Although parking fees may seem insignificant when planning the cost and expenses of a vacation, it can easily add up if you are touring several attractions in the area. Saving money on parking fees means having money to spend on other aspects of your trip. At the Universal Orlando theme parks, the parking fee is $15 at the time of publication. You can avoid the fee by seeking other methods of transportation and visiting the parks during off-peak hours.
Step 1
Research and book a hotel that offers free shuttle service to and from Universal Orlando. If you search on a hotel search engine or the hotel's website, look for a list of complimentary services that the hotel offers. The complimentary shuttle generally runs every half hour or every hour depending on the time of year.
Step 2
Board the Orlando metro city bus system called LYNX, which has routes running throughout the major streets of Orlando. Since Universal Studios is a major tourist attraction, there will be a few lines that make direct stops at the parks. Visit the LYNX city bus website (golynx.com) and look for a bus schedule and route that is closest to your location. As of the time of publication, the bus fare costs $2 one way.
Step 3
Arrive at Universal Orlando after 6 p.m. to avoid paying the full parking fee of $15. As of the time of publication, the fee drops to $3 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and parking is free after 10 p.m. The theme parks sometimes close soon after 6 p.m., depending on the time of year, but Universal Orlando's City Walk pavilion is open until 2 a.m. year-round.
Tip
If you have friends or family who live locally, ask them to drop you off at the front gate to avoid parking fees.