Payless Car Hire
Fort Lauderdale

After collecting your luggage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the most direct route is to follow the overhead signs for the Rental Car Center (RCC). All rental companies, including Payless, are located in this dedicated facility. Depending on your arrival terminal, you will either walk a short distance or take a complimentary shuttle bus directly to the RCC. The airport signage is clear and well lit, even late at night, guiding you efficiently from baggage claim to the rental centre's transport area.

During peak cruise travel periods, typically Friday through Monday mornings, the Rental Car Center at FLL can be significantly busier. It’s sensible to allow an extra 30 to 45 minutes for the entire pickup process. This buffer accounts for potentially longer queues at the rental desk and increased passenger traffic on the airport shuttles. Planning for this extra time helps ensure a relaxed start to your journey without the stress of rushing to your next destination, whether that’s Port Everglades or another South Florida attraction.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is designed for easy navigation between terminals. If you arrive at a terminal without a direct walkway to the Rental Car Center, simply follow the signs for Ground Transportation. There you’ll find designated shuttle bus stops providing frequent, complimentary service directly to the RCC. These shuttles run on a continuous loop, so you shouldn’t have a long wait to reach the Payless counter, regardless of your arrival terminal.

When your group arrives on different flights, the most efficient strategy is for the primary driver to proceed to the Rental Car Center first. They can complete the rental agreement at the Payless desk while the rest of the group is en route. The others can then meet at the RCC, which offers seating areas and facilities. This approach avoids having the whole group wait at the arrivals curb and streamlines getting everyone into the vehicle and on their way.

The best and safest place to get the vehicle set up is within the Rental Car Center’s car park itself, before you exit the facility. Find a safe spot in the car park where you are not blocking traffic flow and take a few minutes to adjust mirrors, seats and the steering wheel. This is also the ideal time to connect your phone to the car’s Bluetooth and programme your sat-nav. Once you leave the airport grounds, finding a convenient and safe spot to pull over becomes much more difficult.

Before setting off on a long drive such as to the Florida Keys, it’s sensible to do a quick walk-round of your hire vehicle. Check the tyres to ensure they look properly inflated and inspect the windscreen for any chips or cracks that could worsen on the highway. It’s also a good idea to confirm the air conditioning is blowing cold, an important feature for Florida travel. Taking a few minutes for this inspection in the lot gives you peace of mind before you embark on a longer journey.

For a straightforward drive to Fort Lauderdale Beach, the most direct route is often best. From the airport, follow signs for US-1 North (Federal Highway). This main road runs parallel to the coast and has fewer complex interchanges than the interstate. You can then take a simple right turn east onto a major causeway, such as SE 17th Street or Las Olas Boulevard, to reach the beach. This route keeps you on surface streets and helps you acclimatise to local traffic patterns more comfortably.

For a less intense drive to Miami Beach, consider taking US-1 South from the airport area instead of immediately joining I-95. While it may take longer due to traffic lights, US-1 (also known as Biscayne Boulevard in Miami) is a more conventional road with lower speeds. This route lets you get a feel for the area without the pressure of high-speed lane changes. Once you are further south, you can then take one of the causeways, like the Julia Tuttle or MacArthur, east to Miami Beach.

Driving on I-95 in South Florida can be fast-paced, with many drivers making quick lane changes. For visitors, a safer strategy is to choose a lane and stay in it as much as possible, ideally one of the middle lanes to avoid merging traffic from on-ramps and exiting traffic. Always signal well in advance and maintain a generous following distance from the car ahead. Resisting the urge to weave through traffic will result in a much safer and less stressful driving experience.

Getting to Hollywood Beach or Dania Beach from FLL is straightforward, as they are the closest beaches to the airport. The most direct route is to exit the airport and follow signs for US-1 South. From US-1 you can make an easy left turn east onto either Dania Beach Boulevard or Hollywood Boulevard. Both of these roads will take you directly to the A1A coastal highway and the beachfront areas, minimising your time on major interstates.

When driving your hire car to Port Everglades, be prepared for a well organised but secure environment. You will need to enter through a security checkpoint, so it helps to have your travel documents accessible. Inside the port, follow the large, clear signs for your specific cruise line and terminal number. The terminal loops are designed for one-way traffic, making drop-offs straightforward, but be mindful of pedestrians and luggage trolleys as you approach the designated areas.

The most efficient plan is to drive from Port Everglades directly to the FLL Rental Car Center. The port and airport are located very close to each other, just a few minutes’ drive apart. After collecting your family, follow the signs to exit the port and then immediately look for signs directing you to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Head straight to the Rental Car Return area, where you can drop off the vehicle and then proceed with your family to the airline check-in counters via the airport’s internal walkways or shuttle buses.

During weekday morning rush hour, typically from 07:00 to 09:30, traffic from the beach to the airport can be heavy. It’s good practice to double the normal travel time. If the drive is usually 20 minutes, plan for at least 40 to 50 minutes to be safe. This accounts for congestion on the causeways and US-1. Leaving earlier provides a comfortable cushion for returning your Payless vehicle, refuelling if needed, and getting to your terminal without feeling rushed.

The FLL Rental Car Center is designed for seamless connections to the airline terminals. After you drop off your vehicle with Payless, simply follow the signs inside the RCC for your specific terminal number or airline. You can use the convenient elevated walkways to access some terminals directly. For others, you’ll take a short escalator down to ground level to catch a free shuttle bus that stops at every terminal, making it easy to get exactly where you need to go.

The best place for a final baggage adjustment is after you have fully returned the vehicle and are on foot. Once you’ve completed the return process with Payless, you can step aside in the spacious lobby of the Rental Car Center. This area is out of the way of vehicle traffic and provides ample room to reorganise your luggage before you head towards the terminal walkways or shuttles. Avoid doing this in the parking garage lanes where you drop off the car, as this can impede the flow of traffic.

For an easy day trip to the Everglades, take I-595 West from Fort Lauderdale until it merges with I-75 North. Then follow signs for US-27 South, which will lead you directly to the northern entrances of the park, where many airboat tour operators are located. The drive is straightforward highway travel for the first part. Once you turn onto US-27, the landscape becomes much more rural and the road is a simpler, slower-paced highway, giving you a chance to take in the scenery as you approach the wetlands.

Sawgrass Mills offers extensive free parking in large lots and car parks surrounding the mall, but it can get very busy, especially at weekends. A good tip is to take a photo of the sign or landmark nearest to where you parked to help you find your car later. When leaving, be patient, as the roads immediately around the mall can be congested. Follow the signs for major routes like I-595 or the Sawgrass Expressway, and be prepared for slow-moving traffic until you are fully back on the main thoroughfare.

Driving from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is a long but scenic journey, typically taking around four hours without stops. The drive is mostly on the two-lane Overseas Highway once you reach the Keys. To reduce fatigue, plan for a couple of breaks at key points. Key Largo is a great first stop for a coffee or a short walk. Further south, Islamorada or Marathon offer excellent spots for lunch with ocean views, breaking the drive into more manageable segments before you reach the final stretch to Key West.

Driving in the Las Olas and downtown areas involves negotiating a mix of busy boulevards and tighter side streets. When accessing hotel or public parking garages, be prepared for narrow ramps and sharp turns, so take them slowly. Many hotels have small, designated loading zones for check-in, which are often time-limited. It’s best to unload your luggage quickly and then proceed to find long-term parking to avoid blocking the flow of traffic on these bustling streets.

Overnight parking near the beach can be challenging, as many spots are metered with time limits or designated for residents. Most travellers find it easiest to use their hotel’s valet or self-parking garage for convenience and security. Public car park availability is best late in the evening after day-trippers have left and before the nightlife crowd arrives. On weekends and during peak season, finding an open spot in a public lot becomes significantly more difficult, making hotel parking the most reliable option.

To minimise traffic stress at FLA Live Arena, plan to arrive early, at least an hour before the event starts. This allows you to park and get inside without rushing. When leaving, the key is patience, as thousands of cars will be exiting at once. Some visitors find it helpful to wait 20–30 minutes after the event ends for the initial surge to clear. Alternatively, parking further from the main entrance can sometimes provide a quicker exit onto the Sawgrass Expressway.

Driving to Hard Rock Stadium from Fort Lauderdale on game day requires planning for heavy traffic, especially on the Florida Turnpike. It’s highly recommended to leave much earlier than your sat-nav suggests. The stadium has a well-managed traffic flow system, directing cars to specific lots based on their arrival route. Pay close attention to the electronic signs and traffic officers rather than relying solely on your navigation app once you get close to the stadium, as they will guide you to the most efficient parking areas.

When exploring dense, high-traffic areas, it’s often best to park your hire car once and explore on foot or with a rideshare. In Miami, this strategy works perfectly for South Beach’s Art Deco District or the Wynwood Walls area, where parking is scarce and expensive. Similarly, in Fort Lauderdale, you can park near Las Olas Boulevard or the beach and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and shoreline without the hassle of repeatedly finding a new parking spot for short trips.

The interchange where I-595, I-95 and US-1 all converge just north of the airport can be challenging for first-time visitors. There are numerous flyover ramps, lane splits and exits in quick succession. It’s crucial to pay close attention to your sat-nav well in advance and look for the overhead signs that match your intended route number. Staying in your lane early and avoiding last-minute changes is the key to navigating this complex area successfully.

Cell service and GPS navigation are generally very reliable in the urban areas around FLL and Port Everglades. However, within the concrete structures of the airport’s car parks or the port’s cruise terminals, you might experience a temporary signal loss. A good backup plan is to review your route on the map before you start driving. Having a general idea of the major roads you need, like US-1 or I-595, will help you stay on course until your signal reconnects.

During South Florida’s frequent heavy rainstorms, visibility can drop dramatically in an instant. While many local drivers may not slow down significantly, it is safest for visitors to reduce their speed, turn on their headlights, and increase their following distance. These downpours can cause temporary flooding on roadways and will almost always lead to traffic slowdowns. It’s wise to add at least 25–50% extra time to your trip during rainy conditions.

The most practical and safe location to install a child seat is in your assigned parking spot at the Payless lot within the Rental Car Center. This area is well lit, covered from the elements and out of the main flow of traffic. Taking the time to properly and securely install the seat here, before you even start the engine, ensures your child’s safety and allows you to begin your drive with confidence and peace of mind, without the pressure of other vehicles waiting.

For a trip involving daily beach excursions, ample and easily accessible cargo space is the most important vehicle feature. An SUV or a minivan often works best, providing enough room to lay chairs and umbrellas flat without having to struggle. A vehicle with a lower boot lip also makes it easier to lift heavy coolers in and out. Features like a power tailgate can be a huge convenience when your hands are full of sandy gear at the end of the day.

To enjoy a smooth drive north to the Palm Beaches, try to avoid weekday rush hours. The ideal time to head north from Fort Lauderdale is mid-morning, between 09:30 and 11:30, after the morning commute has subsided. For your return trip, plan to leave Palm Beach either before 15:00 or after 18:30 to miss the worst of the southbound evening traffic on I-95. This scheduling will help you spend more time enjoying your destination and less time in traffic.

The most straightforward route for this trip is to take I-95 North directly from the Fort Lauderdale area. This interstate runs straight through both Boca Raton and Delray Beach, with clearly marked exits for each city’s main east–west roads, such as Glades Road in Boca or Atlantic Avenue in Delray. Sticking to I-95 avoids the need for complex interchanges or navigating unfamiliar local roads, making for a simple and direct drive up the coast.

Petrol stations immediately bordering the airport can be very busy and have tight entrances, making them stressful when you’re on a tight schedule. For a much easier experience, consider refuelling at a station a mile or two away from the airport along a main road like US-1 (Federal Highway). These locations typically have larger forecourts and more straightforward access from the main road, allowing you to refuel and get back on your way to the rental return with less hassle.

Even on an early drive to the beach, traffic can build up at key choke points. The drawbridges on the causeways, such as the 17th Street Causeway or Las Olas Boulevard, are the most common sources of delay as they open for boat traffic. Additionally, the junctions just before you reach the A1A coastal highway can get congested as beachgoers converge. Allowing a little extra time for these potential stops is always a good idea.

Driving on A1A offers pleasant ocean views but is a slow-paced, scenic route rather than a quick thoroughfare. The most congested section is typically the central Fort Lauderdale Beach area, especially near Las Olas Boulevard, where pedestrian traffic is heavy. Parking becomes progressively more difficult the closer you get to popular spots like Fort Lauderdale Beach Park or the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. It’s often easier to find parking a few blocks west of A1A and walk to the beach.

For a relaxing scenic drive, head north on State Road A1A from Fort Lauderdale Beach. This coastal road winds through smaller beach towns like Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Hillsboro Beach and Deerfield Beach. The drive offers continuous views of the ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. The pace is much slower than the interstate, with plenty of places to pull over, enjoy the view, or stop for a bite to eat, making for a perfect half-day excursion.

When travelling from Miami to FLL for a departure, especially on a weekday, traffic is the biggest factor to consider. The drive can take anywhere from 45 minutes to well over 90 minutes during morning or evening rush hours. To avoid stress, plan to leave Miami significantly earlier than you think you need to. Check a live traffic app before you depart and give yourself at least an hour’s buffer on top of the estimated travel time to allow for unexpected delays on I-95.

Driving from FLL to Miami during a weekday afternoon, particularly between 15:00 and 19:00, means heading directly into peak rush hour traffic. A trip that might take 35 minutes in light traffic can easily stretch to 75 minutes or more. You should expect significant variability and plan for a slow, stop‑and‑go journey on I-95. It’s best to build this extra time into your schedule so the traffic doesn’t cause stress or make you late for your plans in Miami.

If you miss the turn for the Rental Car Center or your GPS gets confused, don’t panic or attempt an unsafe manoeuvre. Simply continue following the airport’s main loop road. The airport road system is designed to circle back around, allowing you to re-approach the turnoff for the Rental Car Center on your next pass. Pay close attention to the overhead signs on your second approach, as they are your most reliable guide to the correct entrance.