Comparison · Fort Lauderdale vs Miami · United States
Fort Lauderdale vs Miami
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KeanoManu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Fort Lauderdale for Fort Lauderdale Beach and canals and yachts; choose Miami for South Beach, Art Deco architecture and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 40 km (25 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 40 km (25 mi)
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Fort Lauderdale
- November–April
- Best time for Miami
- December–April
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Side by side
| Fort Lauderdale | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Fort Lauderdale Beach, Canals and yachts and Las Olas Boulevard | South Beach, Art Deco architecture and Cuban food |
| Best time to visit | November–April | December–April |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$220–380 | US$230–400 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 24°C (75°F) | January, 24°C (75°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | Fort Lauderdale Beach | South Beach |
| Airports | FLL, MIA, DJT | MIA, FLL |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Fort Lauderdale in June, August and October–November. Both are at their best in December–April.
| Month | Fort Lauderdale | Miami | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 24°C (75°F), 7 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| February | 25°C (77°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 25°C (77°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| March | 26°C (79°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 26°C (79°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| April | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 30°C (86°F), 10 rainy days · shoulder season | 30°C (86°F), 10 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| June | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days · shoulder season | 31°C (88°F), 17 rainy days | Fort Lauderdale |
| July | 32°C (90°F), 15 rainy days | 32°C (90°F), 17 rainy days | No clear pick |
| August | 32°C (90°F), 17 rainy days | 32°C (90°F), 19 rainy days · best avoided | Fort Lauderdale |
| September | 31°C (88°F), 17 rainy days · best avoided | 31°C (88°F), 18 rainy days · best avoided | Neither: both best avoided |
| October | 29°C (84°F), 13 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 13 rainy days | Fort Lauderdale |
| November | 27°C (81°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 27°C (81°F), 8 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
| December | 25°C (77°F), 8 rainy days · best time | 25°C (77°F), 7 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Fort Lauderdale for…
Fort Lauderdale Beach and canals and yachts. Fort Lauderdale is a beach and boating city on Florida's Atlantic coast, about 45 km north of Miami. Its wide public beach runs along State Road A1A behind a white wave-shaped wall, while inland the New River and hundreds of kilometres of canals are lined…
Choose Miami for…
South Beach, Art Deco architecture and free sights. Miami pairs a long barrier-island beach, Miami Beach, with a mainland city of Cuban cafés, glass towers and street art. South Beach's Art Deco District and Ocean Drive face the Atlantic; across Biscayne Bay, Little Havana, Wynwood, Brickell and Coconut Grove…
Top sights compared
| # | Fort Lauderdale | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade | South Beach |
| 2 | Las Olas Boulevard | Art Deco Historic District |
| 3 | Water Taxi | Wynwood Walls |
| 4 | Bonnet House Museum and Gardens | Vizcaya Museum and Gardens |
| 5 | Hugh Taylor Birch State Park | Little Havana and Calle Ocho |
Food compared
| Fort Lauderdale | Miami |
|---|---|
| Smoked fish dip | Cuban sandwich |
| Stone crab claws | Cafecito and colada |
| Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich | Croquetas |
| Conch fritters | Pastelitos |
Which is cheaper?
Fort Lauderdale and Miami cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly US$220–380 in Fort Lauderdale and US$230–400 in Miami (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Fort Lauderdale on a budget.
Fort Lauderdale or Miami from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Fort Lauderdale | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | Same time | Same time |
| Time vs Los Angeles | +3 h | +3 h |
| From New York (JFK) | 1,070 mi (1,720 km) | 1,090 mi (1,760 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 2,340 mi (3,760 km) | 2,340 mi (3,770 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
Fort Lauderdale and Miami are about the same distance from New York.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale and Miami are about 40 km (25 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Fort Lauderdale and 5 in Miami.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Fort Lauderdale or Miami cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about US$220–380 in Fort Lauderdale and US$230–400 in Miami (estimates).
+Is Fort Lauderdale or Miami better for a first trip?
Pick Fort Lauderdale for Fort Lauderdale Beach and canals and yachts, or Miami for South Beach, Art Deco architecture and free sights.
+How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?
About 40 km (25 mi) in a straight line.