Orlando Sanford International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Orlando Sanford International is the airport of Sanford, in Seminole County: about 40 km from Orlando and the Disney attractions, it's a stand-alone airport, used mainly by charter and low-cost flights, not to be confused with the better-known Orlando International. Travelers with a dawn flight or landing late at night do best sleeping a few minutes from the terminal, in an area with no evening life, though. Those who prefer a more polished atmosphere can choose Sanford's historic downtown, on Lake Monroe. Those who need to get to Orlando or the county's business areas find more chain hotels in Lake Mary, along the interstate.

Airport area (Sanford)

Airport area · Less than 1 km from the terminal: taxi and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are a few minutes from the arrivals curb; there is no direct bus line.

Best for: Travelers with a very early flight or landing late at night who don't want to drive in the dark.

Pros

A few minutes from check-in, convenient for dawn flights
Lower prices than in the city of Orlando

Cons

Industrial area, little to do on foot in the evening
Very limited choice of restaurants nearby

Recommended hotels in this area

Comfort Inn & Suites Orlando Sanford Airport: A recent property less than 1 km from the terminal, with a free airport shuttle.

See more hotels in this area →

Historic downtown Sanford

Neighbourhood · About 3 km from the terminal, 5-10 minutes by taxi or rideshare; not practical on foot.

Best for: Travelers arriving or departing at a convenient time who want a stay with more character, near Lake Monroe.

Pros

Historic cottages with a garden, not just another chain hotel
Restaurants and the Sanford lakefront a few steps away

Cons

Few rooms, which sell out quickly on weekends
No shuttle to the airport, a taxi or own car is needed

Recommended hotels in this area

Park Place Inn and Cottages: Cottages from the early 1900s in the historic center, with the Elevated Eats restaurant in the garden.

See more hotels in this area →

Lake Mary and Heathrow

Nearby town · 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal, along State Road 46 and Interstate 4; a taxi, rideshare or rental car is needed.

Best for: Travelers who need to move between the airport, local offices and Orlando, and want more choice of chain hotels.

Pros

More hotels to choose from, with competitive prices
Restaurants and shops reachable on foot from the hotels

Cons

Farther from the terminal than the other areas
An office area, with an anonymous atmosphere in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sanford - Lake Mary: Hot breakfast included and a café open 24 hours, appreciated by those traveling at unusual hours.
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando North/Lake Mary: An in-house restaurant open for breakfast and dinner and a market open 24 hours, useful with flights at odd hours.

See more hotels in this area →