At a glance
- Fastest: Brightline, about 30 to 40 minutes downtown to downtown
- Cheapest: Tri-Rail, with a $5 all-day pass on weekends and holidays
- Driving: 35 to 50 minutes on I-95, often an hour or more at rush hour
- FLL to Miami Beach: about 28 miles; rideshare averages around $59
Fort Lauderdale is about 25 to 30 miles north of Miami, a drive of roughly 35 to 50 minutes on I-95 when traffic is light. The fastest reliable way between the two downtowns is the Brightline train, at about 30 to 40 minutes, while Tri-Rail is the cheapest rail option.
Here is how the train, car, bus and rideshare options compare, plus the best ways from Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) to Miami Beach.
How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?
Downtown Fort Lauderdale to downtown Miami is about 27 miles by road. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport sits a little further south, and from there to South Beach is about 28 miles, because Miami Beach lies east of downtown Miami across Biscayne Bay.
Fort Lauderdale to Miami: options compared
| Option | Time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightline train | About 30 to 40 min | From about $15 one way off-peak; more at busy times | Downtown to downtown, beating rush hour |
| Tri-Rail | About 50 min to 1 hour+ | A few dollars on weekdays; $5 all-day weekend pass | Budget trips, Miami airport connections |
| Car on I-95 | 35 to 50 min, often 1 hour+ at rush hour | Fuel, express lane tolls and parking | Groups, luggage, flexible plans |
| Uber or Lyft | About 50 min | Around $48 on average to downtown Miami; around $59 FLL to Miami Beach | Door to door with bags |
| Bus | About 1 hour or more | Lowest cost; local buses with a transfer, or intercity coaches | Tight budgets |
Prices were checked in October 2026. Rideshare figures are recent averages published by Uber and swing with demand.
How do you take Brightline from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
Brightline runs from its station in downtown Fort Lauderdale to MiamiCentral in downtown Miami, with a stop at Aventura on the way. The ride takes about 30 to 40 minutes, the coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets, and you book a reserved seat online or in the app.
Fares are dynamic. SMART tickets sold for as little as $15 on off-peak weekend trains in 2026, weekday rush-hour seats cost more, and PREMIUM adds a lounge and snacks. MiamiCentral connects directly to Metrorail and the free Metromover, so Brickell and downtown hotels are one short ride away. For South Beach, take a rideshare or Metrobus from the station. Flex fares include a shuttle transfer to or from Miami International or Fort Lauderdale airport.
Is Tri-Rail cheaper than Brightline?
Yes. Tri-Rail is the commuter train linking Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and it costs a fraction of Brightline. Weekday fares depend on how many zones you cross and rose by about 10 percent in October 2026. On weekends and holidays, a $5 pass covers the whole system all day.
The trade-off is time and convenience. Tri-Rail stations sit along a western rail corridor rather than in the downtowns, weekend trains run roughly hourly, and most southbound trains end at the Miami Airport station. To reach downtown Miami, transfer to Metrorail at the Metrorail Transfer station or Miami Airport, or use an express or connecting train to MiamiCentral. A Tri-Rail to Metrorail transfer costs $1.20 with a contactless card or EASY Card. Use the fare calculator on tri-rail.com for your exact trip.
How long is the drive from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
Expect 35 to 50 minutes on I-95 outside rush hour, and an hour or more on weekday mornings southbound and afternoons northbound. I-95 has express lanes with variable tolls paid by SunPass or Toll-By-Plate, and Florida's Turnpike is an alternative for western Miami-Dade.
Parking is the hidden cost. Miami Beach charges $4 an hour at South Beach street meters, and city garages run $2 an hour up to $20 a day. Hotel valet is usually higher.
Rideshare and taxis
Uber and Lyft are the simplest choice with luggage, and for a group of three or four the per-person cost gets close to the train. Uber's route data shows an average of about $48 from Fort Lauderdale to Miami and about $59 from FLL to Miami Beach for a standard ride, with premium cars costing much more. Prices jump during rush hour, big events and cruise days.
Can you take the bus from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
Yes, but it is the slowest choice. Broward County Transit buses connect with Miami-Dade Metrobus, and a transfer from Broward Transit to Metrobus costs 60 cents with a contactless card or EASY Card. Intercity operators such as FlixBus and Greyhound also run between the two cities. Check schedules carefully, because a cheap fare can mean a long trip.
How do you get from Fort Lauderdale airport to Miami Beach?
For most visitors, a rideshare or taxi straight to the hotel is the easiest way from FLL to Miami Beach, at about 50 minutes in normal traffic. On a budget, take the shuttle from the terminals to the Fort Lauderdale Airport Tri-Rail station, ride south, then connect by Metrorail and Metrobus. With luggage, that can take two hours or more.
A middle option is Brightline: use the airport shuttle included with Flex fares to reach the Fort Lauderdale station, ride to Aventura or MiamiCentral, then take a short rideshare to your hotel. If you have not booked your flight yet, compare fares into Miami International too, since it is much closer to the beach. See our Miami airport to South Beach guide.
Which option should you choose?
- Staying downtown or in Brickell: Brightline to MiamiCentral, then the Metromover.
- Staying in South Beach: rideshare door to door, or Brightline plus a short ride.
- Lowest cost: Tri-Rail, especially with the $5 weekend pass.
- Day trips and flexible plans: a car, if you can live with parking costs.
Heading further? See Miami to Orlando or our Miami public transportation guide.
Questions
How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?
About 27 miles downtown to downtown. The drive takes 35 to 50 minutes on I-95 without heavy traffic.
How long is the Brightline from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
About 30 to 40 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale station to MiamiCentral, with a stop at Aventura.
What is the cheapest way from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
Tri-Rail. Weekday fares are zone-based and only a few dollars, and a $5 pass covers unlimited rides on weekends and holidays.
How much is an Uber from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
About $48 on average for a standard ride, based on Uber's recent route data. Expect more at rush hour and during big events.
Is it better to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami for South Beach?
Miami International is closer, about 12 miles from South Beach versus about 28 from FLL. Fort Lauderdale can still win if the flight is much cheaper.
Sources we checked
- Brightline: Train Tickets
- Tri-Rail
- Miami-Dade County: Transit Fare Guide
- Uber: Fort Lauderdale to Miami route
- Uber: FLL to Miami Beach route
- City of Miami Beach: Parking Garage Rates
Hours, prices and rules change. Check the official site before you go, and tell us if something here is out of date.
