The Comprehensive Fort Lauderdale Airport Guide

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, famous as FLL Airport, is a major airport serving the Miami Metropolitan area. The airport is located around 26 miles away from Miami and three miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale. With an average yearly passenger traffic of around 35 million, Fort Lauderdale Airport ranks among the busiest airports in the country.

FLL Airport offers more than 700 daily flights to around 135 international and domestic destinations and is a hub for Silver Airways and an operating base for Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air. FLL covers an area of around 1,380 acres and features two runways. Know more about the airport via our Fort Lauderdale Airport guide.

Fort Lauderdale Airport History

Early days (1926-1959)

In 1928, World War I aviator Merle Fogg bought an abandoned nine-hole golf course for $1,200, which was destroyed in the Miami hurricane that happened in 1926.

• The airport formally opened as Merge Fogg Field on May 1, 1929.
• When World War II began, the United States Navy commissioned the airport and later renamed it Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. They built a control tower and paved the runways.
• The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale was later transformed into a key training base for Naval Aviators.
• It was also the home base for Flight 19, which vanished in the Bermuda Triangle in December 1945.
• The Naval Air Station was closed in October 1946, and its control was transferred to the county, making it the Broward County International Airport.
• Commercial flight services began in June 1953. Domestic flight services started in 1958-59.
• The first permanent terminal building was opened in 1959.

Later stages (1960-1999)

In 1966, there were around 48 airline operations daily, including three nonstop flights to JFK Airport. In five years, the airport added nonstop flights to Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Baltimore, Buffalo, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

• By 1974, carriers like Delta, National Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, Northwest Orient Airlines, and Braniff International Airways were serving the airport. Eastern and Delta had the most flights from FLL.
• By 1979, Western Airlines, Trans World Airlines, Air Florida, Florida Airlines, Bahamasair, Mackey International Airlines, and Republic Airlines were serving the airport.
• The traffic for low-cost airlines surged in the 1990s as Southwest Airlines opened its base in 1996, Spirit Airlines in 1999, and JetBlue in 2000.
• In 2002, FLL became a hub for Spirit Airlines. The airport became a focus city for JetBlue in 2003.
• However, low-cost competition led to many major airlines cutting down their services fully from FLL in 2008.

After 2000

South African Airways launched a Beoing 747 service from Cape Town to Atlanta via Fort Lauderdale in January 2000. In 2005, the airport was affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma.

• The airport started charging a fee to all passengers in February 2007. This included private aircraft, making the airport one of the very few to charge fees to private pilots.
• Zoom Airlines started a service to Gatwick Airport (London) via Bermuda in May 2008. However, the airline was shut down after three months.
• Condor started a seasonal flight to Frankfurt in May 2010.
• Emirates started a service to Dubai via a Boeing 777-200LR in December 2016. However, this service ended in 2020.
• The airport underwent major renovation and expansion works that included new gates, parking lots, shops, and stores.
• In June 2002, Norse Atlantic Airways started a direct flight to Oslo. However, they relocated to MIA in September 2023 to lure more passengers and cargo.
• Later, EL AL launched a seasonal flight to Tel Aviv during the Jewish High Holidays.

Where Is Fort Lauderdale Airport?

FLL Airport is located at 100 Terminal Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

Fort Lauderdale Airport Map

The airport has four terminals.

• Terminal 1
• Terminal 2
• Terminal 3
• Terminal 4

Fort Lauderdale Airport Parking & Transportation

There are short-term and long-term parking garages at FLL Airport. You can find long-term parking at the Palm Garage (levels 2-4), Hibiscus Garage (levels 3 – 7), and Cypress Garage (levels 6-9). The hourly parking spots are at the first level of Palm Garage and the second level of Hibiscus Garage. Also, FLL Airport parking has a Curbside Valet and an Overflow Lot.

However, if you’re looking for the cheapest FLL Airport parking rates, it is best that you book parking at the offsite lots nearby. You can always get guaranteed parking at the lowest rate via GlobalAirportParking.com.

How to Get to Fort Lauderdale Airport

Driving

If you’re driving to the airport, follow these directions.

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From Fort Lauderdale

• Take US-1 southwards to E. Broward Boulevard and keep left to continue driving on US-1.
• Take the second exit from the right lane to continue on US-1. Use the right two lanes to use the exit to FLL Airport.

If you are going from Miami

• Take I-95 northwards and keep left at the fork to keep driving on I-95 Express, following the signages for Express Lanes.
• Then, keep left to remain on I-95 Express and use the right two lanes to drive into exit 24 to FLL Airport.
• Merge on I-595 East and take the right two lanes to use exit 12A for US-1 to FLL.

From West Palm Beach

• Drive on I-95 South and use the right three lanes to use exit 26 towards FLL Airport.
• Merge on I-595 East and use the right two lanes to take exit 12A for US-1 to the airport.

Public Transit

• Broward County Transit (BCT): Route 1 of the BCT buses offers service to and from the FLL Airport. They have daily schedules, and you can locate the bus stop at Stop G, Rental Car Center.
• Tri-Rail: This service serves Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County. Free shuttle buses ply from the airport terminals to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Station at Dania Beach. The station is around a few miles from FLL, and there is a brief ride on the shuttle bus.

Car Service and Rideshares

• Taxi: All four terminals have exclusive Taxi Cab Dispatch Locations. The fares are controlled by Broward County law. For instance, a taxi to South Beach will cost between $80-$85, depending on the car type. However, a taxi ride to Miami International Airport will cost between $72-$90.
• Rideshare services: A Lyft ride from Fort Lauderdale to FLL can cost anywhere between $7 and $63. On average, an Uber will cost $22 for the ride. However, the rate may vary depending on the ride type, time of the journey, and the traffic conditions. The drop-off locations are on the upper level (Departure) in all terminals. The pick-up locations are at the lower level between all the terminals.

Amenities

These are the amenities you can find at Fort Lauderdale Airport.

• ATMs
• Art Exhibitions
• Charging stations
• Family Restrooms
• Children’s Play Area
• Nursing Rooms
• Baggage Storage
• Currency Exchange
• Business Center

Hotels near FLL Airport

Best Western Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port

1221 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport/South Cruise Port

2500 Stirling Rd, Hollywood, FL 33020

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport – South & Cruise Port

91 SW 18th Ave, Dania Beach, FL 33004

Motel 6 Dania Beach, FL

825 E Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach, FL 33004

Motel 6 Fort Lauderdale

1801 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Rodeway Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Port Everglades Cruise Port Hotel

2440 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Budget Inn

1317 S Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Comfort Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port

302 N Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, FL 33004

Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street

1100 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport – Dania Beach

1900 Stirling Rd, Dania Beach, FL 33004

FLL Airport Lounges

These are the lounges that you can find at the airport.

Delta Sky Club

Location: Terminal 2, close to the gate information area

United Club

Location: Terminal 1, close to Gate C1

Escape Lounge

Location: Terminal 3, between Gates E and F

Fort Lauderdale Airport Shops and Stores

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These are some of the shops and stores you can see in various FLL terminals. You can check out the complete list of shops and stores on Fort Lauderdale Airport’s official website.

Terminal 1

• Auntie Anne’s
• Great American Bagel
• Kona Big Wave Bar
• ​La Familia Tacos & Tequila
• Rocco’s Tacos
• 3Sixty Duty Free & More
• Tech on the Go
• Harley Davidson
• Island Of Bahama
• NewsLink

At Terminal 2

• Torn Basil
• Flash Fire Pizza
• Stella Bar
• Shake Shack
• Umaizushi
• EVOLVE by Hudson
• Distinctively Florida & Ink by Hudson
• NewsLink
• 3Sixty Duty Free & More
• Hudson Retail Kiosks

Terminal 3

• Einstein Bros. Bagels
• Bonefish Grill
• Pei Wei Asian Diner
• Pei Wei Asian Diner
• Pollo Tropical
• InMotion
• PGA Tour Fan Shop
• Hip & Humble
• M•A•C and Jo Malone
• CNBC Next Generation

Terminal 4

• DeSano Pizza
• Casa Noble
• Casavana Cuban Restaurant
• Kafe Kalik
• Zona Fresca
• LEGO
• Dylan’s Candy Bar
• Coastal Expressions/Shades of Time/Brighton
• Beaches Travelmart
• A Day at the Beach

Accessible Services

The airport construction offers safe and easy access for passengers with restricted mobility, including terminals, parking garages, and the Rental Car Center. Two programs offer extra aid to the required passengers.

• Aira: The airport provides free access to Aira, a visual interpretation service for blind people or sight-impaired. Passengers with low vision can use Aira to have a better airport experience. When using Aira’s app, the live-trained agents offer real-time directions and info to travelers with low or no vision.
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program (HDSP): This program aims to offer a subtle way for children and adults with hidden disabilities to display that they need extra support or some more time with airport processes. Passengers can request free sunflower identifiers, like pins and lanyards, via this email: [email protected]. Then, passengers will get info on the sunflower identifiers via email or in person, depending on the appointments.

Lost and Found

• If you lose an item in the airport’s public areas, such as shuttle buses or security checkpoints, you must fill out the claim form.
• Contact the airline company or rental car company if you lost an item on the flight or a rental car. The Lost and Found Office won’t accept responsibility for that.
• The TSA and U.S. Customs & Border Protection ​(CBP) will turn over all the lost items to the Lost and Found Office the next business day.

TSA PreCheck

All terminals have dedicated TSA PreCheck security lanes, which eligible passengers can use. However, each terminal’s security checkpoint operating hours vary.

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CLEAR

You can find dedicated CLEAR lanes at all the terminals. However, the operating hours of these lanes vary by each terminal.

Attractions Near Fort Lauderdale Airport

• Museum of Discovery and Science
• Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale
• Snyder Park
• FLL Airport Flight Landing View Point
• Historic Stranahan House Museum
• Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
• Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
• Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
• Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Fort Lauderdale Airport FAQs

What is FLL airport?

FLL stands for Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, which is the main airport in Broward County, Florida.

How far is FLL Airport from the Miami cruise port?

Fort Lauderdale Airport is almost 26.7 miles away from the Port of Miami.

Is Fort Lauderdale a big airport?

The airport covers an area of around 1,380 acres.

Is Fort Lauderdale Airport open 24 hours?

Yes, the airport is open 24 hours. However, the operating hours of TSA security checkpoints may vary.