Getting around Fort Lauderdale

Brightline serves downtown Fort Lauderdale with intercity trains to Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Check current schedules, fares and station transfer options at gobrightline.com.

Tri-Rail is the regional commuter rail service between Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Its Fort Lauderdale station is west of downtown; the Fort Lauderdale Airport station is a separate stop with an airport shuttle connection.

Brightline and Tri-Rail use different stations and ticketing systems. Neither is a direct beachfront rail service. Confirm your arrival station and onward trip at tri-rail.com or gobrightline.com.

Broward County Transit, or BCT, operates local buses across Broward County. Routes, transfer points and service frequency vary; use the official trip planner at broward.org/BCT.

Check the full journey, including walking connections and the last bus home. Do not assume late-evening or weekend service matches weekday frequency.

I-95 is the main north–south interstate connection toward Miami and Palm Beach County. I-595 links the airport and Port Everglades area with western Broward County.

US-1, also called Federal Highway locally, is an important north–south surface route. A1A follows the beach district; it is scenic but not a reliable shortcut during busy periods.

Congestion can build in either direction, especially around interchanges, events and bridge openings. I-95 express lanes have separate tolling and access rules.

Use FL511 for current road conditions and allow extra time for rain, drawbridges and airport or cruise traffic.

FLL is south of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Drive times depend on your destination, terminal and traffic; leave additional time during busy cruise and holiday periods.

Follow the airport's current signs for taxis, rideshare pickup, rental cars and ground transportation. Official airport information is at fll.net.

For rail, check the shuttle connection between FLL and Tri-Rail's Fort Lauderdale Airport station. Brightline's downtown station is not inside the airport.

Paid parking is common downtown, along Las Olas and at the beach. Read the signs for rates, time limits, operating hours and the correct payment method.

Park once when exploring a walkable district, but check garage closing times and any event restrictions.

Do not assume a hotel includes parking or that a residential permit applies to visitors. Confirm rates directly before leaving your vehicle.

Riverwalk, downtown Las Olas and the beachfront promenade are useful walking areas, but downtown and the beach are separate districts.

Plan cycling routes around traffic, bridge crossings, heat and sudden thunderstorms. Check each transit operator's bicycle rules before combining a bike and rail trip.

Water Taxi serves selected stops on the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. Check watertaxi.com for current routes, tickets and the last departure; it is not an airport or cruise-terminal shuttle.

Port Everglades is a working seaport with controlled access, not a land-border crossing. Confirm your cruise terminal and the correct entrance before departing.

Follow your cruise line's check-in window and document requirements. Allow time for port security, baggage handling and terminal queues.

Official port maps, parking and access information are at porteverglades.net. Flight information is at fll.net, and TSA travel information is at tsa.gov/mobile.