Fort Lauderdale Airport to PortMiami: Cruise Ride Prices
About This Route
Plenty of Miami cruisers fly into Fort Lauderdale because the airfare is cheaper, then face a 26-mile ride south on I-95 and out to the cruise terminals on Dodge Island. UberX usually lands around $64-$87 for the whole car, which is right in line with the $86 taxi estimate FLL publishes, so the real decision is about luggage and timing more than the fare. Four people with cruise suitcases rarely fit in a standard UberX, and an XL runs more like $103-$139.
Surge Pricing Alert
Weekend mornings are the problem. Several ships turn around at PortMiami on Saturdays and Sundays, so thousands of passengers are landing at FLL and heading to the port at the same time, and a surged UberX can reach about $173. Holiday and spring break sailings make it worse.
Travel Tips
- 01Put your actual cruise terminal in the app, not just "PortMiami." The terminals are spread along the island and drivers drop off at each one separately.
- 02At FLL, rideshare pickup for Terminals 3 and 4 is on the first floor of the Palm Garage, south side (zones A-D). Terminal 1 uses Zone Z just past the taxi podium.
- 03Flying in on sailing day is tight. Carnival only sells its FLL transfer for flights landing by 11:30 AM, which tells you how much buffer the cruise lines want.
- 04For the trip home, book a flight after 1 PM. Getting off the ship and back up I-95 eats most of the morning, and Carnival's transfers won't take earlier flights.
- Travel time
- 35-60 minutes
- Best time to travel
- Mid to late morning, once the southbound I-95 rush into Miami has cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Uber from Fort Lauderdale airport to the Miami cruise port?
UberX from FLL to PortMiami typically costs $64-$87, and Lyft runs about $61-$83. With cruise luggage for four people, plan on an UberXL at around $103-$139. During weekend turnaround surges, UberX can reach about $173.
Is a taxi cheaper than Uber from FLL to PortMiami?
FLL lists an estimated taxi fare of $86 to the Port of Miami, which is the top of the normal UberX range. So a taxi usually costs the same or a bit more, but it doesn't surge, which can make it the cheaper ride on a busy weekend morning.
What time should my flight land for a same-day Miami cruise?
Earlier than you'd think. Carnival only sells its FLL-to-PortMiami transfer for flights landing by 11:30 AM, and the drive alone is about 40 minutes without traffic. If you can't land by late morning, fly in the day before.