Getting around · Fort Lauderdale · United States
Getting around Fort Lauderdale
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale · Photo: Chaplin62, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Fort Lauderdale is spread out, but the beach, Las Olas and downtown are linked by the Water Taxi, short rideshares and buses. Brightline and Tri-Rail trains connect the city with Miami and Palm Beach. Not essential for a beach-and-Las Olas stay: use the Water Taxi, rideshares and Brightline.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Boat
- Airports
- FLL, MIA, DJT
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- Water Taxi day pass
Plan a trip to Fort Lauderdale
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Ways to get around
Boat
The Water Taxi runs hop-on, hop-off routes along the New River and the Intracoastal between downtown, Las Olas, the beach hotels and other stops, doubling as a sightseeing tour.
A day pass is better value than single rides if you make more than two trips.
Train
Brightline's high-speed trains from downtown reach Miami in about 35 minutes and West Palm Beach in about 40, with onward service to Orlando. Tri-Rail commuter trains run inland with a station near the airport.
Bus
Broward County Transit runs buses across the county, including routes along A1A and between downtown and the beach.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are quick for the short hops between the beach, Las Olas, Wilton Manors and the airport.
Car
A car is useful for the Everglades, outlet shopping and day trips, but beach parking is metered and fills at weekends.
Many city meters use a pay-by-phone app; download it before you arrive.
Walking
The beach promenade, Las Olas Boulevard and the Riverwalk are each pleasant on foot, but distances between them are long in the heat.
Tickets and passes
Water Taxi day pass
Unlimited hop-on, hop-off rides for a day on the Water Taxi network.
From the airport
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL) is about 5 km south of downtown, roughly 15 minutes by car to Las Olas or the beach, and close to Port Everglades. Miami International (MIA) is about 45 minutes away, and President Donald J. Trump International (DJT, formerly Palm Beach International) about an hour, both often worth checking for flights.
Do you need a car?
Not essential for a beach-and-Las Olas stay: use the Water Taxi, rideshares and Brightline. Rent a car for the Everglades, Sawgrass Mills, Butterfly World or the Keys.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Miami and Miami Beach | About 35 minutes by Brightline; 45–60 minutes by car | Brightline train to MiamiCentral, or car via I-95 |
| Everglades National Park (Shark Valley) | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via I-75 or US 27 and the Tamiami Trail |
| Palm Beach and West Palm Beach | About 40 minutes by Brightline; about 1 hour by car | Brightline to West Palm Beach, or car via I-95 |
| Delray Beach and the Morikami Gardens | About 40 minutes by car | Car via I-95 |
| Key Largo and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park | About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by car | Car via the Florida Turnpike and US 1 |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Fort Lauderdale?
Not essential for a beach-and-Las Olas stay: use the Water Taxi, rideshares and Brightline. Rent a car for the Everglades, Sawgrass Mills, Butterfly World or the Keys.
+How do you get from the airport to Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL) is about 5 km south of downtown, roughly 15 minutes by car to Las Olas or the beach, and close to Port Everglades. Miami International (MIA) is about 45 minutes away, and President Donald J. Trump International (DJT, formerly Palm Beach International) about an hour, both often worth checking for flights.
+What is the best way to get around Fort Lauderdale?
Boat: The Water Taxi runs hop-on, hop-off routes along the New River and the Intracoastal between downtown, Las Olas, the beach hotels and other stops, doubling as a sightseeing tour.