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
$100
1 night at 3-star hotel
Ocala in September
Estimated hotel price
$100
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 Chicago and takes around 2h 40m.

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.

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 Chicago and takes around 2h 40m.

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.

Airports near Ocala

TPATampa
DABDaytona Beach
ORLOrlando All airports

Airlines serving Ocala

Lufthansa
Good (8,084 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,530 reviews)
British Airways
Good (8,056 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,421 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,408 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,972 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,238 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,610 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,865 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (937 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,727 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,591 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,841 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,227 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,202 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,413 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,454 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (412 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,385 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,286 reviews)
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Find flights to Ocala

Where to stay in Ocala

Average rates range from around $144 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $252 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 $45 to $468 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Ocala are about 36% 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, 886 reviews)
$93+
View
Equus Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 2118 reviews)
$61+
View
avid Hotel Ocala Downtown by IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.6, 442 reviews)
$84+
View
Super 8 by Wyndham Ocala I-75
2 stars
Good (6.6, 1173 reviews)
$47+
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Howard Johnson by Wyndham Ocala FL I-75
3 stars
Good (6.5, 2774 reviews)
$58+
View
Extended Stay America Select Suites - Ocala
2 stars
Okay (4.8, 312 reviews)
$56+
View

Renting a car in Ocala

Renting a car in Ocala costs $72 per day, on average, or $287 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Budget, Hertz and Avis 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, 56% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $4.47 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 $53.60 and $71.47. Full-size (Chevrolet Impala or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Ocala, while also 64% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Ocala costs $72 per day, on average, or $287 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Budget, Hertz and Avis 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, 56% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $4.47 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 $53.60 and $71.47. Full-size (Chevrolet Impala or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Ocala, while also 64% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Ocala

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$36/day

Intermediate

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$36/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Ocala