Getting to Miami from Fort Lauderdale

Ft Lauderdale, Miami’s neighbor to the north, is approximately 30 miles from Downtown Miami. If you’re flying in or out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) for your stay in Miami or want to explore more of the area while you’re here, there are a handful of transportation options to get you from Fort Lauderdale to Greater Miami & Miami Beach, ranging from public transportation to rental cars, rideshares and more.

Take Tri-Rail from Airport-To-Airport

Tri-Rail is a commuter train service that runs from Palm Beach County to Miami International Airport (MIA) with multiple stops along the way, including one near the Fort Lauderdale airport. All you have to do is catch the complimentary shuttle at the ground transportation level of FLL to the Tri-Rail station.

The train makes six stops before reaching the MIA terminal: Sheridan Street, Hollywood, Golden Glades, Opa-locka, Metrorail Transfer and Hialeah Market. It generally takes about 45 minutes to reach the final stop at MIA, where you can then transfer to your final destination in Miami via Uber, Lyft, rental car, taxi or public transportation. If you’re heading to Miami Beach from MIA, the Airport Flyer offers express bus service approximately every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. You’ll travel aboard a bus equipped with luggage racks and comfortable seating. It makes stops in Miami Beach from 41st Street to South Pointe Drive, with travel time ranging from about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your stop.

Traveler Tip: Multiple apps for your mobile device will help you navigate public transportation in Miami, including the Tri-Rail Train Tracker, Go Miami-Dade Transit, the City of Miami Trolley app (available for iPhone and Android) and the Miami Beach Transit app.

Get Here Super-Fast on Brightline

Brightline revolutionized the way people travel between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach as well as further north to Orlando. The private high-speed rail service cuts down on travel time and gets you where you’re going quickly and comfortably.

A 38-minute train ride connects the downtown urban cores of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with a stop in Aventura along the way. Brightline also offers shuttles that connect its stations to the airports. Fort Lauderdale’s Brightline station is located at 101 NW Second Ave. Miami’s Brightline station is located at 600 NW First Ave. in MiamiCentral Station, a six-block development in Downtown Miami that includes office and residential towers as well as a food court marketplace. You’ll also find easy connections to Miami’s Metrorail and Metromover public transportation.

Onsite parking is available at the Fort Lauderdale and Miami Brightline stations, and it’s easy to access the rest of each area by Lyft, Uber, taxi or public transportation.

Drive The Express Way or the Scenic Way … It’s Your Choice

If you’re driving, it’s simple to get to Miami from Fort Lauderdale. Most major car rental companies are available at FLL and MIA as well as various locations throughout both areas. Plan for at least an hour drive between Fort Lauderdale and Downtown Miami. The fastest and easiest route from Fort Lauderdale to Downtown Miami is a straight shot down I-95. Alternatively, the Florida Turnpike runs parallel to I-95 a few miles west of the airport to Miami Gardens before connecting back to I-95.

For a scenic yet slightly longer drive, you can also connect to A1A from FLL as far north as Dania Beach. This coastal route runs along the beaches of Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour and Miami Beach for direct access to the resorts and attractions along the oceanfront.

A good rule of thumb is to consult your favorite GPS-based app.

Let a Rideshare or Taxi Take You Here

Like any other major metropolitan area, taxis and rideshares are widely available throughout Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and they’ll gladly take you to and from both areas.

Arrive in Comfort With A Shuttle or Limo

There are also a number of shared airport shuttles and private executive car services to transport you from FLL to MIA and the destination of your choice in Greater Miami & Miami Beach. These services can take the guesswork out of transportation and airport connections. They include SuperShuttle, GO Airport Shuttle, South Florida Shuttles, Transfeero and Blacklane.

Now that you've arrived, getting around Miami is easy.