Brightline Station, Fort Lauderdale Transportation

Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station; (c) Soul Of America

Fort Lauderdale Transportation

Airport

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major airport hub. JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, and American dominate their many flights from North America and the Caribbean. The large passenger concourse includes a wide range of restaurants, lounges, gift shops, WiFi, business services, and passenger amenities, yet is easy to navigate. It is located only 7 minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 3 minutes from Port Everglades.

Uber/Lyft pickup service is roadside between Terminal 3 and 4. For convenience, many savvy travelers prefer to transfer to FLL Airport for Caribbean vacations and pre-cruise activities in Fort Lauderdale. FLL TERMINAL MAP.

Car Rentals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Hertz are readily available across from Terminal 1. Taxi stands are located at each airport baggage claim and major hotels (Yellow Cab/Checker, 954-565-5400). Super Shuttle fare within Broward and Dade Counties costs $12 to $100, but $21-23 should get you from FLL Airport to downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Train Station

Amtrak Fort Lauderdale Station is located at 200 SW 21st Terrace. The station is shared with a Tri-Rail commuter trains and serves a 2-times daily, Amtrak Silver Meteor route: DC-Richmond-Raleigh-Jacksonville-Orlando-Fort Lauderdale-Miami

Brightline is a new privately operated Intercity Passenger Rail line between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The architecturally attractive Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station at 101 NW 2nd Avenue features patron amenities in its downtown location. Brightline trains run hourly and feature comfortable seating, large windows, overhead storage, WiFi, USB outlets, large tray tables, bike racks, ADA accessibility, and clean restrooms. Miami is half an hour away from Fort Lauderdale.

The only downside is Brightline trains are limited to 80 mph between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach due to so many level railroad crossings. Fortunately, Brightline is being expanded with fewer roadway crossings from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport as a 110-125 mph route to open by late 2022. That will enable a Fort Lauderdale-Orlando trip in a shorter travel time than both flying and driving. Though Brightline’s route is a federally-designated U.S. High-Speed Rail Corridor, there is no indication that Brightline will allow Amtrak trains into MiamiCentral Station.

Brightline stations at Aventura, Boca Raton, and PortMiami will open in 2023 as well. Later this decade, Brightline plans a 125 mph expansion from Orlando International Airport to Disney World and Tampa.

For context about High Speed Rail development in Florida and beyond, see this article about Interstate High Speed Rail.

Rapid Transit

Tri-Rail, a 67-mile, 15-station commuter rail line through Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Tri-Rail features WiFi and double-decker cars. Aside from downtown Fort Lauderdale, Brightline stops at Palm Beach Airport Station, FLL Airport Station, then to either Miami Airport Station or MiamiCentral Station in downtown Miami. Tri-Rail’s FLL Airport Station is shared with Amtrak, rapid buses, shuttles, and taxis.

Sun Trolley is a free on most routes and $3/day on two routes trolley service. Every 30 minutes from morning to 6 pm, the trolley runs throughout downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, and Fort Lauderdale Beach. 

Cruiseport

Port Everglades Cruise Center is a shared between Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach. It’s the third busiest cruise port in the world. Cruise lines depart year-round to the Bahamas, Key West, Western Caribbean, and the Eastern Caribbean. More passengers are considering this award-winning cruise port, which now handles over 3 million annual passengers via these major cruise lines:

Royal Caribbean Celebrity International. Offers cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean; enjoy 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11-night routes.

Carnival Cruise Lines: One of the world’s most popular cruise lines with its family of “Fun Ships” operating voyages to the Bahamas, Eastern, and the Western Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruises throughout the Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean.

Club Nautico Boat Rentals
Rent a 20-33 foot powerboat for diving, snorkeling, cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, or fishing in the ocean; Better yet rent a 24-foot boat for a party of nine.
ADDRESS: Pier 66 Marina
PHONE: 954-523-0033
WEBSITE: http://www.fortlauderdaleboatrentals.com

Water Bus
This popular past time along Fort Lauderdale’s famed Intracoastal waterway for great sightseeing, dining at the many waterfront restaurants or shopping along Las Olas Blvd. One-way tickets for the popular service costs $5 for all day pass; the water cabs will go anywhere within seven miles of Intracoastal Waterway, between Port Everglades and Commercial Boulevard. Guided tours and private charters of the Historic New River are also available
ADDRESS: 651 Seabreeze Blvd
PHONE: 954-467-6677
WEBSITE: http://www.watertaxi.com/ftlaud

Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruises
Three-hour narrated sightseeing cruises 10 am and 2 pm. Sightseeing cruise with a variety show and all-you-can-eat barbecue and seafood dinner. Departs nightly at 7p; $27, children under 10 $12; Adults $12.50, under 10 $8.25; All-day cruise to Miami Bayside on Wed and Sat for $15.50
ADDRESS: A1A Highway in Bahia Mar Yacht Center
PHONE: 954-462-5596
WEBSITE: http://www.junglequeen.com

Billie Swamp Safari
Learn about the land, history, and culture of the Seminole Indians. Skim over glittering waterscapes in an airboat, experience a swamp buggy eco-tour, paddle a canoe, walk the Swamp Trail and come face-to-face with the resident alligators
ADDRESS: 30000 Gator Tail Trail, Clewiston, FL
PHONE: 863-983-6101
WEBSITE: http://www.billieswamp.com

Everglades Day Safari
A trained guide discusses the past, present, and future of this unique natural resource. Includes a jungle cruise, nature walk, tram ride, and airboat ride. You will see alligators, flocking birds, feral pigs, large turtles, and many other reptiles. Lunch is served. Safaris depart Fort Lauderdale each morning at 7:45a and return at 5:30p; Adults $100, Seniors $90, Children under age 12 $80.
PHONE: 239-472-1559
WEBSITE: http://www.ecosafari.com

Freeways & Tollways

Fort Lauderdale Freeway & Tollway Network is congested during commute hours. Otherwise, the freeways and tollways are enjoyable to ride. If plan to rent a car, keep eight dollar bills handy for tolls before leaving the airport. Several elevated highways give a view of the Everglades to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. 

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