Planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale

23 miles N of Miami

Getting to Fort Lauderdale

If you're driving from Miami, it's a straight shot north to Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale. Visitors on their way to or from Orlando should take the Florida Turnpike to exit 53, 54, 58, or 62, depending on the location of your accommodations. The Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is usually easy to negotiate, and just 15 minutes from both of the downtown areas it services. However, the airport is undergoing an expansion not slated for completion until the end of 2026 and that often renders it just as maddening to navigate as any other major metropolitan airport. Some two dozen plus airlines, large and small, serve the airport, with plenty of connections to and from the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

The airport has a car-rental center where at least a dozen rental companies are under one roof—very convenient.

Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL [872-7245]) stations are at the Tri Rail Station,  200 SW 21st Terrace (Broward Blvd. and I-95), Fort Lauderdale (tel. 954/587-6692); and 3001 Hollywood Blvd. (northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and I-95), Hollywood.

The high speed Brightline train, which runs as south as Miami and north as Orlando has a station in downtown Fort Lauderdale at 101 NW 2nd Ave. (tel. 831/539-2901), with airport connector locations at FLL at Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Getting Around Fort Lauderdale

The coolest—literally—way to get around Fort Lauderdale is by Water Taxi, which may not necessarily be the cheapest, but when in Fort Laudy, it’s the most fun.

The Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolley ($1/ride, $3/day pass), is a hop-on bus with seven routes covering the beaches, downtown, and more, with a  free airport connection, and only two routes, the Las Olas and beach route, that charge.

For those looking to put the pedal to the asphalt, the Broward B-Cycle bike share service has 16 stations throughout town. Rentals are $5 per half hour or $25 for a 7-day pass.Visitor Information for Fort Lauderdale

Visiting Fort Lauderdale

Visit Lauderdale, 101 NE 3rd Ave. (tel. 954/765-4466), is an excellent resource for area information.

The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, 330 N. Federal Hwy. (at U.S. 1 and Taylor St.), Hollywood, (tel. 954/923-4000), has the lowdown on all of Hollywood’s events, attractions, restaurants, hotels, and tours. Another good website is VisitHollywoodFL.com.