Miami to Fort Lauderdale: Brightline, Tri-Rail, the bus or I-95
The ways from Miami to Fort Lauderdale compared: Brightline from downtown, Tri-Rail from the airport, Greyhound, and I-95 with or without express lanes.
Resumo
- Distance: About 21 miles, per Greyhound.
- Fastest from downtown: Brightline, MiamiCentral to Fort Lauderdale station.
- Cheapest train: Tri-Rail, $3 to $10 one way by zone, $5 all day on weekends.
- Bus: Greyhound, 17 a day, from $8.48, about 35 minutes at best.
- Driving: I-95; the express lanes need a SunPass, no cash or plate billing.
Take Brightline from downtown Miami, Tri-Rail from the airport or on a cheap weekend, and drive I-95 only outside rush hour or with a SunPass for the express lanes.
Não vá se
Brightline: downtown to downtown
Brightline runs from MiamiCentral, 600 NW 1st Ave in downtown Miami, to its Fort Lauderdale station at 101 NW 2nd Avenue, with a stop in Aventura on the way. It is the most comfortable option and the only one that runs city center to city center.
Prices for this short hop vary by train and day; Brightline does not publish a standard fare, so check the app. Until October 31, 2026, a weekend offer sells South Florida SMART trips for $15 one way on eligible Friday, Saturday and Sunday trains, booked at least two hours ahead, for travel through November 1, 2026.
Fort Lauderdale station has a gateless 24-hour garage; add parking when you book or pay by scanning the QR code on the signs. Brightline's shuttle to Fort Lauderdale airport costs $12 plus a $3 fuel surcharge with a same-day train ticket, 8 am to 7 pm.
Tri-Rail fares from October 1, 2026
| Zones traveled | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| 2 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| 3 | $6.00 | $12.00 |
| 4 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
| 5 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| 6 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| Weekend or holiday day pass, any stations | $5.00 | Unlimited that day |
Tri-Rail raised fares 10% on October 1, 2026. The ticket machine works out your zones. Children under 5 ride free; ages 5 to 12 get a discount fare with a registered EASY Card. Tickets are not sold on board, and riding without one carries a $55 fine.
SFRTA Tariff Policy, October 2026, and fare notice (tri-rail.com), checked October 2026
Tri-Rail: the airport-to-airport train
Tri-Rail is the commuter train between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Its Miami Airport station connects to MIA, and in Broward it stops at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport at Dania Beach, where Tri-Rail riders get a free shuttle to the terminals, and at Fort Lauderdale station.
On Tri-Rail's weekday timetable, a train from Miami Airport reaches Fort Lauderdale in about 48 minutes. There are about 25 trains each way on weekdays, roughly every 30 minutes at peak times and about hourly in the middle of the day; check the weekend timetable separately.
From MiamiCentral downtown, most Tri-Rail trips need a change at Metrorail Transfer station. Bags are limited to three standard pieces you can carry on in one trip.
The bus and the drive
Greyhound lists 17 departures a day from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, the first at 5:15 am and the last at 11:25 pm, from $8.48 and about 35 minutes at best. It leaves from the Miami Intermodal Center, Golden Glades and Miami Beach, and stops at Fort Lauderdale airport and the Broward park and ride.
By car it is I-95 north, about 21 miles. The 95 Express lanes use tolls that rise as traffic builds, shown on signs before each entrance. You need an active SunPass or compatible transponder: the express lanes take no cash and no TOLL-BY-PLATE, and a driver without one owes the toll plus $25 for each 24-hour period.
Perguntas frequentes
How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?
About 21 miles, according to Greyhound's route page.
What is the best way from Miami to Fort Lauderdale?
Brightline from downtown Miami to downtown Fort Lauderdale. From Miami airport, Tri-Rail is simpler: about 48 minutes to Fort Lauderdale station.
How much is Tri-Rail from Miami to Fort Lauderdale?
Between $3 and $10 one way depending on the zones you cross, since the October 1, 2026 fares, or $5 for unlimited rides on weekends and holidays.
Is there a train from Miami airport to Fort Lauderdale airport?
Yes, Tri-Rail runs from Miami Airport station to the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood airport station at Dania Beach, with a free shuttle to the terminals.
Do I need a SunPass for I-95?
Only for the 95 Express lanes, which take no cash or TOLL-BY-PLATE.
Mais guias
Tri-Rail in Miami: the airport station, the Miami-Dade stops, tickets and the October 2026 faresTri rail · Transit · 4 min de leitura
Train from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach: Brightline or Tri-RailDowntown · Brightline · Tri rail · 4 min de leituraFort Lauderdale airport to Miami Beach, downtown Miami or MIA: train, shuttle, taxi or ride appAirport · Transit · 5 min de leituraBrightline stations, weekend offer, garage and shuttle from gobrightline.com (text via search); Tri-Rail fares, discounts, luggage and FLL shuttle from the SFRTA Tariff Policy, October 2026, and timetable and notices from tri-rail.com; bus details from greyhound.com; express lanes from 95express.com; all checked October 2026.