Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major gateway to South Florida, located approximately 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami. The airport serves over 35 million passengers annually and is a popular alternative to Miami International Airport (MIA), particularly for budget travelers and cruise ship passengers heading to nearby Port Everglades.

The airport has four terminals arranged in a rectangular layout with parking garages in the center:

• Terminal 1: Southwest Airlines hub, also serves Alaska, Allegiant, Bahamasair, Copa, Frontier, United, and others (Concourses A, B, C)
• Terminal 2: Delta Air Lines (Concourse D)
• Terminal 3: JetBlue, American Airlines, Avelo, Azul, El Al, Sun Country (Concourses E, F)
• Terminal 4: Spirit Airlines hub, international carriers including Air Transat, Porter, Flair (Concourse G)

FLL is a hub for Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, and Allegiant Air, making it one of the busiest airports for low-cost carriers in the United States. Its proximity to Port Everglades (the world's third-busiest cruise port) makes FLL the preferred airport for cruise passengers sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is located 3 miles south of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of downtown Miami.

Typical travel times:

• Downtown Fort Lauderdale: 10-15 minutes by car
• Fort Lauderdale Beach: 15-20 minutes by car
• Port Everglades (cruise terminal): 5-10 minutes by car
• Miami Beach/South Beach: 35-50 minutes by car (traffic dependent)
• Downtown Miami: 30-45 minutes by car
• Miami International Airport (MIA): 30-45 minutes by car

The airport is easily accessible from I-95 and I-595. Traffic on I-95 can be heavy during rush hours, significantly increasing travel times to Miami.

Uber & Lyft

Uber and Lyft operate at all FLL terminals with designated pickup areas.

• Pickup location: Lower level (Arrivals), look for "Ride App Pickup" signs on the outermost curb between terminals
• Tip: Some travelers coordinate with drivers for pickup on the upper level (Departures) to avoid congestion
• Services available: UberX, UberXL, Uber Comfort, Lyft, Lyft XL

Destination	Estimated Fare	Time
Downtown Fort Lauderdale	$12-20	10-15 min
Fort Lauderdale Beach	$15-25	15-20 min
Port Everglades	$10-15	5-10 min
Miami Beach/South Beach	$45-70	35-50 min
Miami International Airport	$40-60	30-45 min

Tip: You can reserve airport pickups up to 90 days in advance through Uber, with price lock and flight tracking features.

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue at designated stands on the lower level (Arrivals) of each terminal, available 24/7.

Destination	Approximate Fare
Downtown Fort Lauderdale	$19
Port Everglades	$20
Miami Beach/South Beach	$80
Miami International Airport	$72
Port of Miami	$86

Tri-Rail

Tri-Rail is South Florida's commuter rail connecting Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport station is located at Dania Beach, with free shuttle service to the terminals.

To Downtown Fort Lauderdale or Miami:

1. Take the free Tri-Rail shuttle from any terminal (every 15-20 min)
2. Board Tri-Rail at the airport station
3. To Fort Lauderdale: 1 stop north (10 min)
4. To Miami: Transfer at Metrorail Transfer station for downtown Miami

Destination	Journey Time	Fare
Fort Lauderdale station	10 min	$2.50
Miami (via Metrorail transfer)	1 hour	$5-7
West Palm Beach	1 hour 15 min	$6.90

Operating hours: Monday-Friday 4:30am-11:30pm, weekends with reduced service

Brightline (High-Speed Rail)

Brightline connects Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach with airport shuttle service.

• Airport Connector Shuttle: $12 per person from Brightline Fort Lauderdale station to FLL
• Shuttles depart twice per hour, approximately 30-minute intervals
• Same-day Brightline ticket required

Destination	Brightline Time	Fare
Miami Central	30 min	$12-29
West Palm Beach	30 min	$12-29
Orlando	3.5 hours	$79-149

Broward County Transit (Bus)

Route 1 connects FLL to downtown Fort Lauderdale and Brightline station.

• From: Central Terminal Bay C1
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Fare: $2
• Journey time: 20-25 minutes to downtown

FLL offers three main parking garages plus overflow lots, all connected to terminals via covered walkways or free shuttle.

On-Site Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
Hibiscus Garage (Short-term)	Connected to Terminals 1-2	$2/20 min, max $36/day
Palm Garage (Long-term)	Connected to Terminals 3-4	$2/20 min, max $20/day
Cypress Garage (Long-term)	Central location	$2/20 min, max $20/day
Valet Parking	Upper level, Terminals 1 & 4	$30/day
Overflow Lot	Opens when garages full	$10/day

Weekly rates: $105/week (Hibiscus or Palm), $175/week (Valet)

Tips:

• SunPass Plus: Use designated lanes for automatic payment
• EV charging: Complimentary stations in Hibiscus and Palm garages
• Cell Phone Lot: Free parking up to 20 minutes while waiting for arrivals
• First 10 minutes free for drop-off in short-term areas

FLL dining options vary significantly by terminal. Terminals 1 and 2 have more diverse, higher-quality options, while Terminals 3 and 4 are more limited.

Terminal 1

• Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar: Mexican cuisine, extensive tequila selection
• Shake Shack: Burgers and milkshakes (also in Terminal 2)
• BurgerFi: Quality burgers
• Whiskey River: Southern-style comfort food
• Fresh Attractions: Salads and smoothies
• Starbucks: Coffee and snacks
• Auntie Anne's: Pretzels

Terminal 2

• Shake Shack: Burgers and milkshakes
• Flash Fire Pizza: Build-your-own pizzas
• Margaritaville: Caribbean-inspired cuisine
• Sergio's: Cuban cuisine, sandwiches, coffee

Terminal 3

• Sky Asian Bistro: Asian cuisine
• Rocco's Tacos: Mexican food
• Chipotle Mexican Grill: Fast-casual Mexican
• Steak 'n Shake: Burgers
• Dunkin': Coffee and breakfast
• Burger King: Fast food

Terminal 4

• Kafe Kalik: Caribbean and American cuisine (Priority Pass dining credit accepted)
• Fresh Selections: Healthy options
• Limited dining choices overall

Tips:

• Most restaurants close by 8-9pm; late-night options are very limited
• Early morning travelers (before 6am) may find only Dunkin' open
• Service can be slow even at fast-food locations; plan accordingly

Free WiFi is available throughout Fort Lauderdale Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Airport-Wifi-Terminal_X (varies by terminal) or FLLWiFi
Cost	Free
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	All terminals, lounges, rental car center
Speed	Adequate for browsing; Terminal 3 reports ~162 Mbps median

Tip: Consider using a VPN when connecting to public WiFi networks.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though prices are typically higher than city stores.

Airport Locations

• InMotion (Terminal 3, Concourse F): Electronics retailer selling Ultra Mobile SIM cards
• InMotion (Terminal 4, Concourse G West): Same offerings
• Currency exchange kiosks (Terminal 4): May carry basic SIM options

Pricing (Approximate)

Provider	Data	Price
Ultra Mobile (at InMotion)	Various plans	From $20
T-Mobile prepaid	Unlimited	$50-70/month
AT&T prepaid	8GB	$40/month

Better alternatives:

• T-Mobile stores on US-1 (north of airport) or Sheridan Street (south, in Dania)
• Order an eSIM online before arrival if your phone supports it
• Pre-order SIM for hotel delivery

ATMs are located throughout all terminals in both landside and airside areas.

ATM Locations

• Multiple ATMs in each terminal near security checkpoints and gate areas
• Major bank networks: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange services are limited, primarily located on the lower level of Terminal 4.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw USD from ATMs using a no-fee debit card (Schwab, Wise, etc.)
• The US is card-friendly; credit/debit cards accepted nearly everywhere
• Use Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates before traveling

Tip: Airport exchange rates include significant markups. Avoid exchanging large amounts at the airport.

FLL offers standard airport retail across all terminals.

Notable Stores

• InMotion (Terminals 3, 4): Electronics, headphones, chargers, travel accessories
• Hudson News: Books, magazines, snacks, travel essentials
• Tech on the Go (Terminal 1): Electronics
• MAC Cosmetics (Terminal 1): Makeup
• Brighton Collectibles: Accessories
• Sunglass Hut: Eyewear

Duty-Free

Duty-free shopping is available in Terminal 4 for international departures.

Tip: Terminal 1 has the best shopping selection due to its recent $300 million renovation.

FLL has limited lounge options, with access depending heavily on your departure terminal.

Priority Pass Options

Escape Lounge (Terminal 3, between Gates E and F):

• Access: Priority Pass, select American Express cards, pay at door
• Hours: 5:00am-9:00pm daily
• Amenities: Hot food, premium bar, high-speed WiFi, family room, workstations, printers
• Quality: Named "Rising Star 2025" at Dragonpass Global Awards; modern and well-reviewed

Kafe Kalik (Terminal 4, near Gate G6):

• Access: Priority Pass dining credit ($28 per cardholder)
• Hours: 10:00am-8:00pm daily
• Type: Restaurant, not a traditional lounge
• Note: Some Priority Pass memberships (especially credit card versions) exclude restaurant access

Airline Lounges

Delta Sky Club (Terminal 2):

• Access: Delta One, First Class, Diamond/Platinum Medallion, Sky Club members
• Not available via Priority Pass

United Club (Terminal 1):

• Access: United Business Class, Premier 1K/Platinum, United Club members
• Not available via Priority Pass

Important Notes

• Terminal 4 passengers: No traditional lounge options; only Kafe Kalik dining credit
• Terminals 1 and 2: Airline-specific lounges only; no Priority Pass access
• If departing from Terminal 3, the Escape Lounge is your best option

At the Airport

FLL does not have a hotel directly connected to the terminals, but several are within minutes by free shuttle.

Hilton Garden Inn Ft Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port

• 3 miles from airport, free shuttle
• Also offers Port Everglades transfers (additional fee)
• From $150/night

Hotel Dello Fort Lauderdale Airport (Tapestry Collection by Hilton)

• 3 miles from airport, complimentary shuttle
• Walking distance to Casino at Dania Beach
• From $120/night

Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport/South Cruise Port

• 3 miles from airport, free shuttle
• 5 miles from cruise port and Hollywood Beach
• From $130/night

Budget Options

Tru By Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport

• Free airport shuttle, free breakfast
• Near Dania Pointe shopping
• From $100/night

Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport - Dania Beach

• Walking distance to Hollywood Boardwalk
• Near restaurants and beach
• From $120/night

Near the Cruise Port

If sailing from Port Everglades, many hotels offer cruise port shuttles:

• Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina: On the water, upscale
• Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port: Good value, modern
• Home2 Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port: Extended stay option

Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Venice of America" for its extensive canal system, offering beautiful beaches, a vibrant nightlife scene, and easy access to the Everglades and Miami. It's also one of the world's busiest cruise departure points.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Fort Lauderdale Beach	15-20 min	Uber/Lyft or Bus Route 1 + 40
Las Olas Boulevard	15 min	Uber/Lyft
Port Everglades	5-10 min	Uber ($10-15), Taxi ($20)
Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall	20-25 min	Uber/Lyft
Miami Beach/South Beach	35-50 min	Uber ($45-70) or Tri-Rail + Metrorail
Downtown Miami	30-45 min	Uber or Brightline
Everglades National Park	45-60 min	Car rental recommended

Cruise Passengers

FLL is the closest major airport to Port Everglades, the third-busiest cruise port in the world:

• Distance: 3 miles, 5-10 minutes by car
• Taxi: ~$20 flat rate
• Uber/Lyft: $10-15
• Cruise line transfers: Typically $35-50 per person
• Shared shuttles: $15-20 per person

Tip: For groups of 3+, taxi or rideshare is usually cheaper than cruise line transfers.

Fort Lauderdale Highlights

• Fort Lauderdale Beach: 7 miles of golden sand, beach bars, water sports
• Las Olas Boulevard: Upscale shopping, dining, galleries
• Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale: Scenic waterfront promenade
• NSU Art Museum: Contemporary art collection
• Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: Historic estate and gardens
• Water Taxi: Scenic way to explore the canals and Intracoastal Waterway

Miami Proximity

FLL is a popular alternative to Miami International Airport (MIA):

• Often has cheaper flights, especially on Spirit and JetBlue
• 21 miles north of MIA
• 35-50 minutes to Miami Beach by car
• Brightline high-speed rail connects to downtown Miami in 30 minutes

Day Trips from Fort Lauderdale

• Miami Beach/South Beach: 35-50 min by car
• Everglades: Airboat tours, 45 min west
• Palm Beach/Worth Avenue: 45 min north
• Key Largo: 1.5 hours south (start of the Florida Keys)
• Boca Raton: 30 min north

Local Tips

• Weather: Tropical climate; afternoon thunderstorms common May-October
• Hurricane season: June-November; check forecasts during these months
• Tipping: 15-20% expected at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars
• Dress code: Casual; beach attire common but cover up for restaurants
• Spring Break: Fort Lauderdale beaches can be crowded February-April