Car Rental at Fort Lauderdale Airport
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, also known as simply Fort Lauderdale Airport, is a major public airport in Florida serving the areas of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton in Broward County. It also acts as a secondary airport for the Miami metropolitan area, primarily served by Miami International Airport (MIA). Fort-Lauderdale Airport is located around 3 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami. It connects southeastern Florida with over 135 domestic and international destinations, and functions as a base for Allegiant Air, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines. The most popular domestic and international destinations from Fort Lauderdale are Atlanta, Georgia and Nassau, The Bahamas, respectively.
Many first-time and repeat visitors to Fort Lauderdale opt to rent a car at the airport for a smooth and stress-free trip. There are different ways to reach the Rental Car Center. If you’re arriving at Terminal 1, follow the signage to the Concourse B pedestrian bridge, which is located next to the security checkpoint. If you’re arriving at Terminals 2, 3, or 4, head to the passenger pick-up area and hop on a free shuttle bus departing from the curb outside of the baggage claim level to reach the Rental Car Center. The car rental agencies housed at the Center are Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty. Pre-booking your vehicle is highly recommended, and you can do so with our trusted partners Enjoy Travel.
Downtown Car Rental at Fort Lauderdale
Forgot to rent a car at Fort Lauderdale airport? The city has various car rental outlets, so you can stop by in person once you arrive. If you are planning on visiting Fort Lauderdale for a few days, consider renting a budget-friendly economy car like a Mitsubishi Mirage to save on fuel. Alternatively, if you are traveling with a group of friends or family, a midsize SUV like a Honda Pilot or Toyota RAV4 ensures extra space and comfort. Although the various car rental agencies are spread all over the city, you will find most of their branches on SE 6th Avenue and S Andrews Avenue.
Driving in Fort Lauderdale
The city's rush hour extends from 6 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. Friday evenings and weekends are usually extra busy. Take extra care when joining or leaving the interstate expressways.
Keep a note of the following while driving through Fort Lauderdale:
● The speed limit in Florida is 70 mph on interstates freeways, 65 mph on four-lane divided highways outside of urban areas, 60 mph on other state highways, and 30 mph in residential areas.
● The use of cellular devices is completely prohibited. You can use hands-free devices.
● There are several interstate toll booths in Florida, including on Alligator Alley, Bee Line Expressway, and at the Florida Turnpike. Some accept cash (exact change only!) while others only accept SunPass, so make sure you obtain it in advance.
● It is illegal to drive in Florida if passengers under 18 are not wearing their seatbelts, even if they are sitting in the back.
● You can dial 511 in Florida to get current traffic conditions across the state and get access to traffic cameras.
Fort Lauderdale has a lot of free and paid street parking spots available. The parking fee often depends on which zone you are in; there are three in total. You can use the PayByPhone app to find the nearest parking spot to you.
Car Rental Agencies in Fort Lauderdale
Numerous car rental companies serve Fort Lauderdale, including Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty, and National, among others. You can rent your vehicle from the airport car rental facility, or simply pop into any car rental company office in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The most frequently rented cars include standard economy vehicles like Chevrolet Spark and large SUVs like Ford Escape. If you want the best deals and discounts (and who doesn’t?), pre-book your vehicle with our partners, Enjoy Travel, before you arrive in Fort Lauderdale.
Top Road Trips from Fort Lauderdale
Miami beach is universally recognized as one of the most iconic beaches in Florida and is a very worthy day trip from Fort Lauderdale. It boasts miles and miles of pristine white sands, luxurious hotels overlooking Biscayne Bay and a vibrant promenade filled with hip bars and restaurants. Don’t be surprised if you run into a celebrity or two, as Miami Beach attracts well-heeled crowds from all over the country looking for a good time.
Nature-lovers would love The Everglades, a luscious medley of wilderness, mangroves, wetlands, tropical jungles, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods, among others. The 1.5-million-acre wetlands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Florida. You can traverse through alligator country, go birdwatching, witness the endangered leatherback turtle, or take an airboat ride down the river.
Take a 3-hour drive down south on the Florida Turnpike to reach Orlando, also fondly known as ‘The City Beautiful.’ Home to more than a dozen theme parks - including the uber-famous Universal Studios and Disney World - Orlando is choc-a-bloc with entertainment options.
FAQS about car rental in Fort Lauderdale
Q: Cost of renting a car at the Fort Lauderdale airport?
A: The average cost per day of renting a car in Fort Lauderdale is just $38 USD per day.
Q: What’s the cheapest car rental in Ft Lauderdale?
A: Prices for Fort Lauderdale car rentals start from just $11 USD per day when booking in advance with our partners Enjoy Travel.
Q: What’s the minimum age to rent a car in Fort Lauderdale?
A: To rent a car in Fort Lauderdale you must be at least 21.
Q: Can I have additional drivers on the rental agreement in Fort Lauderdale?
A: Additional drivers can be added to your Fort Lauderdale car rental agreement upon request.
Q: What’s the best car for getting around Fort Lauderdale?
A: We recommend opting for a compact vehicle such as a Nissan Sentra while in Fort Lauderdale because of its ease to drive and park.