Do You Need a Toll Pass for a Rental Car in Orlando? How the Visitor Toll Pass Works
Quick answer
As of October 2026, most Orlando trips from the airport hit toll roads. Renters flying through MCO can use the free Visitor Toll Pass, with a $10 refundable deposit, instead of the rental company’s toll program, which Jared Jones warns adds daily fees.
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Cost to reserve | Free; $10 deposit |
| Service fee | None; you pay the tolls you use |
| Where to pick up | Vending machines at MCO: Level 1 of Terminals A and B, Level 4 of Terminal C |
| Pickup and return | Must be at Orlando International Airport (MCO) |
| How long you can use it | Up to 90 days |
| Unreturned hangtag fee | $10 |
| Savings cited by CFX | Up to 80% on tolls |
Sources: Central Florida Expressway Authority, Visitor Toll Pass How It Works and FAQ pages (checked Oct 27, 2026); Jared Jones – Orlando Living (YouTube), video published June 18, 2026.
Do you need a toll pass for a rental car in Orlando?
You do not strictly need one, but you will almost certainly drive on toll roads. In the video, Jared says Central Florida runs on toll roads, and that routing around them makes trips take far longer.
Without a plan, most rental cars default to the rental company’s toll program. Jared warns that those programs can add daily administrative fees on top of the tolls themselves, which adds up quickly on a week-long trip. He estimates five minutes of homework at the counter can save $40 or $50 before the trip is over. Ask the counter exactly how their toll program bills before you accept it.
What is the Visitor Toll Pass?
It is a free hangtag program from the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) for visitors renting a car at Orlando International Airport. You pay the tolls you use, with no service fee, and CFX says it can save up to 80% on tolls.
Per the CFX site, the pass works anywhere in Florida where you see E-PASS, SunPass or LeeWay signs, and you can use it for up to 90 days. It is linked to your rental car’s license plate and the payment card you choose. CFX lists participating rental brands including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. Check the official FAQ before your trip for the current list and any exceptions.
How do you get and return the Visitor Toll Pass?
Reserve online or in the app, pick up the hangtag from a vending machine at MCO, and drop it in a return bin at MCO when you leave. You must pick up and return at Orlando International Airport.
CFX lists pickup machines on Level 1 of Terminals A and B and Level 4 of Terminal C. Reserving is free, with a $10 deposit. After you get your car, you add its plate to your account; CFX says pairing can take up to 90 minutes. Hang the pass from the rear-view mirror. If you do not return the hangtag, CFX charges a $10 fee. Because pickup and return are both at MCO, the program is built for round trips through that airport.
How do you avoid being charged twice for tolls?
Decline the rental company’s toll program at the counter, and make sure any built-in transponder in the car is not also being used, per CFX guidance.
If both the rental program and the Visitor Toll Pass are active, you risk being billed by both. CFX says billing starts about 3 business days after your trip, with final billing up to 21 days later, so keep an eye on your card statement after you get home. Keep your rental agreement and reservation confirmation until all charges have posted. If you see a duplicate charge, contact the rental company and CFX with your plate number and dates.
What if you are moving to Orlando, not visiting?
The Visitor Toll Pass is for short-term visitors. New residents usually set up their own transponder account for their own car once they have Florida plates.
Jared’s video is aimed at both visitors and people relocating, and toll roads matter for daily commutes too, especially on routes such as SR 429, SR 408 and SR 417 around west and east Orlando. If you are scouting neighborhoods on a house-hunting trip, the Visitor Toll Pass can keep rental toll costs down while you drive between areas. The Jared Jones Team can help plan a tour by commute; call or text 407-706-5000.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a toll pass for a rental car in Orlando?
Not strictly, but most trips from Orlando International Airport use toll roads, and avoiding them can add a lot of time. Without a pass, rentals usually default to the rental company’s toll program, which Jared Jones warns can add daily fees. Renters flying through MCO can use the Central Florida Expressway Authority’s Visitor Toll Pass instead.
How much does the Orlando Visitor Toll Pass cost?
Reserving the Visitor Toll Pass is free, with a $10 deposit, per the Central Florida Expressway Authority. There is no service fee; you pay only the tolls you use. CFX says the pass can save up to 80% on tolls. A $10 fee applies if you do not return the hangtag at Orlando International Airport.
Where do I pick up the Visitor Toll Pass?
At vending machines in Orlando International Airport. CFX lists them on Level 1 of Terminals A and B and Level 4 of Terminal C. You must both pick up and return the hangtag at MCO, so the program fits round trips through that airport. After pickup, add your rental car’s plate to your account.
Which rental car companies work with the Visitor Toll Pass?
CFX lists participating rental brands including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. The list can change, so check the Visitor Toll Pass FAQ before you travel. Decline the rental company’s own toll program at the counter so you are not billed twice for the same tolls.
Where can I use the Visitor Toll Pass?
Per the Central Florida Expressway Authority, the Visitor Toll Pass works anywhere in Florida where you see E-PASS, SunPass or LeeWay signs, for up to 90 days. That covers the main toll roads around Orlando that visitors use between the airport, the theme park areas and the suburbs.
When will I be charged for Visitor Toll Pass tolls?
CFX says billing begins about 3 business days after your trip, with final billing up to 21 days later, charged to the payment card on your account. Keep your rental agreement and reservation confirmation until all charges post, and contact CFX and the rental company if you see a duplicate toll charge.
Sources
- Central Florida Expressway Authority: Visitor Toll Pass, How It Works (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Central Florida Expressway Authority: Visitor Toll Pass FAQ (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Jared Jones – Orlando Living (YouTube): 13 Dumb Rookie Mistakes to AVOID in ORLANDO! (published June 18, 2026)