How to Get to Everglades from Orlando

The Everglades is one of Florida's most popular natural attractions for tourists. The same is true of Orlando, considered the theme park capital of the world. The combination of nature and leisure offered by both places makes this excursion one of the best things to do in Orlando.

If you are thinking of doing it, throughout this article I will give you the different options you have for travelling from Orlando to the Everglades. I will also tell you which is the best in each case, the approximate prices of the trip for each one and some tips for your trip.

If you want to take the experience to another level and get the most out of it, I recommend checking out the best tours to the Everglades from Miami. The great advantage of this option is that transport is included and organised, so you don't have to worry about it.

This type of tour immerses you in the cultural and scenic heritage of the area and completes the route with different activities. For example, you can take a hydroplane ride through the Everglades from Orlando or, if you have the option of travelling south, take a tour of Miami with a cruise and hydroplane ride included.

Details of interest

• Price: Varies depending on whether you are travelling in high or low season, as well as the company you choose and whether you book your ticket well in advance or at the last minute. To give you a rough idea, the bus from Orlando to Miami can cost between £17 and £42.
• Journey time: Between 4 and 6 hours.
• Advantages: You can enjoy the scenery or take the opportunity to rest during the journey.
• Disadvantages: There is no direct service from Orlando to the Everglades, so you will have to change buses.

If you want to enjoy the scenery in all its glory without having your eyes fixed on the road, the best option for you may be to go by bus. It is also true that it is a longer journey than by car, so it is more convenient if you are going to Orlando for 7 days or for a longer period. Otherwise, you will lose leisure and sightseeing time just travelling.

There are several bus companies offering this route, as it is a very common journey. The trip takes between 4 and 6 hours. It all depends on the traffic at the time of day you are travelling and the number of stops on the route. As for timetables, companies usually offer several options throughout the day.

The main drawback of this option is that there is no direct bus service from one point to the other. This is only possible if you book an excursion with a tour company. Otherwise, you will have to take at least two buses to reach your destination. The best option is to travel to Miami by bus and then take another bus to the Everglades once you arrive in the city.

The most flexible way to get from Orlando to the Everglades is by car. If you don't have your own car, I recommend renting one so you can get around freely for the rest of your trip. The journey by car from one point to another takes about 3-4 hours, depending on where you are starting from in Orlando and where you are going in the Everglades.

There are two routes to the Florida wetlands. The first option will take you to the Everglades via the Florida Turnpike towards US-41, known as Alligator Alley. This is the best way to get to the heart of the Everglades and is a very versatile route as there are several exits in the city for the Florida Turnpike.

The second route runs along the east coast of Florida via the I-95 motorway towards US-1. Along the way, you will pass through cities such as Miami and Homestead, where you can stop and stretch your legs. With this second option, you can reach areas of the Everglades such as Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park.

Which is the best of the two routes?

As for which route is more beautiful, both offer spectacular views, although they are completely different from each other. While the first route features marshes and wildlife, the second route is dominated by the ocean and the beaches of cities such as Miami.

My recommendation is that, in addition to your tastes and priorities, you check the real-time traffic on each route. Also, if you are travelling with the whole family, check out the best things to do in Orlando with children and the surrounding area and choose one route or the other to make the most of your trip.

Details of interest

• Price: The price depends on traffic, the current cost of fuel, whether the vehicle uses petrol or diesel, the rates of the car rental company you choose and the route you decide to take. In general terms, the price can range from around £144 to £164, not including car rental.
• Duration of the trip: Between 3 and 4 hours, not including any stops you make.
• Advantages: You will be able to move around the Everglades with complete flexibility and make any stops you deem necessary.
• Disadvantages: This is a very tiring option, as you will have to drive for several hours. You will also have to worry about parking.

As with the bus route, there is no direct train service from Orlando to the Everglades. Therefore, you will have to take a train to Miami and then travel to the Florida Everglades by car or bus. Currently, there is one train that runs this route: the Amtrak Silver Service, which takes just under 6 hours.

However, there are plans to open a new train line from Orlando to Miami, which is expected to be operational in summer 2023. This is the Brightline company and it is estimated that it will cover the same route in just 4 hours. If so, this would undoubtedly be your best option.

Whatever the case, the reality is that travelling by train is a very comfortable experience that can be included among the best things to do in Orlando. Not only will you enjoy the rich landscape of this area of Florida, but you will also have certain services at your disposal. For example, these trains usually have reclining seats, power sockets, catering services and screens with multimedia content.

The total journey time from Orlando to the Everglades with this option is usually around 5 hours, depending on which train you choose. To give you an idea, the journey from Miami to the Everglades usually takes an hour. My recommendation is to take advantage of your stop in Miami to do some of the best things to see and do in Miami.

Details of interest

• Price: It depends on the class you travel in, how far in advance you buy your ticket, and the company you choose, but it is usually between £35 and £70 per person.
• Journey time: Approximately 5 to 7 hours.
• Advantages: This is a very comfortable option where you can enjoy the scenery, have a drink, watch a film or simply sleep.
• Disadvantages: There is no direct train route from Orlando to the Everglades. You will have to travel by train from Orlando to Miami and then take a car or bus to the Everglades.

Without a doubt, if you're looking for a quick option, the best thing to do is to travel from Orlando to the Everglades by plane. This way, you'll get to your destination in no time and can use the time you save to do other activities in the city. That's why I think it's the best option for trips to Orlando lasting 3 days or other short periods when you need to make the most of your time.

As with train and bus travel, there are no direct flights from Orlando to the Everglades. You'll have to fly to Miami, which takes about an hour. From there, you can take a rental car or bus to the Everglades.

One of the great advantages of this option, besides the speed it offers, is that flights between Orlando and Miami are very frequent. This route is one of the most popular in Florida, so there are several flights throughout the day and many airlines operate in both cities.

Useful information

• Price: Prices vary depending on how far in advance you buy your ticket, the time of day you travel and the airline you choose. In general, the price of a flight ticket between Orlando and Miami is usually between £50 and £200.
• Journey time: Approximately two and a half hours.
• Advantages: It is the fastest option.
• Disadvantages: There is no direct route from Orlando to the Everglades by plane.

In addition to all the options I've shown you for getting from Orlando to the Everglades, you can also choose to book an organised tour that includes round-trip transportation between both destinations. The Everglades are one of Florida's biggest natural attractions and are in high demand among tourists.

Many tourists visiting Orlando include a visit to this swampy area in their itinerary. Therefore, you will have no problem finding companies that offer organised tours. Depending on the company, you will travel to the Everglades by bus, minibus or train. Some even offer hotel pick-up service. In addition, these tours also include different activities, such as a boat ride, a hydroplane tour of the Everglades or a cultural tour of Miami.

The first and most obvious tip I can give you is to make sure you choose the right mode of transport. Depending on your personal circumstances, there will always be one that suits you best. For example, if you are travelling with children, I recommend travelling by car. In addition, if you are travelling by car, check the traffic conditions on each route so you don't waste time in unwanted traffic jams.

Of course, when checking, it is also important to check the weather forecast for the Everglades for that day. You don't want your experience to be ruined by a storm or suffocating heat. In this regard, for me, the most important thing on this trip, as on all trips, is planning.

Create a travel itinerary with these and other details, such as the stops you will make. For example, if you are travelling by car, train or bus and passing through Miami, you can take one of the best tours of South Beach in Miami or hop on one of the best cruises in Miami.