Airport
 

Flying into Orlando isn't too bad but flying out is a nightmare. I flew into Orlando yesterday (12/26) and when we walked off the plane the crowds were horrible waiting for flights. Flying out has been really bad. I flew out in November and had a cancellation while waiting to board with a very packed boarding gate and a very late delay the next day with the replacement flight. This was Frontier but all airlines are messed up flying out of Orlando. Lots of sick kids too! I fly every few months but still use Orlando with caution. If you can, book the first flight in the morning. I agree Tampa is better and the rental car area in both are very convenient but I always fly Orlando due to distance. Remember to bring your
E Z Pass or Sun Pass for Orlando tolls. They go through TSA with no problem. They can add up. Best of luck!

Tampa, no doubt about it. Orlando is an insane asylum gone amok

Airport
 

IMHO Tampa is by far easier. Straight down I 75 no turns. Farther but about the same travel time and a lot easier.

One thing I would advise, if you fly into Orlando you’ll need to use the toll road to get to TV. Toll roads in rental cars can be expensive depending on the company. The trip from Tampa is not a toll road. If you choose to go from Orlando to TV without taking tolls the trip is hellish.

If you are staying at the Brownwood hotel & Spa, Workman bus company will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel. When you're ready to leave and go back to the airport, they will pick you up and take you again. This service is free of charge to hotel guest. You can call the hotel at 352-626-1246 to ask about it or you can call Workman Transportation bus at 352-259-9398. You can pick up a rental car in The Villages for less money than at the airport.

I forgot to tell you that Workman Transportation will only pick up at Orlando airport. They don't do other airports.

I applaud every time I land. Have never understood how heavy planes stays up.

Just got back from our second trip to the villages last week. Our first trip we flew into Orando and had a shuttle take us. This time we flew into Tampa. Drive was super easy and no tolls! We rented a car for 2 weeks. I rented from an offsite Hertz that was 5 miles from the airport. Rental at the airport was over 700 and off airport was 282. Same car. Took uber to the rental and back to the airport. $21 to Hertz and $14 back to the airport. We also had a golf cart for our stay. But also wanted to venture outside of the Villages to get to know the area. Also saw friends in Ocala and Cocoa beach while we were there. I liked Tampa airport better. But would use both.
Kevin

Turnpike
 

We live about a half mile from Homestead recreation center and took the golf cart to the newest construction area of Newel etc. You can actually see the on-ramp sign off of 470 from the Franklin recreation center if you are in the road up front.

Homefinder - The Villages(R) Homes and Villas for Sale

Enterprise Rental Car office, Sumter Landing
 

There is an Enterprise Rental Car Office in Sumter Landing Square. They are pleasant to deal with. Rentals can be arranged through Costco Travel Car Rentals, with Costco discounts.

Contact your hotel for complimentary airport shuttle service

Poor to no signal is correct.
 

We were picking up our two adult children coming from different locations. They were supposed to arrive within a couple hours of each other but one had their flight delayed. We wasted time eating lunch and going to Costco but eventually we went to the cell phone lot. Spent three hours there with barely any Wi-Fi or cell service. I don’t like Orlando’s airport at all. Security is always a mess too.

Really like Workman
 

Workman is so easy. I prefer Tampa to Orlando. Wish Workman went to Tampa too.

Tampa
 

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I think security in Orlando is a nightmare. It’s a longer drive but we like Tampa.

I prefer Tampa by a long shot. It is a more direct route, there are no tolls, easier to get a rental, fewer kids on the flights. Last time at Orlando it is so big know it took us over 2 hours to find the rental car counters and then get to the cars. The new terminal is beautiful but get ready to walk there is something like 100 gates there.