Transportation

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers an extensive transportation network that includes Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, two major railways, highways, a mass transit system, water taxis, and city trolleys.

Port Everglades

Long recognized as the world’s second busiest cruise port, Port Everglades has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s premier cargo ports. Now ranked as the nation’s twelfth leading container port, Port Everglades is the perfect hub and point of entry for companies that conduct business in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and now, even the Far East.

The port is part of a thriving global transportation network that counts among its attributes:

• A favorable location less that one mile from the Atlantic Shipping Lane
• Direct access to multi-modal inland links through Florida’s interstate and highway systems
• An FEC rail hub within two miles
• A thriving international airport (FLL) within one mile
• The Port’s location makes it extremely attractive for imports and exports – more than $17 billion annually

Serving more than 150 ports and 70 countries, Port Everglades is the nation’s deepest commercial port south of Norfolk, Virginia. The Port infuses more than $2.9 billion into the region’s economy and provides more than 29,724 jobs through cruise travel and international trade activity.

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

Over 741 international and domestic flights arrive and depart daily at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL). It is one of the nation’s fastest growing airports, with over 21 million travelers passing through the airport last year. FLL is one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s economic engines, contributing over $2.6 billion to the local economy and generating 44,000 jobs.

The airport is conveniently located three miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale with easy access to I-95, I-595 and Port Everglades.

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

Owned and operated by the City, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) is one of the nation’s largest and busiest general aviation airports. Executive Airport generates more than $6.5 million in annual revenue, with an estimated economic impact of $330 million. The airport serves a wide range of general aviation needs, including corporate aviation, air charter, air ambulance services, avionics, flight training, and aircraft refurbishing.

The airport is home to six full-service, fixed-base operators and more than 700 aircraft. The facility handles more than 250,000 takeoffs and landings per year.

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport features a 200-acre Industrial Airpark, which offers 1.5 million square feet of prime office, warehouse, and manufacturing space. Executive Airport serves as the hub site for the City’s Foreign-Trade Zone #241.

There are over 40 helicopters based at Executive Airport, the largest number based at any airport in the southeastern United States. Executive Airport also manages the downtown Helistop, providing citizens with efficient transportation options.

Fort Lauderdale Downtown Helistop

The Fort Lauderdale Downtown Helistop is designed to accommodate intermediate category general aviation helicopters with a maximum takeoff weight of 11,900 pounds and a 46-foot rotor diameter used by today’s corporate and charter operators. The state-of-the-art facility is situated above the Central Park Mall Parking Garage in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s dynamic downtown.

The helistop features a landing area and one helicopter parking position on a 14,500 square-foot elevated platform. A fully-furnished lobby provides travelers with a comfortable area to converse and conduct short business, access to plentiful parking, and convenient ground transportation. The new Helistop is an outstanding example of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s progressive approach to downtown revitalization and its commitment to providing citizens with efficient transportation options.

Surface Transportation

A comprehensive highway system connects the Florida Turnpike, federal highways, and state roads. The road system in Broward County totals approximately 4,800 miles and includes more than 140 miles of interstate and other expressways (I-95, I-75, I-595, Florida Turnpike and Sawgrass Expressway) and approximately 375 miles of divided highways.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is served by three bus lines, two railroads (Florida East Coast Railway and CSX Corporation), and major freight carriers. The county-operated bus system includes an active fleet of 275 transit vehicles that serve almost 40 million passengers.

Tri-Rail, a commuter rail system, provides service along a 72-mile corridor from Miami-Dade County to Palm Beach County. Connecting buses are available at all stations, with designated shuttles at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Miami.

Connecting buses are available at all stations, with designated shuttles at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Miami International Airport and Palm Tran connections to the Palm Beach International Airport.

The Amtrak Silver Service links greater Fort Lauderdale to the rest of the nation, including daily trips to New York.

Water Taxi

Fort Lauderdale features a unique Water Taxi system, which transports daily passengers to and from the downtown area via the City’s New River and network of inland waterways.

In 2007, the City approved plans for dock-to-dock service offered by Russo’s River Taxi Company. Residents and tourists will be able to hail a water cab or request to be picked up along the New River within 15 minutes after calling for service.