Orlando Sanford International Airport
Orlando, United States
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Orlando's secondary international gateway serving leisure and charter travelers.
- ›Originally built as Naval Air Station Sanford during World War II.
- ›Located approximately 30 miles north of downtown Orlando in Sanford, Florida.
- ›Has served as a major entry point for UK and European charter holiday flights to Central Florida.
- ›Offers a less congested alternative to Orlando International Airport (MCO).
- ›Supports a mix of commercial passenger, cargo, and general aviation operations.
Orlando Sanford International Airport, located about 25 miles northeast of downtown Orlando in Seminole County, began as a former naval air station before transitioning to civilian use in the 1960s. It serves as a quieter alternative to the busier Orlando International Airport, handling primarily leisure and charter traffic with a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere. The airport has long been a favored entry point for transatlantic charter flights, particularly from the United Kingdom and Canada.
- Terminal A — Handles domestic and select international arrivals and departures with basic passenger amenities.
- Terminal B — Primarily serves international charter flights, including transatlantic services from Europe.
- Rental car facilities on-site with major agencies including Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise
- Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) available at designated curbside zones
- Shared shuttle services such as Mears Connect offering routes to area hotels and theme parks
- Private car and limousine services bookable in advance
- SunRail commuter rail accessible at nearby Sanford station with connecting ground transport
- Marriott Sanford Airport
- Hyatt Place Orlando/Sanford
- Holiday Inn Express Sanford
- Hampton Inn & Suites Sanford/Lake Mary
- Comfort Inn & Suites Sanford
Dining options inside Orlando Sanford Airport are limited but functional, with a small selection of cafes, a bar, and grab-and-go vendors suitable for light meals before a flight. For a wider range of restaurants, the nearby Lake Mary and downtown Sanford areas offer numerous casual dining and waterfront options just a short drive away. Travelers with time to spare are encouraged to explore historic downtown Sanford, which has a growing food and craft beer scene.
- Arrive at least 2 hours before international flights as security lines can still build despite the airport's smaller size.
- Confirm your airline actually uses SFB and not MCO — both serve Orlando and confusion is common among first-time visitors.
- A rental car is strongly recommended as public transit connections from SFB to theme parks and downtown Orlando are limited.
- The airport is close to the St. Johns River and Lake Monroe — consider arriving a day early to enjoy Sanford's scenic waterfront before your flight.
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Orlando Sanford International Airport is a commercial, public use airport in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. It was built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a master jet base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, and was used by the U.S. Navy until 1969. The airport is now owned by the Sanford Airport Authority and operated by Airports Worldwide.
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