Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) Flights & Information

Since the early 2000s, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has undergone several expansions, evolving into a prominent hub in South Florida. It’s now a popular, often more affordable, alternative to Miami International Airport (MIA). Today, FLL serves over 135 domestic and international destinations and is expected to surpass its 2023 record of over 35 million passengers.

Tips to help you navigate FLL

The airport features four terminals arranged in a U-shape around a central parking area. Departures are located on the upper level, while arrivals and baggage claim are on the lower level in each terminal. The terminals are color-coded for convenience: Terminal 1 is yellow, Terminal 2 is red, Terminal 3 is purple, and Terminal 4 is green. This color-coding is particularly useful for navigating the maze-like parking garage, with colored footpath signs guiding you to the respective terminals.

Terminals 3 and 4 are interconnected, while Terminals 1 and 2 are housed in separate buildings. Once past security, movement between terminals is restricted to Terminals 3 and 4. This generally poses no issue, as airlines and alliances typically schedule connecting flights within the same terminal. However, in certain instances, particularly following specific international flights, terminal transfers may be necessary. In such cases, you will need to retrieve your baggage, undergo security screening once more, and then proceed to your connecting flight.

Despite its growth over the years, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport remains less daunting than Miami International Airport in terms of size and crowds. Although its food and beverage options may not rival those of a major city airport, it features local favorites such as Zona Fresca and Pollo Tropical. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, providing reliable service for emails and web browsing.

Lastly, despite Florida’s sunny climate, it’s advisable to bring a jacket to FLL. The airport is notorious for its brisk air conditioning, which is set to counteract the outdoor heat.

The best way to get to and from the airport to Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Airport is conveniently close to major destinations: just 10 minutes (3 miles) to Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, 15 minutes (5 miles) to Downtown’s Las Olas Blvd., and under 20 minutes (6.5 miles) to Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Rideshare is the best way to get around. There are two pickup zones in the arrivals area—one between Terminals 1 & 2, and the other between Terminals 3 & 4. Be sure to select the right one when ordering your ride.

With just two pickup areas at this busy airport, things can get chaotic. I usually order my Uber or Lyft about ten minutes before reaching the rideshare area to avoid waiting in the crowd. This strategy typically helps ensure a smooth and quick exit.

However, sometimes Uber drivers try to scam by staying in the cell phone lot for over ten minutes, hoping you’ll cancel so they can collect a cancellation fee. If this happens, don’t worry—taxis are readily available throughout the airport. They usually cost just a few dollars more than Uber for short trips to Port Everglades, Downtown, or the beach. If you don’t cancel, the Uber driver will eventually give up and cancel the ride themselves.

Connecting Fort Lauderdale to other major destinations

Several of Florida’s major cities are now interconnected by rail, following Brightline’s launch of high-speed service from Miami to Orlando in 2023. The Brightline currently stops at Downtown Miami, Aventura, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Downtown West Palm Beach, and Orlando International Airport (MCO), with 30 trains operating daily.

Brightline’s Fort Lauderdale station is a mere 20-minute (6-mile) drive from FLL, making it a convenient gateway to other Florida metropolises. The journey from Brightline Fort Lauderdale to Downtown Miami takes approximately 38 minutes, while travel to West Palm Beach ranges from 36 to 41 minutes.

Navigating Security lines at Fort Lauderdale

All four terminals have designated TSA Precheck lanes. Given how busy FLL can get, especially during peak season (December to April) and with major cruise ship departures, I’d highly recommend enrolling in this trusted traveler program, which is free with several credit cards.

In the event the Precheck lines are also long, use the opportunity to exercise your CLEAR Plus Membership, if you have one. CLEAR uses biometric security kiosks to verify your identity quickly. CLEAR kiosks are found in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 (at the Gate F entrance). Several top-tier credit cards also offer this program complimentary for their cardholders.

Alternative airports that you would recommend

Miami International Airport is 30 miles southwest of FLL. If you are weighing your options between MIA and FLL based on ticket price, it’s wise to account for traffic and rideshare fares. Traffic times can vary wildly. I’ve gone between the two cities in thirty minutes, but I’ve also suffered through traffic for 90 minutes on multiple occasions.

Next, with surge pricing in effect, a rideshare from Miami airport to Port Everglades or Fort Lauderdale Beach can be really pricey, which would likely negate any price savings of flying into an alternate airport.

Parking at FLL

Parking at FLL is reasonably priced, with low hourly and daily rates, especially for long-term parking. The airport features three parking garages—Hibiscus, Palm, and Cypress—centrally located and a short walk from any terminal via color-coded walkways. The lower levels of Hibiscus and Palm garages are designated for short-term parking, while the upper levels, along with all three levels of the Cypress Garage, are reserved for long-term parking. In total, there are 11,000 parking spaces on-site.

For a smooth parking experience, consider downloading the FLL Airport App. It’s a valuable tool that includes an automated parking guidance system and space finder. The app provides real-time information on available spaces, garage locations, and levels. To use it, open the app, navigate to Airport Parking -> Parking Options -> Public Parking, and select either Short Term Parking or Long Term Parking to locate available spaces.

Airport lounges at FLL

FLL features three airport lounges: one in Terminal 1, another in Terminal 2, and a third in Terminal 3. The lounge in Terminal 3 is also accessible to passengers departing from Terminal 4.

Delta Sky Club

Opened in 2021, the Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2 maintains a fresh and modern ambiance with a spacious design and commendable food options. Unlike many Delta Sky Clubs across the country, which are often plagued by overcrowding and long waits, this club has consistently delivered a wait-free experience for me.

Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Located in Terminal 3 between Concourses E and F, the Escape Lounge at FLL debuted in October 2022. A snazzy counter bar anchors the well-lit, contemporary space, rife with design-driven seating nooks. Entry is complimentary for AmEx Platinum cardholders and two guests. For non-cardholders, access can be purchased.

United Club

The only lounge option in Terminal 1 is a dire United Club. It lacks windows and personality, paling in comparison to the newer Delta and Escape lounges. However, since Terminal 1 is not connected airside to the other terminals, it’s the only option for those flying out of Terminal 1 . If you don’t have a United Club Membership, don’t waste your money on a pricey, one-time pass to this lounge (which can be purchased on the United app).

Car rental recommendations

FLL’s Rental Car Center is on-site across from Terminal 1 and houses a dozen major companies like Alamo, Avis, Hertz, and Sixt. Ten more companies operate offsite and can be reached by a shuttle from Zone G of the Center. I find the offsite lots time-consuming and frustrating, so I always choose a company directly at the Center.

Inside the multi-story Rental Car Center, twelve companies have their cars in the nearby parking garage. Signs clearly indicate which floor to go to for each company. Since the lines can be long, I recommend joining the loyalty program of your rental car company to speed up the process.

For example, I usually rent with Avis, one of the companies found directly at the Rental Car Center. To make life simpler, I have an account with their free loyalty program, Avis Preferred. As a member, my credit card and driver’s license are on file, so I can skip the counter when renting. Once I land, I open the Avis app, and it tells me where to find my rental car.

If you’re flying in or out of Terminal 1, you can reach the Rental Car Center via the Concourse B pedestrian bridge on level 2 (so you don’t need to go outside!). Passengers at Terminals 2, 3, or 4 must take a free shuttle bus to the Center from outside the arrivals area. Buses run every ten minutes. Alternatively, if you have minimal luggage, you can walk outdoors between terminals until you reach Terminal 1, enter the departures area (you won’t need to pass security), follow the signs, and then cross over through Terminal 1’s pedestrian bridge.