Getting from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale sits about 30 miles (48 km) north of Miami International Airport (MIA), and you can make the trip easily without a car. The cheapest and most direct option from the airport is the Tri-Rail commuter train; Brightline is faster and more comfortable but leaves from downtown Miami; and a rental car, taxi or rideshare gives you door-to-door convenience. Whether you are heading to Fort Lauderdale beach, connecting to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), or boarding a ship at Port Everglades, here is how each option works. Prices are in US dollars and current for 2026.
At a glance: MIA to Fort Lauderdale
| Option | Time | Cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-Rail | 50 to 70 min | $3.75 to $5.00 | Cheapest, direct from the airport |
| Brightline | about 33 min on the train | from about $10 | Fastest, most comfortable |
| Rental car | 40 to 50 min | from about $40/day | Flexibility, cruise port, groups |
| Taxi or rideshare | about 40 min | $60 to $100 | Door-to-door, no transfers |
| Intercity bus | 45 to 60 min | from about $12 | Lowest fare if booked ahead |
By train: Tri-Rail, the airport option
For travellers without a car, Tri-Rail is the cheapest and most direct way out of the airport. From any terminal, head to Level 3 and follow the signs for the free MIA Mover, which reaches the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) in about four minutes. The Tri-Rail station is right there, no separate ticket needed for the Mover.
Tri-Rail fares are set by zone. The station beside Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is Zone 2, a weekday fare of $3.75 one way, and a free shuttle links that station to the FLL terminals. Downtown Fort Lauderdale station is Zone 3 at $5.00 one way. Allow roughly 50 to 70 minutes for the ride itself. Check current times and fares on the official Tri-Rail site. If you only need the city centre on the Miami side, compare our MIA to downtown Miami guide.
By train: Brightline, the fast option
Brightline runs a sleek higher-speed service that covers Miami to Fort Lauderdale in about 33 minutes, with around 18 departures a day and one-way fares from about $10 off-peak (higher at peak times). The catch is that Brightline leaves from MiamiCentral in downtown Miami, not from the airport. From MIA, take the MIA Mover to the MIC, ride the Metrorail a few stops to Government Center, and MiamiCentral is a short walk away. Because of that connection, Brightline is the quickest and most comfortable train but not necessarily faster door-to-door than Tri-Rail. Book ahead for the lowest fares on the official Brightline site.
By car or rental
Driving is straightforward: it is about 30 miles north on I-95 or Florida's Turnpike, roughly 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Plenty of rental agencies operate at MIA, so picking up a car on arrival is easy. This is the most flexible choice if you are continuing to Port Everglades for a cruise, travelling as a group, or moving on beyond Fort Lauderdale. Need a bed near the airport first, or in the city? See our roundup of hotels near MIA.
By taxi or rideshare
A metered taxi or an Uber or Lyft will take you door-to-door in about 40 minutes when the roads are clear. Rideshares typically run around $60 to $90; a metered taxi is distance-based and can come closer to $100, more at busy times. It is the simplest option with luggage and no transfers, though it is the priciest way to cover a trip this long. Rides pick up on the Arrivals level; for shorter hops into Miami itself, our MIA transfers overview lays out the choices.
By intercity bus
Coach operators such as Greyhound, FlixBus and Red Coach link Miami and Fort Lauderdale from around $12 when booked in advance. Fares are the lowest of any option, but the stations are not at the airport, so you first need to reach them by Metrorail or rideshare, which eats into the saving. It suits budget travellers who plan ahead and are not in a hurry.
Which option should you choose?
If you have no car and want to spend the least, take Tri-Rail straight from the airport: $3.75 to the FLL airport station or $5.00 to downtown Fort Lauderdale. If you would rather travel fast and in comfort and do not mind starting downtown, Brightline is the pick. And if you are heading to a cruise at Port Everglades, travelling with a group, or want full flexibility, a rental car or a taxi makes more sense. New to the airport? Our Miami Airport guide covers terminals, the MIA Mover and getting around, and the MIA train and rail guide has more on Tri-Rail and Metrorail.
Fares, times and schedules are current for 2026 but change, so confirm the latest before you travel via Tri-Rail, Brightline and Miami-Dade Transit.
