Car Rental at Fort Lauderdale Airport

Airport travel guide

When you arrive at Fort Lauderdale Airport, you will want to pick up a rental car as there is so much to do.

First, drive to Fort Lauderdale Beach, also known as The Strip to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, check out the seaside bars and cafés, and have fun sailing, fishing, jet skiing, parasailing, or scuba diving.

Afterward, drive over to Las Olas Boulevard This is central Fort Lauderdale where many of the main attractions are located, from museums and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to beautiful architecture and happening nightclubs. If you’re up for an adventure, check out a swamp safari, and make sure to see the flamingos in one of the national parks.

Consider going beyond Fort Lauderdale and exploring the surrounding region has even more to offer. You can even pick up your car at Fort Lauderdale Airport and drop it off elsewhere.

Here are some ideas of places you could go from Ft. Lauderdale if you get tired of lounging around on the beach all day:

• Miami: Just to the south of Ft. Lauderdale is the legendary nightlife and entertainment capital of the East Coast, Miami (and Miami Beach). Many use Ft. Lauderdale Airport as an alternative to flying into MIA due to it being served by more low-cost airlines. But even if your destination is the Ft. Lauderdale area, you shouldn’t miss driving down to Miami during your trip.
• The Florida Keys: Key Largo is only a three-hour drive south of Fort Lauderdale, though Key West is a couple of hours further down the road. You can enjoy some of the best scuba diving in the country or just snap a pic at the southernmost point of the United States. Either way, it’s definitely worth the trip.
• Everglades National Park: Though it’s a few hours’ drive to the south, the Everglades is an excellent place to spend time in nature. You can experience the unique landscape in many ways, whether it be just for a day of birdwatching or an extended kayaking trip.
• Orlando: Just three hours or so away from Ft. Lauderdale, the land of theme parks is easy to reach. Take the kids to Disney World or Universal Orlando for a fun time away from the beach. 

Top international routes

• Atlanta
• Bimini
• New York City
• Philadelphia
• Dallas
• Chicago
• Nassau
• Baltimore

Main airlines

JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaskan Airlines, and Air Canada

Terminals

There are four: Terminal 1 is the newest one and known as the yellow terminal; Terminal 2 is the Delta Terminal and also known as the red terminal); Terminal 3 is known as the Main Terminal or the purple terminal; and Terminal 4 or the International Terminal is also known as the green terminal. There’s a free shuttle between all of them.

Location

Fort Lauderdale Airport is 3 miles (5 km) south of Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. Highway US-1 connects the airport to downtown Fort Lauderdale while I-95 is the main road connecting the airport to Miami.

Most popular types of rental car

• Large cars - from $11 per day
• Medium cars - from $11 per day
• Small cars - from $11 per day
• SUVs - from $11 per day
• Premium cars - from $39 per day
• Vans - from $39 per day
• Convertibles - from $57 per day
• Station wagons - from $22 per day

Car rental desks

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport has a Rental Car Center in which most large national brands are located. The Rental Car Center is connected to Terminal 1’s Concourse B by a pedestrian bridge. Passengers that arrive at other terminals should catch a free shuttle bus to the Rental Car Center. The location where the bus picks up renters at other terminals is indicated well in every terminal.

Other rental companies have locations near the airport. Each of them provides a shuttle service. Those renting from these companies should proceed to the Rental Car Center to Zone G. There is a phone between bus stop #6 and Zone G from which you can call your off-airport rental company.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a range of bars, restaurants, and duty-free shops, ATMs, a business service center, and a lost-and-found office. There are four baggage storage services, located on the lower levels of Terminals 1 and 3 and on the upper levels of Terminals 2 and 4. Fort Lauderdale Airport offers special assistance to travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

What is the most convenient gas station at which to fill up prior to returning a rental car depends both on whether you are renting from a company located at the airport or not and from which direction you are traveling.

If traveling from the south and renting from a company located at the airport, you should exit I-95 one exit prior to the airport exit (that is, Exit 22 Stirling Road). At this exit, there is a Mobil station. As the best way to reach the airport from this station is to continue east along Stirling Road until reaching Highway 1 which goes to the airport, you can also stop at another Mobil station along that road. Note that the Chevron station closest to the airport has significantly higher prices and should be avoided.

If driving to the airport from downtown Fort Lauderdale, there are multiple gas stations located along Highway 1 prior to reaching the airport.

If driving along I-95 or I-595 from the north or west, multiple stations along Marina Mile Blvd/NW 24th Street are the most convenient. This is for those returning rental cars to both on-airport and off-airport locations as most off-airport locations are located along or just off this road.

Finally, if returning a car to one of the off-airport locations and coming from the south, it is best to travel north of the airport and exit on Marina Mile Blvd. (Exit 25) as mentioned previously.

Popular one-way rentals

• Orlando (219 miles / 352 km)
• Miami (26 miles / 42 km)
• Fort Myers (141 miles / 227 km)
• West Palm Beach (52 miles / 84 km)
• Tampa (255 miles / 410 km)
• Jupiter (70 miles / 113 km)