Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Ocala travel guide

Ocala Tourism | Ocala Guide

You're Going to Love Ocala

With a population of 56,315, Ocala is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Ocala has to offer.

Where to Eat in Ocala

If you’re looking for affordable options, Market Kitchen & Bar (3600 SW 36th Ave) and Stirrups at World Equestrian Center (8510 NW 17th Lane) are great picks.

When to visit Ocala

Ocala in September
Estimated hotel price
$99
1 night at 3-star hotel
Ocala in September
Estimated hotel price
$99
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Ocala in July, when the average temperature is 80.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 91.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 46.4 °F, with an average temperature of 57.2 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in July, when precipitation is around 8.3″. In contrast, November is usually the driest month of the year in Ocala, with an average rainfall of 1.6″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Ocala

Plane

Although Ocala doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Daytona Beach (DAB), which is located 65 miles from Ocala. Tampa Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from Southwest, American Airlines, Delta and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Ocala departs from New York and takes around 2h 43m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Ocala, followed by Amtrak. The train journey from Ocala to Tampa takes 1h 45m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $36 for a 4h 32m trip. The train station in Ocala is called Ocala, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Ocala is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 64 miles from Ocala. You’ll find branches of Rent-A-Wreck and Advantage, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Ocala Pilot Travel Ctr - 2020 135th St, located 11 miles from downtown Ocala. Ocala is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Ocala doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Daytona Beach (DAB), which is located 65 miles from Ocala. Tampa Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from Southwest, American Airlines, Delta and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Ocala departs from New York and takes around 2h 43m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Ocala, followed by Amtrak. The train journey from Ocala to Tampa takes 1h 45m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $36 for a 4h 32m trip. The train station in Ocala is called Ocala, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Ocala is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 64 miles from Ocala. You’ll find branches of Rent-A-Wreck and Advantage, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Ocala Pilot Travel Ctr - 2020 135th St, located 11 miles from downtown Ocala. Ocala is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city center.

Airports near Ocala

TPATampa
DABDaytona Beach
ORLOrlando All airports

Airlines serving Ocala

KLM
Good (1,431 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,616 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,013 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,564 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,084 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,807 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,076 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,042 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,676 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,431 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,502 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,512 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (879 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,330 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,597 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,088 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,143 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,412 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,411 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Ocala

Where to stay in Ocala

Average rates range from around $143 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $239 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include avid Hotel Ocala Downtown by IHG and Candlewood Suites Ocala I-75 By IHG. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Ocala, with prices from $41 to $307 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Ocala are about 103% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Ocala by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Ocala

Most booked hotels in Ocala

See all
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Silver Springs-Ocala By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.7, 864 reviews)
$80+
View
Equus Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2009 reviews)
$56+
View
Red Roof Inn Ocala
2 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1088 reviews)
$59+
View
Best Western Ocala Park Centre I-75
2 stars
Good (7.7, 1650 reviews)
$65+
View
Super 8 by Wyndham Ocala I-75
2 stars
Good (6.8, 1110 reviews)
$42+
View
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Ocala FL I-75
3 stars
Good (6.3, 2623 reviews)
$53+
View

Renting a car in Ocala

Renting a car in Ocala costs $66 per day, on average, or $263 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Ocala is the Budget branch at 1506 South Pine Avenue, which is 1 mile from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 48% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Ocala (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. Full-size (Chevrolet Impala or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Ocala, while also 58% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Ocala costs $66 per day, on average, or $263 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Ocala is the Budget branch at 1506 South Pine Avenue, which is 1 mile from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 48% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Ocala (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. Full-size (Chevrolet Impala or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Ocala, while also 58% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Ocala

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$27/day

Economy

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$27/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Ocala