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 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Ocala has to offer.
Activities & attractions in Ocala
Art & Performing Arts
Where to Eat in Ocala
If you’re looking for affordable options, Sky Fine Dining (3600 SW 38th Ave. Sixth Floor) and Mesa de Notte (2436 E. Silver Springs Blvd.) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Katya Vineyards (11 E Silver Springs Blvd) and Celebrity’s Soul Food - Ocala (2237 SW 19th Ave RD Suite 102) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Ocala.
When to visit Ocala
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″.
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 Air France, JetBlue, Delta and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Ocala departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 27m.
Train
Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Ocala, followed by Brightline. The train journey from Ocala to Tampa takes 1h 49m and costs around $12 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Jacksonville, expect to pay about $17 for a 2h 39m 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 Fox and Hertz, among others, in Orlando.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Ocala, including Jet Set Express, RedCoach and FlixBus. From Lake Worth, the bus ride to Ocala takes 165 miles and will cost you around $47. From Fort Lauderdale, the ticket costs about $47 for a journey of 240 miles. 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.
Airlines serving Ocala
Where to stay in Ocala
Average rates range from around $198 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $272 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include avid Hotel Ocala Downtown, an IHG Hotel and Candlewood Suites - Ocala I-75, An IHG Hotel.
Where to stay in popular areas of Ocala
Most booked hotels in Ocala
Renting a car in Ocala
Renting a car in Ocala costs $52 per day, on average, or $156 if you want to rent if for 3 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 Hertz branch at 970 Sw 6th Ave Suite 107, 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, 30% more expensive than at Orlando.
Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Ocala is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Sonic Sedan or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.