper than taxis and every bit as efficient (sometimes even more efficient).

Now everyday people are using their own vehicles to drive their passengers to their destinations, and non-tech savvy people are figuring out how easy it is to hail a car with an app. You simply create an account and link your credit card, enter your destination, and you are good to go!

As you can imagine, Uber and Lyft are very popular in the Orlando area.  Guests traveling from their Disney World hotel to Universal Orlando can expect to pay approximately $20 for one-way transportation. This makes Uber or Lyft our #1 choice: it’s the cheapest and probably the easiest way to get from Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort.

Click HERE to get an Uber fare estimate from your hotel to Universal Orlando.

2. Shuttle

If you are staying at one of Disney World’s on-property hotels, then another option would be to take a shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort. This is a popular mode of transportation, but, as you can see by our calculations, it’s generally more expensive for your family than if you take a standard Uber.

The Mears Transportation Group (888-983-3346; mearstransportation.com) operates the largest and most popular shared shuttle service in Orlando. The shuttle drives around and picks up passengers until the van (or bus) is filled before it departs for its destination.

Rates are charged on a per-person basis.  A one-way fare to/from Universal is $21 for adults, $16 for children ages 4-11, and free for children 3 or under. Roundtrip fare is $33 for adults, $25 for children, and free for children 3 and under.

A competitor to Mears Transportation Group is SuperShuttle (800-258-3826; supershuttle.com). They also offer shared vans to/from Universal for $18 per person one way, or $32 for a roundtrip ticket.

3.  Taxi Service

Some people just prefer taxi service. They are conveniently located outside of your hotel, and you won’t have to use any smartphone app to hail one.

These old-fashioned taxi services can whisk you between Disney World and Universal Studios with no delay.  There are a few different taxi companies in the Orlando area but Mears Transportation Group is the biggest.

Mears Transportation Group (☎ 888-983-3346; mearstransportation.com) operates several brands (Checker Cab, Yellow Cab Company, and City Cab Company) all with identical rates. Most taxis carry four passengers up to eight (depending on the vehicle).

For a family of four, the taxi service to Universal will come out to be more expensive than Uber and Lyft, but less expensive than the shuttle.

4. Rent a Car

If you are one of those people that love the freedom to explore, then renting a car may be your cup of tea.

Disney’s Car Care Center is a full-service automotive center offering car rentals, auto repairs, and roadside assistance for Guests of Walt Disney World Resort.

It’s located conveniently near Magic Kingdom theme park.

Call (407) 824-0976 between these hours:

  • Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The facility offers alamo rent-a-car and national car rental services. Rates for a mid-sized vehicle cost around $45+ (parking is extra).

You can schedule a complimentary shuttle from your Disney resort to the car care center by calling 407-824-3470.

When all is said and done, renting a car for the day will definitely not be your cheapest option, but will give you a chance to explore the area on your way to Universal Orlando Resort.

The Verdict – Take an Uber!

We think the best option for traveling between Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort is: Ridesharing!

Not only are Uber and Lyft are the cheapest options, but they also provide you with convenience and comfort (usually).  It’s a no-brainer!

Enjoy your trip!

Need help planning and booking your Disney World or Universal Orlando vacation? Look no further than The Vacationeer. This Universal and Disney travel agency will get you the best rates and make sure every aspect of your trip is as magical as possible, all at no additional cost to you!

For more information about Universal, see our Universal Orlando Map, Best Universal Orlando Rides, Universal Crowd Calendar, Universal vs Disney WorldDisney World Map, Magic Kingdom Rides, and Epcot Rides pages.