Comparison · Fort Lauderdale vs Orlando · United States
Fort Lauderdale vs Orlando
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, canals and yachts, beaches and a short break; choose Orlando for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Fort Lauderdale is generally less expensive, and the two are about 295 km (183 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 295 km (183 mi)
- Less expensive
- Fort Lauderdale
- Best time for Fort Lauderdale
- November–April
- Best time for Orlando
- January–February and October–November
Plan either trip
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Side by side
| Fort Lauderdale | Orlando | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Fort Lauderdale Beach, Canals and yachts and Las Olas Boulevard | Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Theme parks |
| Best time to visit | November–April | January–February and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$220–380 | US$250–450 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | June, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 24°C (75°F) | January, 22°C (72°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 2 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | Fort Lauderdale Beach | — |
| Airports | FLL, MIA, DJT | MCO, SFB |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Fort Lauderdale in March–April, June and December, and Orlando in September–October. Both are at their best in January–February and November.
| Month | Fort Lauderdale | Orlando | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 22°C (72°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| February | 25°C (77°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 24°C (75°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| March | 26°C (79°F), 7 rainy days · best time | 26°C (79°F), 7 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
| April | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 5 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
| May | 30°C (86°F), 10 rainy days · shoulder season | 32°C (90°F), 7 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| June | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days · shoulder season | 33°C (91°F), 15 rainy days | Fort Lauderdale |
| July | 32°C (90°F), 15 rainy days | 33°C (91°F), 17 rainy days | No clear pick |
| August | 32°C (90°F), 17 rainy days | 33°C (91°F), 17 rainy days | No clear pick |
| September | 31°C (88°F), 17 rainy days · best avoided | 32°C (90°F), 14 rainy days | Orlando |
| October | 29°C (84°F), 13 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 7 rainy days · best time | Orlando |
| November | 27°C (81°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 26°C (79°F), 5 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| December | 25°C (77°F), 8 rainy days · best time | 23°C (73°F), 6 rainy days · shoulder season | Fort Lauderdale |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Fort Lauderdale for…
Fort Lauderdale Beach, canals and yachts, beaches and a short break. 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…
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Choose Orlando for…
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Orlando is built around its theme parks: Walt Disney World's four parks, Universal Orlando's three, including Epic Universe, and SeaWorld lie within about half an hour's drive of each other south-west of the city. Beyond the parks, Downtown, Winter Park and…
Top sights compared
| # | Fort Lauderdale | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade | Magic Kingdom |
| 2 | Las Olas Boulevard | EPCOT |
| 3 | Water Taxi | Disney's Hollywood Studios |
| 4 | Bonnet House Museum and Gardens | Disney's Animal Kingdom |
| 5 | Hugh Taylor Birch State Park | Universal Studios Florida |
Food compared
| Fort Lauderdale | Orlando |
|---|---|
| Smoked fish dip | Dole Whip |
| Stone crab claws | Butterbeer |
| Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich | Smoked turkey leg |
| Conch fritters | Mickey ice cream bar |
Which is cheaper?
Fort Lauderdale is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about US$220–380 per person there, against US$250–450 in Orlando (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Fort Lauderdale on a budget.
Fort Lauderdale or Orlando from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Fort Lauderdale | Orlando | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 940 mi (1,510 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 2,340 mi (3,760 km) | 2,210 mi (3,550 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
From New York, Orlando is about 127 miles (204 km) closer than Fort Lauderdale in a straight line.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale and Orlando are about 295 km (183 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Fort Lauderdale and 7 in Orlando.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Fort Lauderdale or Orlando cheaper?
Fort Lauderdale is usually less expensive: about US$220–380 a day mid-range against US$250–450 (estimates).
+Is Fort Lauderdale or Orlando better for a first trip?
Pick Fort Lauderdale for Fort Lauderdale Beach, canals and yachts, beaches and a short break, or Orlando for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
+How far is Fort Lauderdale from Orlando?
About 295 km (183 mi) in a straight line.