janier

We're headed to Key west over spring break. Would I be ahead timewise to fly into Ft. Lauderedale or to Miami? I've read that it's actually easier and faster to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to the Keys than from Miami to the Keys. Any comments would be appreciated.

patandhank

We flew in and out of Ft. Lauderdale. Arriving was a piece of cake. Leaving was another story. We forgot that Ft. Launderdale is a major cruise ship port and we left on a weekend right along with all the cruisers who docked. Because Ft. Lauderdale is a smaller airport that Miami, people were sitting on floors - restaurants (what few there are) were jammed pack. Check the actual days of the week you are flying in and out.

As for the drive itself, I didn't think it was any faster.

GoTravel

There really isn't that much distance between the airports, ten miles tops, that will make FLL a longer trip by car to Key West.

FLL is usually a lot cheaper.

ccolor

Ft. Lauderdale is typically cheaper, but we have found that the difference between the two airports is almost 45 minutes. The airport in Ft. Lauderdale is north of the city, and Miami's airport is south of Miami. We have made the trip up from the Keys regularly for the past 10 years and try our best to fly in and out of Miami whenever possible.

milemarker0

Ft. Lauderdale....especially if you are renting car. (The major rental agencies are in a rental complex right at the airport..i.e. no shuttle busses)

Though slightly longer by distance, the traffic potential and ease to highway access make it practically a wash.....and as GoTravel said...flights are usually cheaper.

NeoPatrick

I agree that FLL is far easier and will put you ahead timewise, especially with a car rental. We've stood at the Miami airport waiting for a car rental bus longer than the trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami would take! Ft. Lauderdale's new car rental system has the agencies in a big garage adjacent to the terminal. It's a piece of cake.
Also if you're checking luggage, be sure to pack a lunch to while away the time while you're waiting to retrieve the luggage at Miami.

By the way, if you fly into Ft. Lauderdale and it's any time that is likely to be a lot of traffic (that's any time other than 2 to 5 AM), I'd head west to the turnpike and then south towards the keys and avoid I-95 down through Miami.

tricia1966

If you choose Miami Airport, be sure to use www.RandMcNally's directions and put in starting point at Mia International Airport to whereever you are heading in the Keys. The directions on how to simply exit that place were extremely useful since the construction in and around that place were thoroughtly confusing.

Winkz40

Traveling into FLL is usually less expensive than MIA. Albeit, you'll be further north and battling traffic. Depending on your arrival time, that 10 mile commute (appx. distance from MIA to FLL) could take anywhere from 25 minutes to an hour.

No matter which airport, I would try to avoid the height of rush hour: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

I don't know who would state that driving from FLL would be faster to the Key West than from MIA since you are further north and east from the Florida's Turnpike.

That being said, FLL is definately a less complicated airport than MIA. You should heed everyone's advise by heading west towards the turnpike instead of southbound on I-95.

If you're on a time crunch, I would say travel via MIA --if you have time to spare, then try FLL.

From MIA to Key West via the Florida's Turnpike and then US1 (which is the quickest route) you are looking at a 3 to 4 hour drive. Tag on an extra 30 minutes (average) if traveling from FLL on your inbound flight and 45 minutes to an hour on your return.

Regardless of which airport you choose, I'd suggest renting a convertible! It's my favorite way of driving through the Keys! (Oh, and you'll need LOTS of sunscreen!)


;-)

NeoPatrick

winkz, some of us are saying that FLL is quicker because you won't lose so much time getting a rental car and waiting for your luggage. Those two things alone could easily add an hour or two to the total time to get going, based on my many experiences there -- more than the extra time it takes to get from Ft. Lauderdale. (It almost always takes at least an hour to get my luggage in Miami and one time was OVER 2 hours). I've also sat in traffic from Miami airport getting to the turnpike for up to 45 minutes or an hour to go that distance -- what- maybe 5 miles or so? Exiting Ft. Lauderdale and heading to the turnpike is FAR less likely to be stopped traffic than it is from Miami.

Those are issues you aren't addressing.

But I'll agree on one thing, there's nothing better than a convertible heading down through the keys. I think Budget is the big renter of convertibles without gouging you for them in Florida.

Winkz40

Just giving my two cents...

As stated before, FLL is far less complicated than MIA. Having the car rental garage so close is better than grabbing a shuttle anyday!

Can't say that I've have too many bad experiences at MIA. The only time it has taken me over an hour and a half is when I've traveled internationally.

NeoPatrick

You've been very lucky then, Winkz.

Karina123

i always try to fly into FLL. MIA is one of the worst airports I've been in.

LarryBee

Well, I've been "lucky" then too. I fly out of FLL for personal trips 3-4 times per year (cheaper) but MIA 4-5 times per year on business, and if anything my experience is that actually takes longer to get luggage at FLL than MIA. Can't comment as to rental cars as S. Florida is home so I am never renting a car. That being said, we are quibbling about 30 minutes to an hour off of a 4 hour trip; in reality you will probably be able to get a much better price on airfare at one of the airports. So I would base the decision on price, and if it costs you an extra half hour in time, cheer yourself up by buying extra frozen drinks with the money you saved.

hdm

milemarker --

Just a correction: it's true all the major car rental companies are in one building but you do have to take a shuttle bus to get there from the terminal. We just came back last week.

milemarker0

It's connected with Terminal 1 with a Pedestrian Bridge....I see that there is a shuttle bus from the other terminals.....I guess I've never had to use the other terminals....

hdm

I don't remember what terminal we came in. It was no big deal though -- just a two-minute drive on a regular-size bus rather than one of those little shuttle buses.

dmc555

The time differential is practically immaterial, and alot depends on the time of day and day of the week. I'd choose based on flight departure/arrival times and price.

GBC

Each year we fly to the area, rent a car and then drive to the keys. Only used Miami once. Too busy and too congested for us. We prefer Fort Lauderdale but have also used West Palm Beach. We think Lauderdale is easiest and fastest. As noted above, drive south on the Florida Turnpike, avoiding Interestate 95. Generally, traffic moves much better on the turnpike.

If you're doing this on Feb 3, maybe I'll see you. Have a great trip.