Car Hire
Fort Lauderdale Airport

Fort Lauderdale Airport simplifies things with its consolidated Rental Car Centre (RCC), which houses most rental companies in one building. No matter which of the four terminals you arrive at, the procedure is the same. After collecting your luggage from baggage reclaim, follow the prominent overhead signs for "Rental Car Centre". These will direct you outside to the designated shuttle-bus pick-up area on the arrivals level. These complimentary shuttles run continuously, taking you on a short ride straight to the RCC lobby.

Transporting oversized luggage at FLL is a routine process designed to be straightforward. Once you collect your items from baggage reclaim, you can use one of the airport’s readily available luggage trolleys to manage everything easily. Take the trolley with you as you follow signs to the Rental Car Centre shuttle stop just outside the terminal. The shuttle buses are equipped to handle luggage, including larger items, ensuring you and your belongings have a smooth, direct trip to the rental facility.

A practical, easy-to-find meeting point is the main lobby of the Rental Car Centre (RCC). Since everyone in your group will need to go there eventually, it reduces confusion and extra steps. Alternatively, you could choose a specific spot in the baggage reclaim area for the last person’s arriving flight. This lets everyone gather and collect all luggage before heading to the RCC shuttle together. Both options keep your group indoors and comfortable while you coordinate arrivals.

The most frequent point of confusion is finding the correct shuttle-bus stop outside baggage reclaim. While the airport signage is excellent, the kerbside can be busy with various transport options such as hotel shuttles and ride-share pick-ups. The key is to look specifically for signs reading "Rental Car Centre" and wait in that designated area. Ignore other solicitations and focus only on that signage to ensure you board the correct complimentary shuttle to the rental facility.

On a typical weekday afternoon, it’s sensible to allow around 60 to 90 minutes from the moment you collect your bags to when you drive away. This includes walking to the shuttle stop, the short shuttle ride to the Rental Car Centre, and any queues at the rental counter. During peak travel seasons or if multiple flights arrive at once, it can take a bit longer. Planning for this helps you start your trip relaxed rather than rushed.

Arriving late at FLL is generally smooth as it’s a major international airport operating around the clock. Wayfinding signage throughout the terminals and on approach roads is well lit and clear, so navigation remains straightforward even late at night. The complimentary shuttle to the Rental Car Centre runs 24/7 to accommodate all flights. While there may be fewer staff at the counters, the major rental agencies remain open to serve customers with late-arriving reservations.

Your rental agreement is your guide to finding the car efficiently. It will state the specific bay number, level and row where your vehicle is parked. The RCC car park is well organised with large, colour-coded section signs and numbered row signs. Take the lift to the correct level and follow the overhead signage to your assigned row to reach your vehicle without guesswork.

A great option is the airport’s cell phone waiting lot, located just a minute or two from the Rental Car Centre. It’s a safe, calm place to pull over, set up your GPS, connect your phone to the car’s Bluetooth, and adjust seats and mirrors. Alternatively, you can use a petrol station or small shopping plaza on US-1 (Federal Highway) shortly after leaving airport grounds. These spots make it easy to pause before joining major routes such as I-595.

Right after exiting the Rental Car Centre, drivers face multi-lane roads that quickly feed into major interchanges. The most common challenge is merging onto US-1 (Federal Highway) and almost immediately needing to be in the correct lane for the I-595 interchange. This requires quick decisions and close attention to overhead signs. Missing your turn can mean an inconvenient loop, so it’s best to have your navigation set up and running before you leave the car park.

For a low-stress drive to Fort Lauderdale Beach, the simplest approach is to avoid the big highway interchanges at first. From the airport, follow signs for US-1 North. Continue on US-1 for a few miles until SE 17th Street, then turn right heading east. This takes you over the scenic Intracoastal Waterway bridge and directly towards the southern end of the beach area. This surface-street route is straightforward and generally less hectic than navigating I-595.

When driving to a hotel on Las Olas Boulevard, it’s best to have your navigation app on, as the downtown area uses many one-way streets. A simple approach is to take US-1 North from the airport and turn east onto Broward Boulevard, then turn south to approach your hotel. Before you arrive, it’s wise to call the hotel and ask for their specific instructions on where to pull in for check-in and unloading. They can give you the best entry point to avoid circling the block.

To avoid parking frustration at Hollywood Beach, especially at weekends or on holidays, plan to arrive earlier in the day. Rather than searching for limited on-street parking, head straight to a large public car park, such as the one at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. These typically offer plenty of spaces and are a short walk from the Broadwalk. Using a garage saves you the hassle of circling and gets you enjoying the beach sooner.

Driving from FLL to Port Everglades is exceptionally easy as they’re right next to each other. As you leave the airport’s rental facility, look immediately for the large, clear signs for Port Everglades. The route is direct and designed for cruise passengers, with dedicated lanes separating port traffic from general traffic. Stay in the lanes signed for Port Everglades and the signs will guide you directly to the correct terminal for your cruise line.

A smart strategy is to use your hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle to get from the terminal to your accommodation on arrival day. This lets you check in and relax without paying for a hire car you don’t need immediately. The next morning, take the hotel shuttle back to the airport’s Rental Car Centre to pick up your vehicle. This can save the cost of one rental day and avoids overnight parking concerns at the hotel.

Driving along A1A on Fort Lauderdale’s coast offers great views but requires patience. It’s a busy, low-speed road with heavy pedestrian activity and frequent stops. Public beach access points are plentiful, but parking is a mix of public lots, garages and metered on-street spaces. At peak times these fill quickly, so a good approach is to take the first available space you see rather than hoping for a better one further along. Be prepared to walk a few blocks to your preferred beach spot.

The most convenient choice for exploring downtown Fort Lauderdale is one of the many city-run or private parking garages. They’re well located throughout the area, particularly near Las Olas Boulevard and the Riverwalk. Parking centrally allows you to leave the car for several hours and explore on foot or by using the Water Taxi. This is far easier than hunting for and moving between different on-street spaces.

The most direct and simplest route for a day trip to Miami is Interstate 95 (I-95) South. From the Fort Lauderdale airport area, you can reach I-95 via I-595 West. While I-95 is often busy, it provides a straight run down the coast with many exits for popular destinations such as South Beach, Downtown and Wynwood. Using a GPS is strongly recommended to pick the right exit and handle local streets once you arrive.

For a calmer drive, avoid typical weekday rush hours, roughly 7:00 to 9:30 and 16:00 to 19:00. Late morning, from about 10:00 until midday, is often the easiest window. Weekend traffic can be consistently heavy, especially on Saturday afternoons, but it often lacks the intense, commuter-style pace of weekdays. Driving later in the evening, after 20:00, is also noticeably more relaxed.

A day trip to West Palm Beach is very straightforward. The easiest plan is to take I-95 North directly from the Fort Lauderdale area; it’s typically about an hour without heavy traffic. Once in downtown West Palm Beach, you’ll find plenty of public parking garages near areas such as Clematis Street and The Square (formerly CityPlace). Using one of these garages gives you simple, central parking for a day of exploring.

For a relaxed day trip to Key Largo, start early to beat traffic. The simplest route is the Florida Turnpike South all the way to its end in Florida City, where it merges smoothly into US-1 South (the Overseas Highway). This avoids most city driving. For easy breaks, there are several large service plazas directly on the Turnpike. Once on US-1, look for public parks such as John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park or large shopping centres in Key Largo for safe, easy places to stop.

The most accessible Everglades experience from Fort Lauderdale is the northern region, which is an easy motorway drive. Take I-595 West until it becomes I-75 West, then follow signs for US-27. Along this corridor you’ll find tour operators such as Sawgrass Recreation Park offering airboat rides with large, dedicated car parks. This area delivers a great Everglades visit without the longer drive to the main park entrances further south.

Drawbridges are common around Fort Lauderdale, especially along the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River. They open for boat traffic, often on a fixed schedule (for example, twice an hour) or on demand for large vessels. When a bridge is up, traffic may be stopped for 10 to 15 minutes, creating significant queues. If your route crosses the Intracoastal, it’s wise to allow an extra 20 to 30 minutes for potential bridge delays.

Driving in South Florida can be fast paced and benefits from an assertive yet defensive approach. Expect frequent, sometimes sudden lane changes by other drivers, who may not always indicate. Keep a safe following distance to give yourself more reaction time. Pay attention to traffic flow, stay aware of surrounding vehicles, and be decisive when you need to merge or change lanes.

In Florida’s intense downpours, the biggest risk is the combination of poor visibility and standing water. Spray from other vehicles—especially lorries on the motorway—can briefly blind you. Roads can also flood quickly, creating deep puddles that increase the risk of aquaplaning. Lane markings on older roads can become hard to see when wet, making it difficult to stay centred. Slow down significantly, increase your following distance, and pull over if visibility becomes too poor.

For city driving and beach parking in Fort Lauderdale, a compact or mid-size saloon is often ideal. These are easier to manoeuvre in traffic and fit better into the tight spaces common in beach lots and downtown garages. A reversing camera is very helpful in crowded parking areas. And a strong, reliable air conditioning system is essential for South Florida’s heat and humidity.

The easiest place to get everyone settled is right at your assigned parking bay in the Rental Car Centre. Before you even start the engine, take the time you need in the garage to fit child seats, buckle everyone in, and organise snacks or drinks. The car park is a relatively calm, low-traffic environment compared with the busy roads outside, helping you start off safely and comfortably.

A practical plan is to bring your own phone mount and charging cable, as rental cars don’t always include them. Before you pull out of your bay at the Rental Car Centre, take a few minutes to set everything up. Attach the mount to the dashboard or windscreen, plug the cable into the car’s USB port or power socket, and secure your phone. Enter your first destination and start navigation while still parked for a hands-free, stress-free departure.

Before leaving the rental lot, do a quick but thorough walkaround. Check the exterior for scratches, dents or dings and ensure they’re recorded on your rental agreement. Look at all four tyres to make sure they appear properly inflated. Inside, start the car to check for warning lights, test the air conditioning, and locate the controls for headlights and windscreen wipers. This five-minute check can prevent major hassles later.

The easiest approach is to head just north or south of the airport on US-1 (Federal Highway). Several major supermarkets and shopping centres sit directly on this main road within a 5 to 10 minute drive. Getting to a store on US-1 is straightforward and keeps you away from the complex I-595 interchange, reducing the chance of accidentally re-entering the airport loop. Set your GPS for a supermarket on US-1 and you’ll be on your way.

Before you travel, it’s crucial to confirm parking details with the owner or rental manager. Ask how many spaces are assigned to your unit and whether there are any vehicle size restrictions. Check whether you need a physical parking permit to display on the dashboard to avoid towing. Knowing this in advance prevents the stress of arriving with luggage and having nowhere safe to park your hire car.

Visitors are often surprised by how strictly parking rules are enforced, especially near the beach. Many on-street spaces have time limits that are actively monitored, and towing is common in residential permit-only zones. Another modern twist is the widespread use of pay-by-phone apps for meters; it’s wise to download the app shown on the signs as soon as you park. Always double-check restrictions, as rules can change from one block to the next.

For a night out, the easiest plan is to choose a centrally located public parking garage in the downtown or Las Olas area. Park once and leave the car there for the evening; these garages are typically well lit and secure. From there you can walk to many bars and restaurants, or use a ride-share for short hops. It’s safer and far less stressful than hunting for on-street parking late at night.

The simplest, most direct route to Naples is via I-75 North, known as Alligator Alley as it crosses the state. From the FLL area, take I-595 West to connect to I-75. It’s a straightforward toll road with few exits, making it easy to navigate. To avoid feeling rushed, start in the morning and plan a stop at one of the designated rest areas along the Alley. The drive is about two hours, leaving plenty of time to enjoy Naples.

Reaching Sawgrass Mills from the FLL area is simple. Take I-595 West for about 15 miles and follow the large, clear signs to the mall exit. The centre is huge, so the key to parking is remembering where you’ve left the car. The car parks are colour-coded and numbered—take a photo of the nearest sign or entrance number. Arriving on a weekday morning usually gives you the best choice of spaces close to the main entrances.

The most common mistake is missing the dedicated "Rental Car Return" signs that appear early on the airport approach roads. Many drivers instinctively follow the main signs for "Departures" or "Arrivals", which sends them into the busy terminal loops. To avoid this, stay alert as you approach the airport and move into the correct lane as soon as you see the first rental return sign. This will lead you straight to the correct garage entrance.

Approaching FLL from I-95, you’ll exit onto I-595 East. As you near the airport, lanes split for different destinations. For a less stressful approach, move into the right-hand lanes early and watch the overhead signs carefully. Look specifically for "Rental Car Return" and follow that lane; it separates you from the main terminal traffic and guides you directly to the garage entrance.

The sequence is straightforward and designed to flow. First, follow signs for "Departures" to the upper-level roadway and drop off passengers and luggage at the kerb for their airline. Once they’re on their way, continue following the airport loop. The signs will then direct you out of the departures loop and onto the roadway leading to the "Rental Car Return" entrance.

The Rental Car Centre (RCC) is clearly signed to get you back to your terminal. After dropping off your keys, follow signs for "Terminal Shuttles" or "To Terminals". For Terminal 1, there’s a convenient elevated walkway that connects directly to the concourse. For Terminals 2, 3 and 4, follow signs to the waiting area for complimentary shuttle buses, which will take you directly to the correct departures level.

While dropping off the car is usually quick, the steps afterwards can take longer. Waiting for the shuttle from the Rental Car Centre to the terminals can sometimes be 10 to 15 minutes depending on timing and passenger volume. The biggest delay is often the TSA security queue inside the terminal, which can be very long for early flights. It’s wise to allow at least 30 extra minutes from the rental centre to your gate.

During peak travel periods, the main pinch point is the final approach to the airport on I-595 and US-1. Traffic can back up for a mile or more just trying to get onto airport property. Another significant bottleneck is at the entrance to the Rental Car Return garage itself, where all returning vehicles funnel into only a few lanes. It’s essential to allow an extra 45 to 60 minutes of driving time for these potential delays.