Getting from Miami to Fort Lauderdale

[ringwood1]

Can anyone tell me the best way to get from Miami Airport to the Port at Fort Lauderdale. There are four of us (two adults to children). We are landing at 2.30 ish and have booked a hotel for overnight and then sail 7.30 am next morning. Didn't really want to bother hiring a car and trying to get it back before we sail next day. Is there a bus or train connection or would it be best to just get a taxi and any ideas on cost?

[Robert5988]

There are loads of shuttles from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. Cost up to about US$100.

Do a Google for Miami shuttle

[flyrr100]

I-95 North

[ellie]

Have you already booked your hotel Ringwood1? Fort Lauderdale is about 20 miles from Miami, so I would advise getting a hotel there in the first instance. You would need to get a shuttle to this hotel from the airport, but you would be so much nearer in the morning, and many hotels have a free shuttle to the docks. There are a number of hotels near to the docks.

However, if you are sailing at 7.30 AM then you will need to allow some time at the dockside for the various formalities to be gone through, as well as for the drive up from Miami, as roads are busy around the city, and as you near Fort Lauderdale.

Who are you sailing with?

Ellie

[florida4sun]

I woud grab a taxi or shuttle. If you want a nice hotel to stay in then the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 is excellent. Nice hotel with big rooms, try the California Grill which is just behind the hotel, nice short walk through the marina to get to it. Most of the cruise lines use this hotel as for there guests.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ringwood1
Can anyone tell me the best way to get from Miami Airport to the Port at Fort Lauderdale. There are four of us (two adults to children). We are landing at 2.30 ish and have booked a hotel for overnight and then sail 7.30 am next morning. Didn't really want to bother hiring a car and trying to get it back before we sail next day. Is there a bus or train connection or would it be best to just get a taxi and any ideas on cost?


[/quote]

[DaveL]

If you really are leaving at 7:30am this is unusual but the port is very busy and the entrance guards stop every car and bus as part of security. We took over an hour to travel less than a mile. This applies to taxi's and buses as well. I would stay near the port as once your through the first check it will still take at least an hour to get on board.

Are you sure it's not a PM departure as the turnaround time on the ships is about 12 hours.

Regards Dave

[ringwood1]

Thanks for all the advice. We are sailing with Discovery Cruises which I think is more a glorified ferry, we are going to the Bahamas and get there about 5 hours later. The ship then returns later that afternoon to get back to Port Everglades at 10.00 pm.

I have booked hotel for the night at the Holiday Inn Express which I understand has got a shuttle to the port (and they also do breakfast). Has anybody done this trip before? We are staying over in the Bahamas for a few nights before getting the boat back and then driving up to Orlando.

[ellie]

Hi ringwood1

If your hotel is in Miami it probably has a shuttle to the Port of Miami only. You will need to check on this as Fort Lauderdale is over 20 miles away, so would be surprised if a Miami hotel would take you there.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Let me know if you need directions to Orlando - have just returned from there after visiting our villa in Orlando and our daughter in Miami.