Universal Orlando’s newest theme park is entering its first full year of operations, and many first-time visitors will be wondering how to get to and from Epic Universe. So whether you want to drive, ride, or walk your way to this hyped new attraction, here is our Unofficial Guide to all your Epic Universe transportation options.
Guests going to Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park have a variety of transportation choices, depending on whether they are arriving from the Orlando International Airport, the original Universal Orlando campus, or Walt Disney World. Here is a breakdown of the options.
Driving to Epic Universe
To reach Epic Universe from the original Universal Orlando Resort campus, drive south on Kirkman Road directly into the expansion property. Universal Boulevard connects the International Drive area to Universal via an overpass bridging I-4 and also stretches south to Epic Universe.
To reach Epic Universe from Orlando International Airport, take FL528/Beachline Expressway west about 10 miles to Exit 2, then bear right onto Universal Boulevard northbound and make a right on Destination Parkway to reach Epic Universe; if traffic is backed up, use Exit 3 to John Young Parkway northbound as an alternate route. Note that this is a toll road; if your car doesn’t have a SunPass or E-Pass transponder (available free at the airport through VisitorTollPass.com), then you will be billed by license plate.
From Walt Disney World, go east on I-4, take Exit 72 to FL 528 East, then take Exit 2 onto northbound Universal Boulevard to reach Epic Universe.
Parking at Epic Universe
Guests going to Epic Universe can park in the main campus’s garage and take free bus transportation to the new park (see below), or they can use the expansion’s dedicated surface lot off Destination Parkway. Parking lots open about two hours before park opening; the same parking rates and policies apply at both facilities.
Sections of the Epic Universe parking lot are named for themes found in the new park: Hero, Dragon, Viking, and Monster. We strongly recommend taking a photo of the name and number of your parking row so you’ll find your car more easily when you’re ready to leave.
For an additional fee, Prime Self-Parking lets you park closer to the front gate underneath shade-providing solar panels in Epic Universe’s lot. These spots are supposed to be the second closest to the parks, after the handicapped parking section. However, the valet parking loop next to the bus loop is even closer to the turnstiles.
TIP: Don’t attempt to save money by parking at one of the resorts. Unless you are eating at a hotel restaurant that validates, off-site guests are charged a hefty fee for parking at the hotels.
Universal Orlando Resort Bus Transportation to Epic Universe
Universal’s main campus offers a free shuttle-bus service that circulates continuously between its parking garage and Epic Universe, from two hours before park opening until an hour after CityWalk closes. All of the Loews-operated on-site hotels also offer direct bus service to Epic Universe, except for Helios Grand. The trip down Kirkman Road along dedicated bus lanes only takes about 15 minutes.
Watch the ride as guests travel from Helios Grand Hotel to the original Universal Orlando parking hub with this POV video:
Rideshare and Guest Drop-Off at Epic Universe
Epic Universe also has its own designated location for drop-offs; continue past the main parking entrance and follow signs to the color-coded drop-off loops next to accessible parking. No parking fee is required to access these drop-off areas. These are also the designated locations for rideshare vehicles like Uber or Lyft, and they’re the best spots to pick up departing guests at the end of the day. Some guests try to use the valet parking circle for this purpose, but it is officially prohibited.
TIP: The entrance into Epic Universe from the Helios Grand Hotel is exclusively for hotel guests in the mornings, but anyone can exit the park through the hotel lobby and get picked up there after closing.
LYNX Public Bus Transportation to Epic Universe
By far the cheapest option for getting from Orlando International Airport to Universal Orlando is the LYNX public bus. Route #311 costs only $2 per rider each way and takes about 40 minutes to travel from MCO’s Terminal A (Ground Level, spaces A38–A41) to Epic Universe, with stops at Helios Grand at designated times. From Epic Universe, you can catch a free Universal bus to the main campus or any of the other resorts. The bus route also stops at the Sand Lake SunRail Station, Florida Mall, Orange County Convention Center, and Disney Springs. Buses run daily from around 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; visit golynx.com/file/97404/Link_311.pdf for a detailed departure schedule.
Walking to Epic Universe
Finally, it is possible to walk to Epic Universe from two of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels. Located at the back of the Epic Universe theme park, Helios Grand is Universal Orlando’s first hotel that is actually connected to a theme park. Resort guests can use a special entrance to walk directly into Epic Universe from the lobby without having to travel all the way to the park’s front entry; this gate is exclusive for Helios guests in the mornings, but anyone with a park ticket may use it later in the day.
It only takes 10 minutes to walk across the street from Stella Nova and be at Epic Universe’s front door, which is quite a perk for a Prime Value hotel. Don’t bother making the long walk along a busy road from Terra Nova; the bus will be quicker and safer. There are also a handful of off-site hotels close to Epic Universe along Universal Boulevard near the convention center, but they are quite a hike from the park entrance.
What’s your favorite way of getting to and from Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments below!
For all there is to see and do at Universal Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram,, and YouTube.
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