Ft Lauderdale's Airport: A Travel Gateway To South Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is served by the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL). It is a major public airport located in Broward County, roughly 3 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami. The airport is an alternative to Miami International Airport, which is located 30 miles away.

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport

The airport has a rich history, initially established by World War I aviator Merle Fogg in 1929 as Merle Fogg Field. During World War II, it was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, serving as a training base for naval aviators. In 1946, it transitioned to county control and became Broward County International Airport.

The airport provides convenient ground transportation options, including shuttle services from nearby train stations and easy access to major roads such as Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1. It also offers airport parking and a consolidated rental car facility.

Airport history and former names

Fort Lauderdale does have an airport, known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (IATA: FLL, ICAO: KFLL, FAA LID: FLL). The airport is located in Broward County, Florida, roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami.

The airport was established by World War I aviator Merle Fogg, who purchased the land the airport sits on—a former nine-hole golf course destroyed by the 1926 Miami hurricane—for $1,200 in 1928. The airport officially opened on May 1, 1929, as Merle Fogg Field, with two unpaved runways.

At the start of World War II, the airport was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. The runways were paved, and a control tower was built. The base was initially used for refitting airliners for military service before they were ferried across the Atlantic. NAS Fort Lauderdale later became a primary training base for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crewmen flying the Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. NAS Fort Lauderdale was also the home base for Flight 19, the five TBM Avengers that disappeared in December 1945, contributing to the Bermuda Triangle's infamy.

NAS Fort Lauderdale closed on October 1, 1946, and was transferred to county control, becoming Broward County International Airport. Commercial flights to Nassau began in June 1953, and domestic flights to New York and Washington started in 1958–1959. In 1959, the airport opened its first permanent terminal building and assumed its current name.

In the 1990s, low-cost airline traffic grew, with Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue airlines all establishing bases at the airport. The airport has continued to expand and now offers over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations.

Airport facilities

Fort Lauderdale does have an airport, the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The airport offers a range of facilities and services for passengers travelling through.

Terminals

The airport has five main terminal buildings (1, 2, 3, 4 and the Commuter Terminal) and concourse areas. Terminal 1, previously known as the Yellow Terminal, has Concourses A, B, and C, and 23 gates. Terminal 2, previously the Red Terminal, has Concourse D and 9 gates. Terminal 3, previously the Purple Terminal, has Concourses E and F with 20 gates. Terminal 4, previously the Green Terminal, has Concourse G with 14 gates. Terminal 5 is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Information Desks

Information desks can be found in each of the terminal buildings, on both the lower and upper floors. Staff are available to answer any airport or airline-related questions.

Shopping

Each terminal has a range of shopping facilities, located in both pre-security and post-security areas. Newsagents include A1A Travel Mart, CNBC News, the Coastal kiosk, Hudson New, and New River News. For books, there is Hudson Booksellers. For souvenirs and gifts, there are shops like Affordable Luxuries, Kids Works, Life is Good, and the Discovery Channel store. Broward Duty-Free shops can be found in Terminals 1 to 3, offering a range of products, including liquor and clothing.

Food and Beverage

There are over 50 eateries across the airport. Terminals 1 and 3 have the largest concentration of restaurants and coffee shops, including Casa de Fresco, Chef Allen's 2 Go, Chili's To Go, Dunkin' Donuts, Pasha's, Pizza Uno, and Spinaci's Fine Food. Terminal 2 includes the Cruzan Estate Bar and Lounge, La Cucina Pizza, Miami Subs Plus, and Sushi Maki. Terminal 4 offers the Chef Allen Burger Bar and the Sbarro Italian Eatery, as well as the Boat House Dockside Bar.

Currency Exchange, Communications, and Banking

An ATM is located on Level 2 of the Car Rental Center, near the Concourse B crossover. Currency exchange services are available at Travelex branches in Terminals 2 and 4, offering competitive rates and commissions.

Business and Conference

Business facilities include a large meeting room with catering options. Each terminal has dedicated Business Service Centers, open daily from 07:30 to 17:00, with charging stations for laptops. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 also have pay internet kiosks.

Disabled Facilities

The airport provides wheelchair access from roads and the garage complex, adapted restrooms, TTY telephones for those with hearing and speech impairments, relief areas for service dogs, and six private family rooms. There is also ADA parking access and designated disabled parking spaces.

Transport to and from the airport

Fort Lauderdale does have an airport: the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is located in Broward County, roughly 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale. The airport is easily accessible by road, with U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road 818, Interstate 95, and Interstate 595 all bordering the airport.

By Car

The airport offers parking, and there is a consolidated rental car facility with direct access from Terminal 1, and shuttle bus services from the other terminals. Ride-sharing companies also operate from the airport, with designated pick-up and drop-off points between Terminals 1 & 2 and Terminals 3 & 4.

By Bus

Broward County Transit bus Route 1 serves the airport, offering connections to the Broward Central Terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura Mall in Miami-Dade County.

By Train

The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport at Dania Beach train station is served by Tri-Rail commuter trains. The station provides a shuttle bus service to three locations at the airport, on the lower level: the west end of Terminal 1, between Terminals 2 & 3, and between Terminals 3 & 4. Brightline trains also serve the airport via Fort Lauderdale station, with a shuttle bus service to the same locations as Tri-Rail.

By Shuttle

Several companies offer shuttle services to and from the airport, including SuperShuttle Express and Fort Lauderdale Airport Shuttle. These services allow you to book in advance and offer transportation to and from the airport terminals. Fort Lauderdale Airport Shuttle also provides transport to and from other locations in South Florida, including Miami, Port Everglades, hotels, and private residences.

Airport parking

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) does offer parking. The airport is located in Broward County, Florida, about 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Onsite Parking

Onsite parking at FLL includes short-term, long-term, and curbside valet parking. For short-term parking, you can park at the Hibiscus Garage (Level 2) or Palm Garage (Level 1). The hourly rate is $3 per hour, with a maximum daily rate of $36. Long-term parking is available in the Hibiscus Garage (Levels 3-7), Palm Garage (Levels 2-4), and Cypress Garage (Levels 7-9), and costs $15 per day. Curbside valet parking is available at the west end of Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 for $25 per day.

Offsite Parking

Offsite parking is also available near the airport and is typically cheaper than onsite parking. Some popular offsite parking options include the Best Western Plus Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Airport & Cruise Port Parking lot ($14.99/day) and the Days Inn by Wyndham FLL Airport Parking lot ($9.99/day). Additionally, offsite economy parking starts at $4.95 per day.

Free Parking

Fort Lauderdale Airport also offers a free Cell Phone Waiting Area for those dropping off or picking up passengers. This parking area is free for up to 20 minutes. Disabled American Veterans with "DAV" or "DV" license plates on their vehicles are also exempt from parking fees.

Additional Information

The airport recommends arriving at least one hour before domestic flights and two hours before international flights.

Frequently asked questions