Orlando Sanford Intl Airport (SFB) Flights & Flight Status

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a popular alternative to Orlando International Airport (MCO) for those flying into Central Florida. Located about 30 miles north of downtown Orlando, Sanford serves domestic routes through low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines. (Even though it's technically an international airport, it doesn't have regular international service.) The airport offers a more relaxed and less crowded experience than the chaotic MCO, making it a great option for travelers looking for an easier airport experience.

Everything to know about Sanford's terminals

Sanford has two terminals: Terminal A and Terminal B. Both are connected within the same building, so you don't have to worry about switching terminals. All you have to do is walk! The airport is compact, with just 16 gates between the two terminals, so getting around is straightforward and easy.

Both terminals offer a handful of dining and shopping options, though on a smaller scale than at larger airports like MCO. A top fast-food option is Zaza — Cuban Comfort Food, while a top sit-down restaurant is Sanford Tap. As for shopping, enjoy an Orlando-themed gift shop and a toy shop for kids. There's also an all-day market for grab-and-go convenience.

How to get to Orlando attractions from Sanford

Sanford is definitely a driving-centric airport, so most travelers rent a car here or take a taxi, rideshare or shuttle. But there are limited public transportation options, too. Here's how to get to some of the most popular attractions in Orlando from Sanford.

Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort is about 45 miles from Sanford, and the drive takes about 50 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. The most convenient way to reach the resort is by rental car, taxi or rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. Shuttle services are also available, but these often need to be booked in advance.

If you'd like to take public transportation, it'll require a number of transfers, and it could take more than four hours. As such, I don't recommend choosing this option. To save on taxi or rideshare costs, you could take a car to the Sanford SunRail station, then ride the train to a station closer to Walt Disney World Resort, such as Kissimmee station.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort is slightly closer to Sanford than Walt Disney World Resort, located about 35 miles or a 45-minute drive from the airport. Rideshares and rental cars are the most common transportation options, but you could also take the SunRail to LYNX Central and take a taxi or rideshare from there.

LEGOLAND Resort

LEGOLAND is quite far from Sanford: about 70 miles southwest of the airport, or a 90-minute drive without traffic. And unfortunately, Orlando is notorious for traffic, which could make this ride 2.5-hours long. Rideshares and taxis will be quite expensive, so renting a car may be the most convenient option if you plan on visiting LEGOLAND.

Downtown Orlando

Downtown Orlando is about 30 miles or a 35-minute drive from Sanford, and it’s easily accessible by taxi, rideshare or rental car. As with some of the resorts in the area, you can also take the SunRail train. Fortunately, there are stops directly in downtown Orlando, including LYNX Central, Church Street and Orlando Health / Amtrak.

Port Canaveral

Those cruising out of Port Canaveral might consider flying into Sanford. The cruise port is about 60 miles or an hour drive from the airport. Driving, whether via rental car or rideshare, is the most popular means of transportation between the two. But you can also book a shared shuttle, which can be cheaper than the alternatives.

Should I rent a car, book a shuttle or take a taxi or rideshare from Sanford?

Overall, you should consider how much moving around you plan on doing when you're in Orlando. If you're transferring between resorts and venturing downtown, it might be more cost effective to rent a car than to keep paying for taxis or rideshares. But if you're staying on one resort property, you can stick with using its free transportation options.

You should also consider the number of people you're traveling with. If you have a larger group, it might be more cost effective to rent a large car like a minivan than take extra-large rideshares or multiple taxis. Paying by the seat in a shared shuttle can get expensive for large groups, too.

And finally, don't forget to consider any special needs like car seats. You might want to bring your own car seat and install it in your rental car. If you're taking taxis, shuttles or rideshares, it might be more difficult to bring your own car seat. While you can request rideshares that have car seats available, they may be in low supply.

Sanford alternative airports

MCO is the primary airport serving the Orlando area, and it's located about 30 miles south of Sanford. On the positive side, MCO offers a wider selection of domestic and international flights from major airlines. On the negative side, MCO is one of the busiest airports in the country, and the security lines can be hours long, especially during peak family travel periods like the holidays or spring break.

You might also want to consider Tampa International Airport. Located about 100 miles west of Sanford, Tampa International Airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. While it’s farther away from Orlando’s attractions, Tampa is known for its efficiency and ease of navigation. And if you're heading to the west side of Florida from Orlando, it's almost certainly more convenient than MCO.

If you're heading east from Orlando, say to Port Canaveral or anywhere along the Space Coast, consider flying into Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB). It's about the same distance from Port Canaveral as Sanford, but it has more flights than Sanford, allowing for more flexibility. Daytona is about 50 miles or an hour drive from downtown Orlando.

TSA security lines at Sanford

Because Sanford is such a small airport, there's usually only a short security line. The airport does have lanes for TSA PreCheck, which offer expedited security screening for members of the program. But it does not have CLEAR lanes. If you're traveling at peak times of the year, such as the holidays or spring break, give yourself extra time to go through security, as you might encounter larger crowds.

What to do during a layover at Sanford

Sanford isn't typically a popular layover airport, but some Allegiant travelers do have layovers here. Plus, some travelers might have a layover that includes a transfer between Sanford and MCO. If you have time between flights while you're at Sanford or transferring to or from MCO, here's how you can entertain yourself.

Less than three hours

If your layover is shorter than three hours, it's likely best to stay put at the airport, as you won't have much time to do anything outside the airport. There are no lounges, so you'll be limited to dining and shopping at the handful of businesses within the terminal. There is free WiFi, though, so you can download a book to an e-reader or stream your favorite show to pass the time.

Three to six hours

With three to six hours, you can visit local Sanford attractions. Visit the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, go for a hike at Spring Hammock Preserve or visit downtown Sanford for restaurants, shops and a waterfront promenade. St. Johns River Steak and Seafood is located lakeside on a pier if you'd like to have a meal with a view.

More than six hours

If you have more than six hours, you can venture into downtown Orlando, which is about a 30-minute drive away. There are plenty of restaurants and bars here to keep you occupied, or you could visit art galleries, the Orlando Science Center or the Orange County Regional History Center.

How to get between Sanford and MCO

To transfer between the two airports, you'll have to either pre-book a shuttle or take a taxi or rideshare. The airports are about 30 miles apart, or a 30-minute drive, though traffic can easily double the length of the ride. You could also take the SunRail between Sanford and Sand Lake Road stations, either taking a taxi or rideshare between the train stations and the airports.

If you're transferring between the airports, you need at least four hours to connect. This should allow you enough time to get checked bags (if you have them), make the drive (or train ride) between the two airports, re-check your bag and go through airport security. If you're flying into MCO from an international flight and transferring to Sanford for a domestic flight, give yourself another hour or two for immigration.