What is the cheapest way from Fort Lauderdale Airport to downtown?

BCT Route 1 bus, a flat $2.00 one-way, about 40 minutes via the free Rental Car Center shuttle to the bus-way. A taxi or rideshare is around $20–30 for the same trip.

Where do I catch the bus at FLL?

Route 1 stops at the Rental Car Center bus-way (Stop 7), not the terminal curb. Reach it on the free RCC shuttle that runs every ~10 minutes, 24/7, from lower-level arrivals.

How do I pay for the BCT bus?

It's a flat $2.00 one-way. Pay with exact cash (drivers give no change) or contactless in the RideBCT app using Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Is Tri-Rail or Brightline cheaper?

The free airport shuttle plus Tri-Rail to the Fort Lauderdale station is $3.75 — more than the $2 bus but a faster train. Brightline is pricier and mainly connects other cities like Miami, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

How long does it take from FLL to downtown?

About 40 minutes door-to-centre, including the free Rental Car Center shuttle and the Route 1 ride north along Federal Highway (US-1) to Broward Central Terminal.

What is the best way from FLL to downtown Fort Lauderdale?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: BCT Route 1 to Broward Central Terminal in the city centre, a flat $2.00 and about 40 minutes including the free Rental Car Center shuttle.

How much is a taxi from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Airport to the city?

A taxi or rideshare runs about $20–30 to downtown — ten times or more the flat $2.00 BCT Route 1 bus for the same trip.

How do you get from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to downtown Fort Lauderdale — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Airport (FLL) to downtown Fort Lauderdale is Broward County Transit (BCT) Route 1: take the free Rental Car Center shuttle to the bus-way, then ride Route 1 north to Broward Central Terminal in central Fort Lauderdale for a flat $2.00, about 40 minutes door-to-centre. Bring exact cash (drivers give no change) or pay contactless in the RideBCT app. Don't grab a taxi or rideshare, which costs about $20–30 for the same trip; the free airport shuttle plus a $3.75 Tri-Rail ticket is a faster rail alternative, while Brightline is pricey and mainly serves other cities.

How to find it

AIRPORTFort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
01From lower-level arrivals (baggage claim), follow the 'Rental Car Center / RCC' signs to the free shuttle pickup and ride the free RCC shuttle — it runs every 10 minutes, 24/7 — a few minutes to the Rental Car Center.
02At the Rental Car Center, go to the bus-way and find the BCT Route 1 stop (Stop 7). Buses run roughly every 30 minutes from about 5:00 to late evening.
03Board Route 1 heading north toward Central Terminal / downtown. Pay the flat $2.00 fare — exact cash (no change given) or tap in the RideBCT app.
04Ride north along Federal Highway (US-1) about 30–35 minutes to Broward Central Terminal at 101 NW 1st Avenue and Broward Blvd, in downtown Fort Lauderdale, where local buses connect onward.
CITY CENTREFort Lauderdale

Ticket

BCT Route 1 one-way fare to Broward Central Terminal (downtown Fort Lauderdale)

Where to buy: Pay onboard when you board Route 1 at the Rental Car Center bus-way (Stop 7), or set up payment in advance in the RideBCT app.

How to pay: Flat $2.00 one-way: exact cash only (drivers give no change) or contactless in the RideBCT app with Apple Pay or Google Pay. Transfers are not included.

Local's trick: Route 1 doesn't stop at the terminal curb — first take the free 24/7 Rental Car Center shuttle (every ~10 min) to reach the bus-way. The $2 fare is flat to anywhere on the line, but drivers give no change, so bring exact bills/coins or pay in the RideBCT app.

Trap to avoid: Skip the taxi or rideshare, which runs about $20–30 to downtown for a trip the $2 bus does. Brightline's fast trains exist but are pricey and mainly link other cities (Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando), not a cheap airport-to-downtown hop.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	$2.00	40 min	BCT Route 1 one-way fare to Broward Central Terminal (downtown Fort Lauderdale)
Train	$3.75	40 min	Tri-Rail one-way ticket, FLL Airport station to Fort Lauderdale (2 zones)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Fort Lauderdale Airport to downtown?: BCT Route 1 bus, a flat $2.00 one-way, about 40 minutes via the free Rental Car Center shuttle to the bus-way. A taxi or rideshare is around $20–30 for the same trip.
Where do I catch the bus at FLL?: Route 1 stops at the Rental Car Center bus-way (Stop 7), not the terminal curb. Reach it on the free RCC shuttle that runs every ~10 minutes, 24/7, from lower-level arrivals.
How do I pay for the BCT bus?: It's a flat $2.00 one-way. Pay with exact cash (drivers give no change) or contactless in the RideBCT app using Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Is Tri-Rail or Brightline cheaper?: The free airport shuttle plus Tri-Rail to the Fort Lauderdale station is $3.75 — more than the $2 bus but a faster train. Brightline is pricier and mainly connects other cities like Miami, West Palm Beach and Orlando.
How long does it take from FLL to downtown?: About 40 minutes door-to-centre, including the free Rental Car Center shuttle and the Route 1 ride north along Federal Highway (US-1) to Broward Central Terminal.
What is the best way from FLL to downtown Fort Lauderdale?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: BCT Route 1 to Broward Central Terminal in the city centre, a flat $2.00 and about 40 minutes including the free Rental Car Center shuttle.
How much is a taxi from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Airport to the city?: A taxi or rideshare runs about $20–30 to downtown — ten times or more the flat $2.00 BCT Route 1 bus for the same trip.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.