The Florida Visitor Toll Pass: The UK Visitor’s Essential Guide
Welcome to Orlando! As you prepare to hit the road and explore the Sunshine State, you’ll quickly encounter one of Florida’s biggest expenses for tourists: the toll roads.
While the convenience of non-stop toll lanes is great, many UK visitors unknowingly agree to the exorbitant daily admin fees charged by rental car companies. Fortunately, an official, cost-saving alternative exists: the Visitor Toll Pass™ (VTP).
The Florida Visitor Toll Pass is a free, temporary toll pass provided by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX)—a government agency—designed specifically for visitors flying into and out of Orlando International Airport (MCO).
The Florida Visitor Toll Pass Advantage: Saving Up to 80%
Yes, that is correct, the primary function of the Florida Visitor Toll Pass is to shield you from the daily administrative fees (often $5 – $15 per day) that rental agencies charge for their own toll systems. By using the VTP, you only pay for the tolls you actually use, and at the lowest possible electronic rate.
| Cost Comparison | Rental Car Toll Program | Visitor Toll Pass (VTP) |
| Daily Admin Fee | High (charged every day, even when parked) | $0 (FREE) |
| Toll Rate | Full electronic rate or higher (via Toll-by-Plate) | Lowest Electronic Discount Rate |
| Total Savings | No savings, often a huge markup. | Savings of up to 80% compared to rental company plans. |
| Operated By | Third-party contractor for the rental company. | Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), a government agency. |
How the Florida Visitor Toll Pass Works
It’s so simple, the Florida Visitor Toll Pass is a small hang-tag that links your rental car’s license plate to your personal credit card via a dedicated mobile app. Once activated, you can drive non-stop on all electronic toll roads and bridges across the entire state of Florida (including E-PASS, SunPass, and E-ZPass-compatible lanes).
The entire process is centred around the Orlando International Airport (MCO) since it is the only place you can collect and return the physical tag.
No other airports in Florida currently provide the option of purchasing a Florida Visitor Toll Pass.
Where are the Florida Visitor Toll Pass Kiosks Located in MCO?
The kiosks are often positioned close to the major rental car company desks (like Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, etc.) since you pick up the pass right after declining the rental company’s toll program.
Terminal A: Located on Level 1, near the car rental counters.
Terminal B: Located on Level 1, near the car rental counters (specifically near baggage carousel 28B).
Terminal C: Located on Level 4, near the on-airport rental car agencies.
Your 7-Step Florida Visitor Toll Pass Workflow
Follow this simple, step-by-step process to ensure a smooth, fee-free experience.
1: Preparation & Collection
- 📲 Pre-Trip Reservation: Download the official Visitor Toll Pass app (CFX – Central Florida Expressway Authority). Reserve your pass by entering your trip dates and linking a credit/debit card. First, you pay a refundable $10 deposit to cover initial tolls.
- 🙅 Decline the Rental Toll Program (Critical!): At the rental car counter, explicitly decline the company’s toll option (e.g., PlatePass, TollPass, SunPass). Otherwise, accepting their plan means you will be charged twice.
- 📍 Collect the Pass: Locate one of the VTP vending machines in Terminals A, B, or C near the rental counters. Next, use the app’s QR code to retrieve your physical hang-tag.
2: Activation & Driving
- 🚗 Activate & Attach: Once in your rental car, immediately update the app with the car’s license plate number (This is crucial!). Then, hang the tag on the rear view mirror so it’s fully visible. Ensure that the barcode is facing the windscreen.
- 🛣️ Drive Non-Stop: Use any electronic toll lane (marked E-PASS or SunPass). The pass reads automatically, deducting the toll from your account. Furthermore, you can monitor every charge in real-time on the app.
3: Departure & Completion
- 🗑️ Return the Pass: Before heading to security, drop the hang-tag into a VTP return box located throughout the MCO terminals. Remember, you lose your $10 deposit if you fail to return the tag.
- 🧾 Complete Your Trip: Finally, after your trip, the CFX will reconcile your account. You will receive a refund for any unused deposit portion.
The Florida Visitor toll Pass can be used for a maximum of 90 days, and is a fabulous alternative to the more costly Till passes that are on offer from the major rental car desks.
