The Best Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando 2024

The Best Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando 2024

The Best Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando 2024

This article is your complete guide to the best cheap hotels near Orlando Universal Studios. We love the Endless Summer Resort as the best option for cheap hotels near Universal Studios Orlando. You get the perks of a Universal Orlando hotel, but for a fraction of the price – and we think that’s great. With that being said, there are a ton of cheap hotels near Universal that are not owned by Universal for a great price.

We hope you find this post helpful. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation. This includes access to the cheapest Universal Orlando vacation packages, as well as FREE park plans to save up to three hours in the parks!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando check out our Universal Crowd calendar! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Cheap Hotels Near Orlando Universal Studios 2024 Overview

Lodging can be one of the most expensive parts of a Universal vacation, and luckily, there are almost endless hotels in the Orlando area for those on a budget. There are over 480 hotels in the Orlando area, so we’ve made sure to narrow down the very best cheap hotels near Universal Orlando for 2024. All of the hotels we’ve chosen to rank are within a 10-minute driving distance and are less than $200 per night to book. We have also made it a point to pick some cheap hotels near Universal Orlando which also offer free shuttle service and continental breakfast when possible as these are two of the most popular questions we receive!

You will see that we have also included a mix of cheap off-site Universal Orlando hotels and on-site Universal Orlando value resorts in this guide. So if you are strictly looking to stay at an on-site Universal Orlando hotel just be sure to check out our guide on the best Universal Orlando hotels right here! And we do find it important to note from the beginning that although many of the hotels on this list do offer free shuttle service to and from the theme parks nothing will be more convenient than the free shuttle service which comes with an official Universal Orlando hotel.

What are the best cheap hotels near Universal Studios Orlando 2024?

• DoubleTree by Hilton at Entrance to Universal Orlando – Starting at $83 per night
• Holiday Inn Express and Suites Nearest to Universal Orlando – Starting at $101 per night
• Castle Hotel – Starting at $130 per night
• Crowne Plaza Orlando – Starting at $74 per night
• Best Western Plus Universal Inn – Starting at $84 per night
• Hampton Inn Orlando – Starting at $107 per night
• Wyndham Garden Orlando Universal – Starting at $86 per night
• Comfort Suites Near Universal Resort – Starting at $93 per night
• Universal Surfside Inn & Suites – Starting at $132 per night
• Universal Dockside Inn & Suites – Starting at $132 per night

Are on-site Universal Orlando Resorts or Off-site hotels cheaper at Universal Studios?

As a general rule of thumb, we tend to find the cheapest hotels near Universal Orlando to be off-site hotels such as the Crowne Plaza Orlando, Best Western, Hampton Inn Orlando, and Comfort Suites. However on the flip side from our experience, the transportation can sometimes be limited especially if you are trying to take advantage of early park admission in the morning or attend one of the evening events such as Halloween Horror Nights. So there have been times when we have had to take an Uber or two on our vacation which can sometimes make it a wash when comparing the hotel prices.

Is it better to stay on property at Universal Studios?

From our experience, it is always better to stay at an official Universal Orlando hotel if you are trying to get the most out of your time in the parks. The main reason is we have found that many of the cheap off-site hotels near Universal Orlando don’t have transportation to take guests to the parks for early park admission. However, all of the official Universal Orlando hotels do have transportation which will begin running an hour before early park admission even starts.

So although many of the hotels on this list might be the cheapest option, it’s important to understand that they might not allow you to get the most out of your day. We will say that on the flip side if your family does plan to bring a car then you could potentially drive to the parks for early park admission just be sure to include a parking fee of $27 per day in your budget.

Related post: How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Vacation Packages

What are the Best Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando Ranked 2024?

• #10 – Best Western Plus Universal Inn
• #9 – Holiday Inn Express and Suites Nearest to Universal Orlando
• #8 – Crown Plaza Orlando
• #7 – Hampton Inn Orlando
• #6 – DoubleTree by Hilton at Entrance at Universal Orlando
• #5 – Castle Hotel
• #4 – Comfort Suites Near Universal Resort
• #3 – Wyndham Garden Orlando Universal
• #2 – Universal Dockside Inn & Suites
• #1 – Universal Surfside Inn & Suites

We are now going to go more in-depth on why we ranked the cheap hotels near Universal the way that we did! We determined each rank based on pricing, distances, and overall quality of stay for each hotel.

Related post: Guide to Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando with Free Shuttle

#10 – Best Western Plus Universal Inn – Best Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando

Starting Rates: Starts at $84 per night

Dining Options: Complimentary continental breakfast only

Transportation: Free Shuttle Service

Distance from Universal: 0.15 miles from Universal Orlando

Important to know: The Best Western Plus Universal Inn is a rather basic cheap hotel near Universal Studios, with free breakfast and standard, non-impressive rooms. The reason it has made our list is because not only is it cheap, but it is also within walking distance to Universal Orlando. The Best Western is right across the street, so there is also a free shuttle that runs from 8 AM to 5 PM, every day. We highly recommend checking with the front desk when you get there to see if you have to sign up for the shuttle in advance!

Related post: What are Universal Studios Skip the Line Passes?

#9 – Holiday Inn Express and Suites Nearest to Universal Orlando

Starting Rates: Starting at $101 per night

Dining Options: Full breakfast, breakfast buffet, and continental breakfast included

Transportation: Complimentary Shuttle

Distance from Universal: 1.2 miles

Important to know: While this Holiday Inn Express is rather close to Universal Studios, it is about a 30-minute walk and can feel pretty long. We would recommend signing up for the free shuttle to take you back and forth from the parks, as it will save you some time. This cheap hotel near Universal Orlando also has a huge and tasty breakfast, which many guests say is the best hotel breakfast in the area! 

Related post: The Best Universal Orlando Resort Hotel: Complete Pros and Cons Guide

#8 – Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal Blvd. – Best Cheap Hotels Near Universal

Starting Rates: Starts at $72 a night

Dining Options: Bar, Lounge, Breakfast (for a fee)

Transportation: Scheduled, paid shuttle to Universal

Distance from Universal: 2.7 miles

Important to know: The Crown Plaza hotel is truly one of the nicest, affordable cheapest hotels near Universal Studios. While we don’t love that you have to pay for the shuttle to Universal, and there is no free breakfast, we love that there is a bar and lounge to relax in after a long day at the parks. The Crown Plaza has a high-class feel, for a cheap price, and if you’re visiting more than just Universal, it is rather centrally located. 

Related post: Complete Guide to Best Universal Studios Pool

#7 – Hampton Inn – Closest to Universal

Starting Rates: Starts at $107 a night 

Dining Options: Free hot breakfast

Transportation: Free Shuttle to Universal Orlando

Distance from Universal: 1.3 miles

Important to know: The Hampton Inn is one of the cheap Universal Orlando Partner Hotels, which means you will have complimentary scheduled transportation to the parks and discounts on select merchandise and food! While the Hampton Inn still does have affordable rates, it is one of the more expensive choices on our list, so keep that in mind when booking for 2024. 

Related post: How to Get the Universal Express Pass For Free

#6 – DoubleTree By Hilton at Entrance at Universal Orlando

Starting Rates: Starts at $83 per night

Dining Options: American Grill Restaurant, Gelato Shop, Pizza, Burgers & More, Starbucks, Sunshine Cafe

Transportation: Complimentary Universal Partner Hotel Shuttle

Distance from Universal: 0.9 miles from Universal

Important to know: The DoubleTree is another one of the cheapest hotels near Universal Studios where walking is an option. There is a safe walking bridge right at the edge of the hotel parking lot, which takes about 10 – 15 minutes to get to Universal. The shuttle offered at the DoubleTree is scheduled and should be checked on return times, as it doesn’t run continuously throughout the day. We also love the amount of dining options at DoubleTree, as it will truly feel like a vacation just staying there!

Related post: Grocery Delivery to Universal Orlando Resorts

#5 – Castle Hotel – Best Theme for Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando

Starting Rates: Starting at $130 per night

Dining Options: The Guild Restaurant and Bar

Transportation: Transtar Taxi

Distance from Universal: 3.5 miles

Important to know: The Castle Hotel is by far the most expensive one of the cheap hotels by Universal Studios Orlando. The Castle Hotel is a Marriott Hotel, but beyond any other Marriott you’ve ever stayed in. This hotel looks like a castle (with spires and everything!), with a luxurious feel for an affordable price. The biggest downfall is that there is no shuttle bus to and from the Castle Hotel, but it is rather close that a taxi or rideshare wouldn’t be too expensive. 

Related post: Pet-Friendly Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando

#4- Comfort Suites Near Universal Resort – Best Cheap Hotel Near Universal Orlando For Free Services

Starting Rates: Starting at $93 per night

Dining Options: Free hot breakfast, free coffee in the lobby

Transportation: Complimentary Scheduled Shuttle

Distance from Universal: 2 miles

Important to know: The Comfort Suites isn’t a luxurious or elegant hotel, but it is clean, has great service and staff, and great reviews! Comfort Suites is truly one of the best cheap hotels near Universal Studios Orlando, FL because there are so many included free perks. The Universal Shuttle, breakfast, and self-parking are free and there is no resort fee, so whatever price is offered is what you have to pay. We love that there aren’t a bunch of hidden fees, which makes your stay so cheap!

Related post: Complete Guide to Using Virtual Lines at Universal

#3 – Wyndham Garden Orlando Universal – I Drive – Best Service for Cheap Hotels Near Universal Studios

Starting Rates: Starts at $86 per night

Dining Options: Garden and Grill Lounge, no free breakfast

Transportation: No shuttle, taxi or rideshare

Distance from Universal: 1.9 miles

Important to know: The Wyndham at I Drive is so high on our list because it truly has some of the best rates for cheap hotels by Universal Studios Orlando. The reviews of the Wyndham at I Drive are exceptional and rave about the service and staff that work there. We love that there is a saltwater pool, which is a huge benefit for those wanting to relax in the sun. Unfortunately, there is no complimentary shuttle, but guests have noted you can Uber or Lyft for about $8 one way to Universal! 

Related post: Complete Guide to Universal Orlando Characters

#2 – Universal Dockside Inn & Suites

Starting Rates: Starting at $132 per night

Dining Options: Pier 8 Market, The Wave Maker’s Pool Bar, The Oasis Beach Bar, Starbucks, Sunset Lounge

Transportation: Free Universal Shuttle Bus

Distance from Universal: 2.2 miles

Important to know: Dockside Inn and Suites is one of the 8 official Universal Orlando hotels offered for guests to book and is the sister hotel of Surfside Inn & Suites. All guests staying at Dockside Inn and Suites get Early Park Admission with their stay, which means getting into the parks one hour before the regular park opens. There is also a regularly scheduled shuttle bus that picks up guests every 20 minutes, which is super convenient and reliable. We also feel like the different varieties of suites here make this one of the best Universal Orlando hotels for large families! 

#1 – Universal Surfside Inn & Suites

Starting Rates: Starts at $132 per night

Dining Options: Beach Break Cafe, Sand Bar, Starbucks

Transportation: Free Universal Shuttle bus

Distance from Universal: 2.2 miles

Important to know: Our pick for the best cheap hotel near Universal Orlando is Surfside Inn and Suites. Both Surfside and Dockside Inn and Suites will have the same pricing, room size, and overall feel, but we prefer Surfside. Surfside feels calmer than Dockside Inn and Suites, and we prefer the dining at Surfside which gives it an edge. You will also get to use the free Universal shuttle bus and get Early Park Admission with your stay, which is the biggest perk.

Related post: Complete Guide to Universal Studios Orlando Transportation

Cheap Hotels Near Orlando Universal Studios 2024 FAQ

Q: Can you walk from the hotel to Universal Studios Orlando?

A: Yes, there are many hotels that you can walk to Universal Orlando from. Most of our hotels are within a mile of the parks, and offer walking paths, sidewalks, or free transportation to make your way there!

Q: Do the cheap hotels near Universal provide early park admission?

A: All of the cheap friendly neighbor hotels near Universal Orlando found on our hotel page do include early park admission to the parks! The main reason is that your hotel and tickets will be booked as a vacation package through Universal Parks and Resorts. This will also allow any guests who book more than 45 days out to book their package for as little as $50 down per person.

Q: How much does the average hotel within walking distance of Universal Orlando cost?

A: As a general rule of thumb, most guests can expect to pay around $125.00 per night for most of the cheap hotels near Universal Orlando. We have also found that many of these hotels will offer a free complimentary breakfast as well as free on-site parking. However, the most important thing to keep in mind when booking one of the off-site hotels near Universal is that many of them will have amenity fees as well.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs buying direct, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits that can help save you up to three hours in the parks! 

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!