Travel tips
As in most North American cities, walking is not the best option for getting around, besides exploring the immediate surroundings of your hotel. The city covers roughly an 80-sq-mi area and fortunately offers a good choice of handy transport options.
Taking a taxi in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has no shortage of taxi services. Choose from Larry's Private Car and Limo Service (+1 800-611-6631), Taxi Cab - Fort Lauderdale Airport Taxi (+1 954-222-2222), Yellow Cab Fort Lauderdale (+1 954-507-2311), and many more. You can also hail taxis on the street.
Convenient yet rather expensive, getting around the city by taxicab is not your best option if you’re on a budget. Tipping is about an additional 15%. Credit cards are accepted, though sometimes reluctantly, by most taxi drivers.
Uber and Lyft are the 2 main ride-sharing apps in use in Fort Lauderdale. Their rates are slightly cheaper than standard taxicabs.
Travelling by bus in Fort Lauderdale
Broward County Transit (BCT) is the name of the company that runs the public bus system in Fort Lauderdale. The BCT routes cover the entire city and their buses are wheelchair accessible.
There are 1-way tickets, 1-day passes, 3-day passes, 7-day passes, and more ticket options available at decent rates. Check out their website for further info about routes, fares, and where to purchase tickets and passes.
Riding the Sun Trolley in Fort Lauderdale
The Sun Trolley is a popular option for getting around Fort Lauderdale since it’s free. Brightly coloured in red and yellow, you can’t miss these trolley-like buses when they’re coming down the street. There are 5 routes available:
- Beach/Las Olas
- Downtown
- Neighbourhood
- NW Community
- Riverwalk Water Trolley
Visit their website for further info and to download their handy app.
Cruising on a water taxi in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is somehow the Venice of Florida. Waterways criss-cross the city from the ocean to the Everglades and offer a fun but pricey way to get from one point of the city centre to another.
The sightseeing is great as the yellow boats pass in front of stunning villas that once belonged to Cher, Leonard Nimoy, and other VIPs. Check out their website for additional info about their routes and to purchase tickets.
Renting a car in Fort Lauderdale
Renting a car is a good option if you stay a few days in Fort Lauderdale and plan to get around the city. It’s certainly more expensive than public transport, but it does give you the freedom to go anywhere whenever you want.
Foreigners are allowed to use their standard driving license for up to 4 months in the USA. All major car rental companies have offices at the airport and the only downside about driving in Fort Lauderdale is the heavy traffic. Simply, avoid driving during rush hour.
Ride around Fort Lauderdale with Broward BCycle
Broward BCycle is a bike-sharing scheme that allows you to explore Fort Lauderdale in a fun, healthy, and affordable way. About 20 stations storing standard and electric bicycles can be found throughout the city, from Pompano Beach to Hollywood.
