Pro Tips To Save Time At The Airport

With the number of travelers continuing to increase, so can the lines and wait times at airport security. Over the years, U.S. airports and airlines have introduced a number of programs to help frequent, and not so frequent, flyers move through the different checkpoints more efficiently. Another great time saver is to arrange your Orlando Airport transportation in advance, saving time on parking while adding the convenience of being dropped off and picked up directly at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Whether you're traveling for business, heading home after an Orlando vacation, or arriving for a visit to Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort, a little preparation can go a long way toward making your airport experience smoother.

TSA Pre-Check

TSA PreCheck offers access to dedicated security screening lanes at participating airports throughout the United States. Passengers using TSA PreCheck can generally leave their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids inside their carry-on bags and keep belts and light jackets on, making the security process quicker and more convenient.

TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports and with more than 90 participating airlines. Children 17 and under can also accompany an enrolled adult through TSA PreCheck when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child's boarding pass.

Eligibility: Available to eligible U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents.

Application: online at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/, Begin your application online through an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider and complete the required identity verification and enrollment process.

Cost: Pricing now varies depending on the authorized enrollment provider. As of September 2026, a new five-year enrollment costs $76.75 through IDEMIA, $85 through Telos, or $84.95 through CLEAR

Global Entry

Global Entry offers expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States from international destinations. Unlike TSA PreCheck, which focuses primarily on airport security screening before departure, Global Entry is designed to speed up the U.S. customs and immigration process when returning from abroad.

All travelers, regardless of age, need their own Global Entry membership. Applicants complete an online application, undergo a background check, and complete an interview before approval. Global Entry members are also eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits, making it especially useful for travelers who fly both internationally and domestically.

Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as citizens of certain countries that participate in Global Entry arrangements with the United States.

Application: online at https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/, followed by an in-person interview including a background check and fingerprinting

Cost: $120 for a 5-year membership

CLEAR+

CLEAR+ uses biometric identity verification to help members move through the identity-verification portion of airport security more efficiently. Instead of relying only on the traditional ID-check process, CLEAR+ members use dedicated lanes and face-first identity technology before continuing through TSA security screening.

CLEAR+ is available at Orlando International Airport, with lanes serving the Terminals A/B checkpoints as well as Terminal C. It can also be used together with TSA PreCheck for travelers who participate in both programs.

Eligibility: Adults 18 and older can enroll with an accepted form of identification. Children 17 and under can accompany a CLEAR+ member through the CLEAR+ lane without having their own paid membership.

Application: online at https://www.clearme.com/enroll

Cost: $219 per year

MCO Reserve

Orlando International Airport now offers MCO Reserve, a free service that allows eligible passengers to reserve a time to go through airport security. Passengers select an available time slot before arriving at the airport and receive a QR code for the dedicated MCO Reserve lane. After scanning the code, travelers proceed to TSA for the standard ID and security screening process. Dedicated MCO Reserve lanes are available in Terminals A, B, and C.

Reservations can currently be made up to seven days before departure, and MCO specifically offers the service for travelers who do not have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+. Application: online at https://flymco.com/airport-info/mco-reserve Cost: Free! For current hours, availability, and reservations, visit the official MCO Reserve page from Orlando International Airport.

Airport Transportation

This is still one of the easiest ways to save time when getting to and from the airport. Booking an Orlando Airport car service means you don't have to worry about airport parking, parking shuttles, rental-car returns, or figuring out transportation once you land.

For departures, your Orlando Limo chauffeur can pick you up directly from your home, hotel, resort, office, theme park, or vacation rental and take you to Orlando International Airport. For arrivals, we offer private curbside pickup as well as optional Meet & Greet service for passengers who would like their chauffeur to meet them inside the terminal.

Orlando Limo offers airport transportation in a variety of vehicles depending on your group size and luggage requirements. Families and executives may prefer the comfort and luggage space of a Cadillac Escalade ESV, while larger families and groups can travel together in our spacious 14-passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van. Families traveling with young children can also ask about car seats and stroller rentals to make traveling through Orlando a little more convenient.

Cost: Orlando Limo offers Orlando Airport transportation starting at $105, with pricing depending on the vehicle, route, passenger requirements, and service selected.

Online Check-In

This one is a bit of a hidden gem. A lot of people think it's only for frequent flyers, or people with no checked luggage, but lately, a lot of airlines have started offering online check-in for all their passengers. Not only does it save you time, but it's a lot more convenient since you can provide all your details in the comfort of your home (or hotel room, if you're already traveling), pick your favorite seat, and have yet one less thing on your to-do list when you get to the airport. As an added bonus, it can even reduce the risk of getting bumped due to an oversold flight, especially since many carriers now offer online check-in up to 48 hours in advance. Why not take advantage of it?!

Cost: best of all, none!

Bonus Tip: Combine Them!

If you're really looking to save time and breeze through it all, your best option is of course to combine these services. Imagine an airport limo service dropping you off outside the terminal, you're already checked in, head for the CLEAR station, where you don't need to take out your ID, then a security check with your shoes and belt on, laptop in bag, and no wait time. At your destination, a driver is waiting for you inside the terminal, with a car parked just outside.

Just remember that Global Entry actually includes the TSA Pre-Check, meaning that if you're part of the Global Entry program, you're automatically also enrolled in the TSA Pre-Check program, however, it does not work the other way around. If you don't have either program, you may be able to reserve a free MCO Reserve time slot before your trip.

For more information about transportation to and from Orlando International Airport, check out our Orlando Airport Transportation service, where you can learn more about private airport car service, Meet & Greet pickup, available vehicles, family transportation, and group transportation throughout Orlando and Central Florida.

These are some of our favorite pro tips to help you save time and reduce the stress that so many of us experience when traveling. What are some of your traveling hacks and pro tips? Let us know in the comments below, we'd love to hear from you!