Port Canaveral sits on Florida's Space Coast, about 45 miles east of Orlando. Nearly everyone arrives by car via SR-528 (the Beachline Expressway). Cruisers drive in from Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, and across the Southeast. If you are parking with Portside, take Exit 52 (Banana River Drive), one exit before the port, to reach our gated lot, then hop on the free air-conditioned shuttle for the short ride to your exact terminal.
Port Canaveral operates several cruise terminals on the north and south sides of the port. Each ship has a usual terminal, though assignments can change by sailing. Here is who sails from where:
Not sure which terminal your ship uses? Find your ship for its terminal, layout, and exact parking price. We confirm your terminal in your booking confirmation and again in your day-before arrival email.
You have two main choices. The port's own garages are on-site and steps from the ship at $20.00 a day, but they are first-come and can fill on busy holiday sailings, and you pay on entry. Off-site parking with Portside is $12.95 a day with a guaranteed reserved spot, a free shuttle straight to your terminal, a gated and 24/7 monitored lot, and a scannable digital pass. You trade a two minute shuttle ride for a lower price, a spot that is actually held for you, and the same door-to-terminal convenience. See a full parking comparison or cost by cruise length.
Both your drop-off day and your return day count toward your parking total, and there are no surprise fees at checkout. Your car parks in a gated lot with 8-foot fencing, 24/7 video surveillance, and staff on embarkation days. If your ship returns late due to weather, your spot is still reserved and your car is safe. For longer sailings, see our long-term parking guide.
Most cruisers reach Port Canaveral by taking SR-528 (the Beachline) east. From Orlando it is about a 45 to 60 minute drive. For parking, take Exit 52 (Banana River Drive), one exit before the port, to reach the Portside lot, then ride the free shuttle to your terminal.
Port Canaveral has several active cruise terminals, including Terminals 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, split between the north and south sides of the port. Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Princess all sail from them. Your ship's terminal is confirmed in your booking.
Reserving off-site with Portside is the simplest, lowest-cost way: $12.95 a day with a guaranteed spot and a free shuttle straight to your terminal, versus $20.00 a day for the port's first-come on-site garages. You avoid the cruise-morning scramble for a garage space and still get door-to-terminal service.
Plan to arrive within your ship's check-in window, usually a couple of hours before departure. With a reserved Portside spot you drive straight in and onto the shuttle, so you skip circling a full garage. Lot access on embarkation day typically runs mid-morning to early afternoon.
Reserve Port Canaveral parking for $12.95 a day with a free shuttle to your terminal. It takes about two minutes.
Reserve my parking$12.95 a day, free shuttle straight to your terminal, no hidden fees.