Flying into FLL vs MIA for Miami cruise

[InmyElement]

Southwest just opened their schedules till March 2024. We're booked for the Oasis in Jan out of Miami. Flights are about $400 cheaper for 4 to fly into FLL than Mia. We'll be going down 2 days ahead of time and flying out same day as disembarkation. I've never been to either but read that Miami is the lesser by several factors. Just looking for any advice/thoughts whether to go right into MIA or go with FLL. Uber XL estimates travel from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami port about $88-$97. I checked with my TA and other airlines, but nothing comes close to SW prices.

Thanks 

[Colon]

I used both. Flights from Mia for Fll cruise or viceversa. Cruise port is 45 mins o less to FLL. I never had problems to be on time. I used self desembark and arrived around 8:30 to the airport. 

[Ampurp85]

In April I flew into FLL for a sailing from Miami. Even though the cost of Lyft was about $68 with a tip each way it was still cheaper than flying directly into MIA. Hotels in FLL are a bit cheaper as well, especially if you want to be closer to the port.

[tonyfsu21]

Fort Lauderdale is better, cheaper and much less congested than Miami Dade County. If you can save money flying into FLL, the trip to Port of Miami is quick and easy on cruise day. If you decide to stay here, let me know if you need any suggestions for Fort Lauderdale as I am a long time local and live the South Florida lifestyle! 

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

I will always fly into FLL over Miami!  In fact, that is what we are doing for our November Indy cruise.  We will be staying in Miami though…always gotta get my Bayside Marketplace “fix”!   

[BB1]

On 7/9/2023 at 12:45 PM, tonyfsu21 said:

Fort Lauderdale is better, cheaper and much less congested than Miami Dade County. If you can save money flying into FLL, the trip to Port of Miami is quick and easy on cruise day. If you decide to stay here, let me know if you need any suggestions for Fort Lauderdale as I am a long time local and live the South Florida lifestyle! 

I have several cruises coming up, both out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. What would be the earliest flights you would suggest out of Ft Lauderdale Airport for cruises returning to both ports. We can do walk off at both ports. Thank you.

[tonyfsu21]

31 minutes ago, BB1 said:

I have several cruises coming up, both out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. What would be the earliest flights you would suggest out of Ft Lauderdale Airport for cruises returning to both ports. We can do walk off at both ports. Thank you.

I would consider booking a flight at any point after noon for both ports. This is certainly conservative but it allows for contingency in the case of issues with customs, transportation exc. As for pre cruise, come in the day before because of the mess that is current air travel (hopefully you NEVER have to connect through ATL or connect at all for that matter). 

[BB1]

Thanks for the info about ATL. I was looking at some Delta flights that connect there.  I didn't know it was so bad.

[tonyfsu21]

22 hours ago, BB1 said:

Thanks for the info about ATL. I was looking at some Delta flights that connect there.  I didn't know it was so bad.

Hopefully you can fly direct. I have connected through ATL a few times in the past couple months and have been heavily delayed or cancelled each time. Maybe it’s just bad luck but I wouldn’t take any chances before a vacation.  

[BB1]

Thanks for the info. It's very helpful. The flights I was looking at were actually post cruise. It's strange to me but a lot of the connections for American are in Charlotte and they schedule 30 minute layovers. I've never been brave enough to do that.

[tonyfsu21]

6 hours ago, BB1 said:

Thanks for the info. It's very helpful. The flights I was looking at were actually post cruise. It's strange to me but a lot of the connections for American are in Charlotte and they schedule 30 minute layovers. I've never been brave enough to do that.

Yes, that has been my experience connecting through ATL. It’s always something, either no pilot available or we are held on the ground at FLL until weather passes exc. A 30 minute gap has not been good enough. 

[deButler]

We had a Trans-Atlantic out of Miami in March and flew into FLL. Others flew into MIA so we just hopped on the BrightRail straight to MIA and then caught the hotel shuttle at MIA. Cost us about $10 each from FLL to MIA. I think it only took about an hour. Easy transfer. Saved about $400 for 2 of us on flight and transfers. 

[Gerre]

22 hours ago, deButler said:

We had a Trans-Atlantic out of Miami in March and flew into FLL. Others flew into MIA so we just hopped on the BrightRail straight to MIA and the?n caught the hotel shuttle at MIA. Cost us about $10 each from FLL to MIA. I think it only took about an hour. Easy transfer. Saved about $400 for 2 of us on flight and transfers. 

How did you get to the pier from hotel?

[deButler]

@Gerre  Our hotel had a shuttle to the pier. 

[CharmMicah68]

On Oasis this November.  Any suggestions on private shuttle/limo services from FLL area (where we fly into) to MIA cruise port?  We will overnight in FLL area, then go to MIA cruise port in the AM.  Off the ship at earliest time coming back to take private shuttle/limo back to FLL.  

[tonyfsu21]

On 8/23/2023 at 9:45 AM, CharmMicah68 said:

On Oasis this November.  Any suggestions on private shuttle/limo services from FLL area (where we fly into) to MIA cruise port?  We will overnight in FLL area, then go to MIA cruise port in the AM.  Off the ship at earliest time coming back to take private shuttle/limo back to FLL.  

It’s much less of a hassle to just call an Uber or Lyft. 

[RamblingRandie]

I am also looking for flights for a Miami cruise in March of 2024. My preferred airports do not fly into Miami. And the times for the flights to Miami and the airports I can fly out of are real bad. I have been thinking of doing the same as you. Fly into FLL, stay at hotel in FLL and get a transport to Miami in the morning. 

[tonyfsu21]

On 9/1/2023 at 4:07 PM, RamblingRandie said:

I am also looking for flights for a Miami cruise in March of 2024. My preferred airports do not fly into Miami. And the times for the flights to Miami and the airports I can fly out of are real bad. I have been thinking of doing the same as you. Fly into FLL, stay at hotel in FLL and get a transport to Miami in the morning. 

March is an expensive month in Miami or Fort Lauderdale due to college spring break. The hotel prices will be 1-200% more than normal. 

[Southern Waters]

On 9/25/2023 at 4:48 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

March is an expensive month in Miami or Fort Lauderdale due to college spring break. The hotel prices will be 1-200% more than normal. 

Some friends and I are on a cruise out of Miami on Feb 25; 3 of us are flying into FLL, the other 3 to MIA.  We'd like a hotel in the north Miami/south Ft. Lauderdale area that won't break the bank.  Matt's favorite in FLL (Marriott Ft. Lauderdale Airport) looks good and is definitely on the list, but I'd like to check out some a little further toward Miami as well.  Any suggestions?

[tonyfsu21]

1 hour ago, Southern Waters said:

Some friends and I are on a cruise out of Miami on Feb 25; 3 of us are flying into FLL, the other 3 to MIA.  We'd like a hotel in the north Miami/south Ft. Lauderdale area that won't break the bank.  Matt's favorite in FLL (Marriott Ft. Lauderdale Airport) looks good and is definitely on the list, but I'd like to check out some a little further toward Miami as well.  Any suggestions?

I don’t really have any recommendations for Miami unfortunately. I’m sure others can chime in for something but it’s certainly not going to get any better price wise the closer you get to Miami. If you fly into FLL it makes sense to stay in the area and just ride share to the port of Miami on the morning of your cruise. I would suggest you check out Dania Pointe as Feb 25th is pushing too close to the start of Spring break and prices will be noticeably higher.

[kdbuckner78]

On 7/9/2023 at 2:45 PM, tonyfsu21 said:

Fort Lauderdale is better, cheaper and much less congested than Miami Dade County. If you can save money flying into FLL, the trip to Port of Miami is quick and easy on cruise day. If you decide to stay here, let me know if you need any suggestions for Fort Lauderdale as I am a long time local and live the South Florida lifestyle! 

Hello, I know this is old. But can you help us with a Hotel? We land around 11pm at FLL and would like to have a hotel with a shuttle, and not bad reviews. Then we will uber / lift the next morning to Port of Miami.

[tonyfsu21]

17 hours ago, kdbuckner78 said:

Hello, I know this is old. But can you help us with a Hotel? We land around 11pm at FLL and would like to have a hotel with a shuttle, and not bad reviews. Then we will uber / lift the next morning to Port of Miami.

Stay away from the shuttles and use the ride share services to avoid limiting hotel choices in the area w/ shuttle service. Hotels closer to Fort Lauderdale proper (or the beach) will be more expensive and possibly unavailable depending on the time of year you travel. March is college spring break so Miami and Fort Lauderdale hotels are mostly booked (I hope you are not cruising in March..). With that being said, check hotels in Dania Pointe area which will be perfect if you are looking for an overnight and also close proximity to I-95 for the Uber on cruise day. Good luck.

[Lovetocruise2002]

On 1/28/2025 at 4:38 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

Stay away from the shuttles

+1 on this. @tonyfsu21 knows best because he is local to that area, but the times my parents have used a hotel shuttle after flying into FLL the wait has been LONG! Not worth it when you can just hop into an Uber/Lyft. If you look at online reviews of hotels nearby with free shuttle service, that comment (that the wait is long) comes up quite a lot.

[HeWhoWaits]

22 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

+1 on this. @tonyfsu21 knows best because he is local to that area, but the times my parents have used a hotel shuttle after flying into FLL the wait has been LONG! Not worth it when you can just hop into an Uber/Lyft. If you look at online reviews of hotels nearby with free shuttle service, that comment (that the wait is long) comes up quite a lot.

I used a hotel shuttle at FLL one time. I could have walked to the hotel in about half the combined wait, pick up others who were waiting, and travel time.