Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to PortMiami
Getting from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to PortMiami — 35-55 min, 28 miles
Transfer Options
Hotel Shuttle Services
Many Miami hotels offer cruise shuttle packages, especially those near the airport. Quality and timing vary widely.
Verify shuttle times before booking — some only run once in the morning. The best packages include both ways (to port and back). Hilton Downtown, DoubleTree Airport, and Hampton Inn Airport South have reliable packages.
Uber/Lyft from Anywhere
Rideshare is readily available throughout Miami. The port has designated pickup/drop-off areas.
On busy embarkation days (Saturdays especially), prices can surge. Check prices early in the morning when rates are lower. The port drop-off area is well-organized — drivers know where to go.
Taxi
Traditional taxis are available at airports and can be hailed downtown. Flat rates to the port are common.
Taxis can be a good deal when Uber is surging. Flat rates mean no surprises. Ask the driver to confirm the rate before getting in.
From Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)
FLL is about 28 miles north of PortMiami — plan on 35-55 min by car straight down I-95, and more during rush hour. Flights into FLL often cost less than MIA, but weigh the savings against the longer transfer.
I-95 traffic can be brutal during rush hour. If your flight arrives during peak times (7-9 AM or 4-7 PM), add extra buffer. Landing the day before and staying near FLL — or in downtown Miami — turns a stressful sail-day transfer into an easy morning ride.
Brightline Train from Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Brightline's Fort Lauderdale station is downtown, not at the airport — a dedicated Brightline shuttle covers the airport-to-station leg. The train reaches MiamiCentral in under 40 minutes, and MiamiCentral is less than a 10-minute drive from PortMiami.
The airport shuttle runs 8 AM-7 PM at roughly 30-minute intervals, first-come first-served — no advance reservations, so a very early boarding window means rideshare instead. Premium fares include a complimentary Uber within five miles of the station, which covers the MiamiCentral-to-port leg.
Driving & Port Parking
PortMiami has parking garages at each terminal. The port is on an island — take the Port Boulevard tunnel from I-395 (toll-free) or the MacArthur Causeway from South Beach. Royal Caribbean Terminal A uses Garage A, which requires an online reservation and whose rate the port does not publish. Carnival Terminal F uses Garage F ($10/day short-term, $25/day for the cruise duration). Norwegian's Garage B is $35/day for cruise-length parking. Surface Lot E, the open-air option and the only one without a height limit, is $25/day.
Royal Caribbean (Terminal A) requires advance parking reservation through their website — you can't just show up. Other terminals accept drive-up parking but it's first-come, first-served. Debit cards NOT accepted — bring a credit card or cash. Follow signs to your specific terminal number; the port is large and garages are not interchangeable.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Shuttle Services | Usually included in park & cruise packages ($150-250 total for night + parking + shuttle) | Cruisers who want to bundle hotel + parking + transport |
| Uber/Lyft from Anywhere | Varies by distance: Downtown: $10-15, Airport: $15-25, South Beach: $15-20, Fort Lauderdale: $35-55 | Flexibility and door-to-door service |
| Taxi | MIA to port: ~$30 flat rate. Downtown to port: ~$15-20. | Cruisers who prefer fixed pricing over surge-based rideshare |
| From Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) | Uber/Lyft: $35-55 depending on traffic. Shared shuttle services: ~$20-30 per person. | Cruisers who found better flight deals to FLL |
| Brightline Train from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | SMART fares $10-49 one-way. Airport shuttle: $12/person with a same-day train ticket. Rideshare from MiamiCentral to the port: ~$10-15. | Cruisers who'd rather ride the rails than sit on I-95 |
| Driving & Port Parking | $25-35/day for cruise-length garage parking, depending on terminal | Cruisers driving from Florida or nearby states |
Local Tip
The 7-9 AM peak on I-95 southbound overlaps exactly with cruise check-in, so leave FLL before 7 or after 9:30 when you can. Landing the day before removes the gamble entirely — a hotel near FLL or in downtown Miami puts you an easy morning ride from the port either way. Taking Brightline? Its first airport shuttle leaves at 8 AM, so a very early boarding window means rideshare to the downtown Fort Lauderdale station or skipping the train altogether. Arriving from abroad, budget 60-90 minutes for immigration and customs before the drive south even starts.
Once you arrive, find your terminal:
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