Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
26
then south on the Florida Turnpike to
I-4 west.
• From Cleveland, take I-77 south to
Columbia, South Carolina, and then
I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.
• From Dallas, take I-20 east to I-49, south
to I-10, east to I-75, and then south on
the Florida Turnpike to I-4 west.
• From Detroit, take I-75 south to the
Florida Turnpike, and then exit on I-4
west.
• From Toronto, take Canadian Rte. 401
south to Queen Elizabeth Way, then
south to I-90 (New York State Thru-
way), east to I-87 (New York State
Thruway), south to I-95 over the
George Washington Bridge, and then
south on I-95 to I-4 west.
Sanford, 23 miles northeast of downtown
Orlando, 800 Persimmon Ave., which is
also the end terminal for the Auto Train
(see below).
AMTRAK'S AUTO TRAIN
This option
offers the convenience of bringing your car
to Florida without having to drive it all the
way. It begins in Lorton, Virginia—about
a 4-hour drive from New York, 2 hours
from Philadelphia—and ends at Sanford,
23 miles northeast of Orlando. (There are
no stops in between.) Reserve early for the
lowest prices. Fares
average
$760 ($1,200
with a berth) for two passengers and an
auto. Call
&
800/872-7245
for details.
International visitors who wish to ven-
ture beyond Orlando's boundaries can buy
a
USA Rail Pass,
good for 15, 30, or 45
days ($389-$749) of unlimited travel on
Amtrak
(
&
800/USA-RAIL
[872-7245];
www.amtrak.com). The pass is available
online or through many overseas travel
agents. See Amtrak's website for the travel
routes (and individual fares) throughout
the United States. Reservations are gener-
ally required and should be made as early
as possible.
By Train
Amtrak
trains (
&
800/872-7245;
www.
amtrak.com) pull into stations at 1400
Sligh Blvd. in downtown Orlando (23
miles from Walt Disney World), and 111
Dakin Ave. in Kissimmee (15 miles from
WDW). There are also stops in Winter
Park, 10 miles north of downtown
Orlando at 150 W. Morse Blvd.; and in
2
4
MONEY & COSTS
The Value of the Dollar vs. Other Popular Currencies
US$
Can$
UK £
Euro (€)
Aus$
NZ$
$1
$1.09
61p
€.70
$1.21
$1.52
Frommer's lists exact prices in the local
currency. The currency conversions quoted
above were correct at press time. However,
rates fluctuate, so before departing consult
a currency-exchange website such as
www.
oanda.com/convert/classic
to check up-
to-the-minute rates.
As a whole, Orlando is no more expen-
sive than any other major city in the U.S.
That said, in the theme-park zones, expect
to be charged high prices for just about
everything (that $1 bottle of water in the
outside world will cost $2.50 and up in
the tourist areas). If you plan on spending
most of your time at the parks, budget
accordingly.
When it comes to carrying currency,
though many establishments do accept
traveler's checks in Orlando, I still recom-
mend using a credit card and/or cash here
