If you are traveling light (i.e. one carry-on) and you are on a really tight budget, it is possible to take a public bus from the airport to Walt Disney World and accomplish your trip for less than the cost of the tip you would pay a taxi or shuttle driver, or for less than the cost of tolls with a rental car!

The trip from the airport to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) at Walt Disney World takes about an hour and a half, with the bus leaving the airport every hour. The best route is to take Bus 51 from the airport (an alternate is Bus 11) and then transfer to Bus 50 at the downtown bus station. (There is a web site with bus schedules.) The cost is $1.75 one way. For kids under 18 (!) and seniors over age 65 it's $0.85 each way. Only $1 bills and change are accepted.

Greg C. sends this information: "The link 11 is now quicker to go from the airport to the downtown bus station. There you still transfer to bus 50. Bus 11 arrives 10 minutes before Bus 50 does. The 51 bus arrives 5 minutes after the 50 bus leaves."

You need to ask for a transfer when you board the bus at the airport or you will be charged when you get on the second bus. When you get to the TTC you can take the ferry across to the Magic Kingdom and catch the bus to any of Disney's resorts. If you are staying off-site, many local hotels have buses from the TTC parking lot -- be sure to check the hotel's schedule. Or you could take a taxi from TTC to almost any local hotel for about $10.

If you have a late flight on the last day of your stay, after you check out of your hotel you can store your luggage at the lockers at the TTC and spend the day at the Magic Kingdom, then leave the Magic Kingdom a half-hour before the bus is due, which will give you time to get your luggage and be waiting for the bus.

Thank you to Deb S, who has done this several times, for the in-depth info - and to Nicole C and Cara Z for updated info.

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