By Daniel Reyes, Miami Travel Editor · Updated July 2026
Quick answer: Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) is about 28 miles (45 km) north of Miami. The fastest comfortable option is Brightline: a shuttle links FLL to the downtown Fort Lauderdale station, then the train reaches MiamiCentral in about 30 to 40 minutes; the train fare is typically $10 to $15 and the shuttle about $12, so plan on roughly $22 to $27 door to door. The cheapest is Tri-Rail: a free shuttle to the Fort Lauderdale Airport station, then about an hour to Miami Airport station for a few dollars. Uber or Lyft runs roughly $50 to $70 and takes 40 to 50 minutes on I-95. If your plane ticket costs about the same for both airports, fly into MIA instead and skip the transfer entirely.
Plenty of travelers land at Fort Lauderdale to save money on low-cost carriers and then head straight to Miami. The 28 miles between the two are covered by two different trains, ride-shares, shuttles and a busy highway. Here is every realistic option in 2026, with prices, times, and a honest look at when flying into FLL is actually worth it.
At a glance
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightline (+ shuttle) | ~60-75 min door to door | ~$22-27 (train + ~$12 shuttle) | Speed + comfort to downtown |
| Tri-Rail (+ free shuttle) | ~75-90 min | a few dollars; $5 flat weekends | Budget; direct to MIA airport |
| Uber / Lyft | ~40-50 min | ~$50-70 | Door to door, groups, luggage |
| Shared shuttle van | ~60-90 min | ~$25-30 per person | Solo travelers with time |
| Rental car | ~35-60 min | from ~$40/day + tolls/parking | Onward Florida road trips |
Brightline: the fast train
Brightline is the modern intercity train running between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Its Fort Lauderdale station is downtown, not at the airport, but Brightline runs an airport connector shuttle between FLL and the station. From there the train glides to MiamiCentral in downtown Miami in about 30 to 40 minutes, with airline-style seats and luggage racks. Train fares are dynamic and typically start around $10 to $15 off-peak, and the FLL Airport Connector shuttle costs about $12 per person, so budget roughly $22 to $27 door to door. From MiamiCentral, the free Metromover loops around downtown and Brickell, and Metrorail connects onward.
Tri-Rail: the budget train, straight to MIA
Tri-Rail is the local commuter line, and it has two aces. First, the shuttle between the FLL terminals and the Fort Lauderdale Airport station is free for train passengers. Second, its southern terminus is Miami Airport station at the Miami Intermodal Center, linked to the MIA terminals by the free MIA Mover. The ride takes about an hour and costs only a few dollars one way, with a flat $5 all-day fare on weekends. It is slower and more basic than Brightline, but if you are connecting to a flight at MIA, or watching every dollar, it is the smart pick.
Uber, Lyft and taxis
Ride-shares pick up at marked zones outside the FLL terminals. To downtown Miami or Miami Beach plan on roughly $50 to $70 and 40 to 50 minutes in normal traffic; surge pricing and the I-95 rush hour (roughly 7-9 am and 4-7 pm) can push both numbers up. Metered taxis cost more, usually $75 and up. For two or more people with bags, door-to-door convenience often justifies the price over the trains.
Shared shuttles and rental cars
Shared-ride vans charge about $25 to 30 per person to Miami hotels; they are door-to-door but make multiple stops, so allow up to 90 minutes. A rental car makes sense if Miami is only your first stop: FLL's rental center is next to the terminals, the drive south on I-95 takes 35 to 60 minutes, and you keep the car for the Keys or the Everglades. Factor in Miami hotel parking, which commonly runs $20 to 50 a night.
MIA vs FLL: which airport should you choose?
The honest rule: if fares are close, fly into MIA. You land in the city you are actually visiting, with Metrorail, Tri-Rail, taxis and the MIA Mover on site, and no 28-mile transfer eating into your day. Choose FLL when the ticket is clearly cheaper, which happens often, since FLL hosts many low-cost carriers such as Spirit, Southwest and JetBlue. As a rule of thumb, the savings should cover the transfer cost and the extra 45 to 60 minutes each way. Cruise passengers should also note that PortMiami is closer to MIA; see our guide on getting from the airport to PortMiami.
Which should you choose?
Traveling light to downtown or Brickell, take Brightline. Connecting to a flight at MIA, or on a tight budget, take Tri-Rail. With family, luggage or a beach hotel, order an Uber. Planning to explore Florida beyond Miami, rent a car. And once you have arrived, our guide to things to do in Miami covers the rest.
