Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Miami (MIA)

Question

My spouse and I are arriving at FLL late morning on Sunday, Feb 9. For reasons I won’t get into, we are headed for a hotel near MIA. Check in time is 4pm. Suffice to say we have lots of time. We will have pre-cleared customs and only have two small luggage bags and a back pack. We are healthy and in our 60’s.

I have been looking at transportation options from FLL to MIA in the forums but they are years old and seem out of date.

If my research is accurate, I would estimate that a taxi would cost around $100 and Uber $80 on a Sunday around noon.

Another option would be to catch a train. It appears to be easy with a free shuttle, hourly trains.and inexpensive but I would like to hear some opinions on all methods. Thanks.

Answer

Traveling from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to the Miami Airport (MIA) area is very doable, and since you’re arriving late morning on a Sunday with plenty of time before check-in, you can choose based on convenience, budget, and how much you feel like navigating transit. Below is a detailed breakdown of all the realistic, up-to-date options.

Your assumptions on price for taxi and Uber are generally accurate, but trains are also a good choice if you don’t mind one transfer.

Here are the main transportation options with pros and cons:

Taxi
Direct from FLL to your Miami Airport–area hotel. Taxis line up outside arrivals and are reliable.

• Cost: Usually $95–$110

• Time: 35–50 minutes depending on traffic

• Pros: No waiting, no apps, no transfers

• Cons: More expensive than rideshares or trains
Uber/Lyft
Typically cheaper than taxis unless there’s surge pricing (rare on Sunday late morning).

• Cost: $70–$90 for UberX/Lyft; $90–$120 for Uber Comfort

• Time: 35–50 minutes

• Pros: Convenient, predictable pricing, fast

• Cons: Occasional pickup delays during busy airport periods
Tri-Rail (Train)
This is the budget-friendly option and very workable at midday on a Sunday. Tri-Rail runs directly from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport, with a shuttle on both ends.

How it works:

• Step 1: From FLL, take the free “FLL Airport Shuttle” to the Tri-Rail Airport Station (5–10 min).

• Step 2: Board Tri-Rail southbound to the “Miami Airport Station”. Trains run about hourly on Sundays.

• Step 3: At Miami Airport Station, take the free MIA Mover (airport tram) into MIA. From there, depending on your hotel, you may walk (if it’s directly connected), catch a hotel shuttle, or take a short Uber.

Costs & Time:

• Cost: About $5–$6 per person

• Time: ~1 to 1.25 hours total including transfers
Pros: Very inexpensive, easy transfers, reliable schedule
Cons: Not ideal if you dislike waiting for trains; requires one shuttle + one airport tram
Brightline (Train)
A comfortable higher-end rail option. However, it’s not the most efficient for going from FLL to MIA Airport.
How it works: You’d Uber from FLL to Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station, take a train to MiamiCentral, then Uber to MIA.

• Cost: $10–$25 per ticket + two Uber rides

• Time: 60–90 minutes

• Pros: Very comfortable, clean, fast trains

• Cons: Not direct, ends up costing more than Tri-Rail and often more than Uber direct

Given your timing (late morning Sunday), low luggage, and no rush, here’s how I would think about the choice:

Best balance of cost & convenience: Uber/Lyft direct to your hotel. It’s quick, comfortable, and you avoid the slight Tri-Rail wait times that are more noticeable on Sundays.
Most budget-friendly and still easy: Tri-Rail. If you don’t mind an hour total and two very simple transfers, it’s by far the cheapest option and works well outside rush hours.
Least hassle / easiest overall: Taxi. Walk out, get in, go—no waiting or apps. Just pricier.

If I were in your situation—arriving midday, not exhausted, no heavy bags—I’d choose Tri-Rail if I wanted to save money or Uber if I wanted pure convenience. Both are practical and safe for healthy travelers in their 60s with time to spare.

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Miami (MIA)

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