Budget Car Rental
Fort Lauderdale

Once you land at FLL and collect your luggage from baggage claim, you will need to proceed to the airport's consolidated Rental Car Center (RCC). To get there, exit the terminal on the lower level and follow the signs for Ground Transportation. You will then board a complimentary shuttle bus that takes all passengers directly to the RCC, where the Budget counter is located.

The Budget pickup counter at FLL is not located inside any of the airport terminals. It is housed within the dedicated Rental Car Center (RCC), a separate, multi-level facility that serves all major car rental companies. After collecting your bags, you must take a short shuttle bus ride from your arrival terminal to reach this central location and complete your pickup.

No single terminal is significantly closer to the Budget counter, as all rental services are consolidated in the off-site Rental Car Center (RCC). The airline you arrive on does not affect your access or the time it takes to get there. All four terminals at FLL are served by the same efficient shuttle bus system that continuously loops between the terminals and the RCC.

After clearing immigration and customs with your luggage, you will exit into the public arrivals area of the terminal. From there, the process is the same as for domestic arrivals. Look for overhead signs directing you to Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Center shuttles. These shuttle stops are located outside on the arrivals level, and they will take you directly to the building where the Budget counter is.

The most common point of confusion for first-time visitors is the assumption that the rental counters are in the baggage claim area. Many travelers search for the counter inside the terminal without realizing they must first exit the building and take a shuttle. The key is to immediately look for the signs pointing to the Rental Car Center shuttle bus stop as soon as you have your bags.

A practical meeting spot is at the baggage claim carousel of the last person scheduled to arrive. This ensures everyone has their luggage before you proceed together. Alternatively, you could meet at a pre-security coffee shop or seating area in that person's arrival terminal. Once your entire group is assembled, you can head to the shuttle stop for the Rental Car Center as one party.

The smoothest approach is to use a luggage cart, which you can get in the baggage claim area. Load all your bags and the folded stroller onto the cart to make the walk to the shuttle stop easier. The Rental Car Center shuttles are low-floor buses designed to accommodate luggage and strollers, so you can roll the cart right up to the door for easy loading.

The FLL Rental Car Center is typically open 24 hours, so late-night pickups are standard. To get out efficiently, it's wise to program your destination into your phone's navigation app while you are still at the counter or in the car. The airport road system can be less intuitive in the dark, so having GPS guidance ready from the moment you exit the garage will prevent wrong turns.

During peak travel times, it's realistic to budget between 60 and 90 minutes from the moment your plane lands to when you're driving away. This accounts for deplaning, walking to baggage claim, waiting for your luggage, and taking the shuttle to the Rental Car Center. The final step at the rental counter can also have a queue during busy periods, so this buffer is advisable.

The most straightforward route is to exit the airport and follow signs for US-1 North (Federal Highway). Continue on US-1 for a few miles, then turn right onto SE 17th Street, which becomes the A1A causeway. To avoid issues, stay in the middle or right lanes on US-1 as you approach the turn for SE 17th Street, as the left lanes often lead to different interchanges.

A simple route is to take US-1 North from the airport toward downtown Fort Lauderdale. The most common mistake occurs when trying to turn onto Las Olas Boulevard from US-1. It's best to use a GPS, as you will likely need to turn right onto SE 8th Street and then make a quick left to get onto Las Olas properly, which can be easy to miss without guidance.

The most reliable artery is US-1 North (Federal Highway), which will take you directly from the airport area into the heart of downtown. To handle the one-way streets near your destination, it is highly recommended to have your hotel's address programmed into a navigation app before you leave the rental facility. The app will provide turn-by-turn directions that account for the one-way grid.

The simplest drive is to take US-1 South from the airport for a few miles. You can then turn left (east) on either Hollywood Boulevard or Sheridan Street to head over the Intracoastal Waterway to the beach. Expect traffic to be heaviest on these eastbound causeways during late afternoons and on weekends, as many people are heading to the beach and Broadwalk.

After leaving the Rental Car Center, head north on US-1 (Federal Highway). Within two to three miles, you will find several large shopping centers on your right that contain major supermarkets, pharmacies, and other stores. Making a stop at one of these plazas is very convenient and keeps you moving in the general direction of Fort Lauderdale's main hotel and beach areas.

The drive is extremely short and well-signed. As you exit the airport area, immediately get into the lane for I-595 East toward Port Everglades. The port has its own dedicated exit. Plan for potential traffic backups right at the port's security entrance, especially on major cruise departure days, so allow an extra 20-30 minutes for this final approach.

For a low-stress experience, drive from the rental facility directly to your cruise terminal's luggage drop-off area at Port Everglades. Unload all passengers and bags with the porters. Then, only the driver should take the rental car back to the FLL return center. From there, the driver can take a short, inexpensive taxi or rideshare back to the cruise terminal to rejoin the group.

During spring break, driving conditions change dramatically. Expect significant traffic congestion, frequent road closures along A1A near the beach, and a high volume of pedestrians and cyclists. Parking becomes extremely scarce and difficult to find. The best strategy is to park your car at your hotel or in a garage away from the main strip and rely on walking, water taxis, or rideshares to get around the busiest areas.

The most effective strategy for parking near Fort Lauderdale Beach Park during popular times is to arrive early in the morning, ideally before 10 AM. If the metered street parking is already full, your best alternative is the Las Olas Beach Garage. It's a large, multi-level structure located just a short walk from the park and offers a reliable option when on-street spots are unavailable.

Visitors typically park in one of the several municipal parking garages located throughout the district. The City Park Garage (also known as the Arts & Science District Garage) is a popular choice as it provides central access to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, museums, and the Riverwalk itself. These garages offer hourly rates and are a secure place to leave your car while you explore on foot.

A highly practical plan is to park your rental car once for the entire day. The large public parking garage at the Galleria Mall is an excellent option, as there is a Water Taxi stop located right behind the mall. Alternatively, you can park in a downtown garage near Las Olas Boulevard and walk to the nearby stop, allowing you to explore the shops before or after your boat tour.

On a busy weekend afternoon, expect slow-moving traffic along A1A and intense competition for parking. Circling the blocks looking for a metered spot is often a frustrating and time-consuming effort. Your most efficient and least stressful option is to head directly for the Las Olas Beach Garage, which is designed to handle high volume and is just steps from the sand.

Adopt a 'park once' strategy for a more enjoyable day. Drive to a central location like downtown and leave your car in a public garage near Las Olas Boulevard. From there, you can explore the shops, galleries, and restaurants on foot. Then, use the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi to travel between the downtown Riverwalk area and the beach, effectively turning the boat into your transportation for the day.

The most direct route is I-95 South. To minimize traffic, plan your travel outside of peak commuter hours, which are typically 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM on weekdays. Leaving Fort Lauderdale after the morning rush and heading back before the afternoon rush begins is the best way to ensure a smoother, faster drive.

The simplest route is to take I-95 South to exit 4, which connects to I-195 East (the Julia Tuttle Causeway) and leads directly into Miami Beach. While the highway portion is straightforward, the most stressful part is typically navigating the final few miles. Once you are in South Beach, you'll encounter heavy traffic, numerous one-way streets, and a high volume of pedestrians, which requires heightened attention.

To avoid the worst northbound congestion, plan to leave Fort Lauderdale either before 7:00 AM or after 9:30 AM on a weekday. The drive up I-95 North is generally clear in the middle of the day. For your return trip, aim to leave Palm Beach before 3:30 PM to get ahead of the southbound evening rush hour traffic that builds up around Fort Lauderdale.

A successful day trip to Key Largo requires a very early start. Plan to be on the road leaving Fort Lauderdale no later than 7:00 AM to get ahead of traffic and maximize your time in the Keys. To avoid a late and tiring drive back, you should plan to depart from Key Largo by 3:00 PM at the latest, which helps you miss the worst of the evening traffic returning to the Miami-Dade area.

The drive is straightforward on the Florida Turnpike until you reach Florida City, which is the last place with abundant and familiar options for gas, food, and supplies. Once you are on the Overseas Highway (US-1) into the Keys, the road narrows, speed limits decrease, and passing opportunities are limited. Expect the pace to slow down considerably, and plan your stops in larger towns like Key Largo or Islamorada.

A realistic plan is to visit the Shark Valley entrance of Everglades National Park. From Fort Lauderdale, it's an easy drive west on I-595 to I-75, then south to US-41 (Tamiami Trail). Plan to leave early to arrive when the park opens, take the two-hour tram tour or rent bikes, and explore the visitor center. This typically takes about 3-4 hours, allowing you to be back in Fort Lauderdale before late afternoon.

Toll roads like the Florida Turnpike and the express lanes on I-95 can be significant time-savers, especially during rush hour. They offer a more consistent traffic flow compared to the general-purpose lanes. Most rental cars are equipped with a transponder system that manages tolls electronically, making it convenient to use these faster routes without needing to stop or carry cash.

Visitors are often surprised by the high speeds and aggressive lane changes on major highways like I-95. It's also common for drivers to tailgate and use turn signals sparingly, so maintaining a safe following distance is crucial. Additionally, be prepared for sudden, intense rain showers that can drastically reduce visibility with little warning, requiring you to slow down immediately.

When a typical Florida thunderstorm hits, visibility can drop dramatically in seconds. The first and most important step is to reduce your speed significantly and turn on your headlights. Avoid using your hazard lights while moving, as this can be confusing to other drivers. If the rain becomes too intense to see safely, it is best to pull completely off the road into a parking lot and wait for the worst of the storm to pass.

When you arrive, pull into the hotel's main entrance and let the staff know you are checking in. They will help you unload your luggage onto a cart before you hand the car keys to the valet. Be sure to take any personal items or valuables you'll need right away, like phones or wallets, with you. Remember to factor in a 10-15 minute wait time for the valet to retrieve your car whenever you plan to go out.

A compact or mid-size SUV often strikes the perfect balance for a Fort Lauderdale trip. This vehicle class provides ample cargo space for beach chairs, coolers, and luggage without being too large to maneuver comfortably. Its slightly higher ground clearance is helpful, but its manageable footprint makes navigating the narrow ramps and tight corners of hotel and public parking garages much less stressful than a full-size vehicle.

When packing bulky beach gear, focus on the shape and accessibility of the cargo space, not just its listed volume. An SUV or a hatchback with a tall, wide opening is often more practical than a sedan's deep trunk for loading awkward items like coolers and folded chairs. Also, consider a vehicle with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which offers flexibility if you need extra length for a beach umbrella while still carrying a passenger in the back.

You will find several convenient gas stations on US-1 (Federal Highway), located just north of the main airport entrance. These stations are situated on the southbound side of the road, making it very easy to pull in, refuel, and then make a simple turn back into the airport complex. Their proximity to the Rental Car Center allows you to refuel just minutes before you drop off your vehicle.

As you approach the airport, pay close attention to the overhead signs and deliberately ignore the signs for 'Arrivals' and 'Departures.' Instead, look specifically for the signs that say 'Rental Car Return.' Following this dedicated signage will guide you onto a separate roadway that leads directly to the entrance of the Rental Car Center garage, completely bypassing the passenger terminal loops.

For an early-morning flight, a stress-free timeline is to arrive at the Rental Car Return garage three hours before your scheduled departure. This allocates approximately 30 minutes for the car return process, unloading your bags, and taking the shuttle to your terminal. This leaves you with a comfortable 2.5 hours to check in with your airline, get through security, and walk to your gate.

The most efficient sequence is to first follow the signs for 'Departures' and pull up to the curb corresponding to your airline. Drop off all passengers and their luggage there. After they are safely on the curb, simply get back on the main airport road and complete one loop, but this time follow the signs for 'Rental Car Return' to proceed directly to the drop-off facility.

If you miss the entrance, the most important thing is not to panic or attempt an unsafe turn. The airport road system is designed as a continuous loop. Simply continue driving and follow the signs as if you were heading back to the terminals. This loop will naturally bring you back around to the point where you can see and follow the 'Rental Car Return' signs on your second approach.

Dania Pointe is an ideal stop if you have extra time. It is a large, modern outdoor shopping and dining center located just a five-minute drive from the FLL Rental Car Center. You can grab a meal, do some last-minute shopping, or just relax before your flight. Its close proximity and straightforward access back to the airport make it a low-risk option for killing an hour or two.