I’ve lived in Miami for many years, and I recently wrote about how Miami International Airport (MIA) is kind of awful (to acknowledge the obvious). However, I still go out of my way to fly out of there rather than Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), so I wanted to talk about that in a bit more detail in this post.
Admittedly flying out of Fort Lauderdale can often expand options in terms of airlines, fares, etc., but it takes a lot for me to choose to fly out of there. In this post I wanted to share my take on why I take that approach. After all, I know a lot of people traveling to Miami try to decide between the airport options, and wonder if Fort Lauderdale is materially less convenient than Miami.
In this post:
Why I prefer flying out of Miami over Fort Lauderdale
I have a strong preference for flying out of Miami rather than Fort Lauderdale. It’s not that I’m unwilling to fly to or from Fort Lauderdale, but rather there has to be a compelling reason for me to choose to fly out of FLL over MIA. Why? Let me explain…
Miami is so much more convenient
I live 10 minutes from MIA without traffic (and I usually fly early in the morning, when there’s no traffic). Otherwise, never in my life have I lived less than 30 minutes from an airport, and I can’t even begin to say how convenient that is. It’s one part of my travel journey that causes zero stress.
I can leave for the airport an hour before departure, and still get to my gate before boarding starts. If I’m picking up Ford from the airport, I usually leave home a few minutes after he touches down to pick him up, and then it’s timed perfectly.
Living so close to a major global airport truly is one of my favorite things about living in Miami, and for that matter, is one of my favorite aspects of the airport. From where I live, it’s an extra 20 miles to get to Fort Lauderdale, and that’s quite a difference in terms of convenience factor.
For example, as I write this post, my phone says it would be 10 minutes to MIA, while it would take 34 minutes to get to FLL. During busier traffic periods, that difference can be significantly bigger.
Admittedly not everyone lives in the same area, and some people live to the north of Miami, where FLL may even be equally convenient. But if you live in the south of Miami, or in Brickell, Downtown, Midtown, etc., there’s a huge convenience factor.
Driving to Fort Lauderdale scares the heck out of me
One thing I don’t love about Miami (and Fort Lauderdale, and the entire area) is the drivers. I’m convinced this region has the worst drivers of anywhere in the world I’ve ever been.
Here’s the thing — I can totally adapt to just about any driving style, but the problem with South Florida is the variety of drivers. It’s like combining the driving style of The Villages with the driving style of Bogota or Caracas. It’s just awful.
In particular, I-95 between Miami and Fort Lauderdale has to be one of the least pleasant stretches of highway out there. The drivers are horrendous, there’s not proper separation between lanes, and more often than not I feel grateful to get off the highway alive.
It’s rare I don’t see a major accident or a major appliance falling out of someone’s pick-up truck on this stretch of highway. Honestly, driving to Fort Lauderdale gives me anxiety, and I’m so much more at ease if I can avoid it.
Lastly, there’s no practical public transportation alternative. I adore the Brightline, but that would require first getting to the Brightline station in Miami, and then getting from the Brightline station in Fort Lauderdale to the airport. The entire process probably triples travel time.
American has a great network out of Miami
While I’m hardly a cheerleader for American, there’s no denying that American has a solid network out of Miami, whether you’re looking to fly domestically, to Latin America, etc. The airline has become pretty operationally reliable, and at least offers high speed Wi-Fi, which are honestly the two things I probably value most.
Furthermore, nowadays I avoid connections whenever possible, so American can get you nonstop just about anywhere. I also appreciate how American operates quite a few wide body jets on domestic flights, which is a great way to get a comfortable ride even on a shorter flight.
Furthermore, unlike some other fortress hubs, pricing out of Miami generally isn’t that crazy, as there’s still a fair bit of competition.
Miami has better lounge options than Fort Lauderdale
Miami’s lounge options are far from great. If you’re departing from Concourse D, there’s the Amex Centurion Lounge, American Admirals Club, American Flagship Lounge, and Turkish Airlines Lounge (well, in Concourse E, but it’s connected airside).
Frankly I barely ever use these lounges, and that’s because when departing from Miami, I can just time my arrival at the airport so that I get there shortly before boarding.
Traffic up to Fort Lauderdale is much less predictable, so I’d have to leave more of a buffer. Unfortunately the lounge situation there isn’t quite as good.
There’s a Delta Sky Club and United Club if flying with those airlines or their partners, but the only accessible lounge when flying American is potentially the Escape Lounge, where there’s often a line to get in. So I do prefer how I can at least pretty reliably access lounges in Miami.
When I’ll consider flying out of Fort Lauderdale
Like I said, it’s not that I’m unwilling to fly out of Fort Lauderdale, but I just strongly prefer Miami. So, under what circumstances will I fly out of Fort Lauderdale? Here are some general considerations:
- I’m more likely to consider flying out of Fort Lauderdale for a very early morning flight or on the weekends, when traffic to get there isn’t as bad
- The savings would need to be substantial (let’s say $100+) for me to consider it, without sacrificing convenience (if an extra connection is required, the difference would need to be greater)
- I mainly consider Fort Lauderdale in situations where there’s award availability from that airport, or where I can secure first class at a reasonable price, but the same isn’t available from Miami
Bottom line
It’s not that I’m unwilling to fly out of Fort Lauderdale, but to me there’s something so nice about being just 10 minutes from a major global airport, where you can hop on a nonstop flight to many destinations. Not only does it take more time to get there (and is more expensive if using ride share), but I-95 also scares the hell out of me.
To other 305ers, where do you stand on this? Under what circumstances do you choose FLL over MIA?
One thing not considered given that you live in Miami is the rental car situation. While the trek to the rental car center at MIA is like a marathon (via the MIA mover), FLL really sucks with packed busses that move at a snail's pace. For that reason alone, I avoid FLL. Super unpleasant.
I know you like random stuff at airports... at some point you should go to the MIA rental car center. No...
One thing not considered given that you live in Miami is the rental car situation. While the trek to the rental car center at MIA is like a marathon (via the MIA mover), FLL really sucks with packed busses that move at a snail's pace. For that reason alone, I avoid FLL. Super unpleasant.
I know you like random stuff at airports... at some point you should go to the MIA rental car center. No matter what time (Day or Night), there are always tons of people there. Like what are they doing? I can understand family members waiting for one member to get a car... or maybe people waiting for off-site shuttles. But I've never seen such a random congregation of people sitting there kind of looking like they have camped out for the hell of it.
While I generally agree with your assessment you neglected to mention that Tri Rail is a great option for both, and certainly bypasses I95
Time to give Florida back to Spain!
Then we could get an Iberia hub at MIA, Vueling can dominate at FLL and TPA, and Renfe (state rail) could take care of the ground transport improvements.
I agree about Florida drivers and especially I-95, but Massachusetts is even worse.
I too prefer the airport I live 10 minutes away from.
I’m pretty equidistant from both MIA and FLL and would rather fly out of FLL any day. Way easier to get in and out of. Amex Escape Lounge has never had a line to get in for me. It isn’t the best lounge by far but I can always depend on it to be available. I only fly out of MIA if I can get a better price or flight time.
MiA is my sentimental favorite. I have lived in Dade County for more than a decade and started flying Pan Am Eastern and then migrated to PMUA out of MIA when PMUA had a significant operation out of MIA in the 90s.
Now I am in South Palm Beach area, FLL is my default airport. No complain about its facility and much better access and exit to highway, but traffic is not much better.
What...
MiA is my sentimental favorite. I have lived in Dade County for more than a decade and started flying Pan Am Eastern and then migrated to PMUA out of MIA when PMUA had a significant operation out of MIA in the 90s.
Now I am in South Palm Beach area, FLL is my default airport. No complain about its facility and much better access and exit to highway, but traffic is not much better.
What I do agree is the horrible highway traffic in South Florida regardless you are in Dade, Broward or Palm Beach county. Flying，lounged, airline options and airport are the major issues for me. Dealing with traffic to/from airports can be a deciding factor which airport to use.
PBI is my least favorite if I need to deal with rental cars.
So you’re saying MIA is closer to you, that’s why you prefer it over FLL?!?
No sh*t Sherlock, since we’re playing the obvious game the sky is blue
I was expecting some in depth pros/cons on the actual airports that made your decision Miami not it’s just 10 min away
95 traffic between Dade/Broward is a rats nest most of the day,
I live in DC and travel frequently to South America on AA. MIA is an excellent stopover because the airport has many shopping and eating options. AA has two Admiral lounges and one Flagship lounge in Concourse D. There are plenty of connecting flights, so you always have other choices if you miss your flight.
agree with all especially the traffic on I 95.
"Admittedly not everyone lives in the same area" I am so glad that you are mature enough to admit this. As someone who lives in Denver, it just makes much more sense for me to fly out of Denver International rather than Miami. Thank you for acknowledging other perspectives here.
This article needs to be seen in the context that some readers posted regarding Ben’s report about the MIA airport a few days ago. Some readers commented that they prefer FLL.
I find them to be quite similar, and generally go by logistics (ie am I going to Ft L or Miami). MIA does have infinitely better transit options, that much is indisputable. FLL does have Trirail, kinda, via a shuttle, but while Trirail is adequate for its designed purpose, it's not great for irregular trips... and MIA also has Trirail. If they ever build that Brightline commuter line, the tracks run in *front* of FLL so that could be a marked improvement.
Fort Lauderdale is the better place to live, by far. The airport is just an added bonus but it's leaps and bounds better than Miami. If you lived equal distance from both your experience would be 30 minutes shorter at FLL. With parking or rental car, security, etc. Every process is faster.
How on earth is FLL better than Miami, traffic aside?
And the town? Fort Lauderdale is a giant suburb full of methed out homeless people and 80 year old gays in tank tops they’re too old to wear
If you’ve convinced yourself life is amazing in Fort Lauderdale, you should really move. You don’t have to be that tragic
How about Aventura?
The crazy driving is everywhere in Florida. Old people 20 below the speed limit. Lost tourists in rented minivans. People from third world countries who’ve never owned a car and think you just put your foot to the floor when driving.
The speed differential is crazy.
Only time I've come close to missing a flight was driving from Jupiter to PBI. I needed to drop off a rental car, so gave my myself way more than enough time (so I thought). What should have been a 20 minute drive took almost 2 hours because there were 3 huge accidents on 95 in that one small stretch that caused total gridlock. I do this drive every year and because of that one...
Only time I've come close to missing a flight was driving from Jupiter to PBI. I needed to drop off a rental car, so gave my myself way more than enough time (so I thought). What should have been a 20 minute drive took almost 2 hours because there were 3 huge accidents on 95 in that one small stretch that caused total gridlock. I do this drive every year and because of that one time I always am nervous about it. Have driven all over the country and internationally, and I totally agree South Florida has the absolute worst drivers.
Yeah, kind of specific to your needs.
For those who don’t live in Miami (MOST of your readers), or are not loyal to American…this post is pointless.
MIA needs a serious reno.
And FLL is much easier to navigate, imo.
We usually fly SWA, and typically get better rates & flight times from FLL, but I do check both airports.
I may be a bit of a lead foot, but nowhere have I seen more reckless weaving in and out of lanes at 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, treating the highway as a slalom, more than Miami.
A few comments on your comments.
“Living so close to a major global airport truly is one of my favorite things about living in Miami,” Well, you can live 10 minutes from the airport anywhere in the world as long as you pick a place that is 10 minutes from the airport so not sure what that has to do with Miami.
“Living so close to a major global airport truly is one of my...
A few comments on your comments.
“Living so close to a major global airport truly is one of my favorite things about living in Miami,” Well, you can live 10 minutes from the airport anywhere in the world as long as you pick a place that is 10 minutes from the airport so not sure what that has to do with Miami.
“Living so close to a major global airport truly is one of my favorite things about living in Miami,” That’s because the worst drivers (in terms of aggressiveness) are from Latin America and you got a full concentration of them all in Miami.
It seems that FLL is not so bad except for the location in relation to the author. I used to live a few minutes from FLL and found it better than MIA.
FLL is bad for indoor airplane spotting because the terminals are not connected.
Not counting location, I like Intercontinental over Hobby, SFO over Oakland, Gatwick over Luton.
Slow content day, eh?
Seriously. It could have been summed up as "Because I live less than 10 minutes from MIA. The end."
I grew up and learned to drive in Miami. I grew up just south of the airport. The Palmetto and US 1 were on my driver's ed route. Now, my friends here in Tennessee say I use too many hand gestures and my horn too much when I drive. My father delivered mail in Hialeah and Overtown for 20 years. He treated I 95 like a slalom course. It was scary to ride with him....
I grew up and learned to drive in Miami. I grew up just south of the airport. The Palmetto and US 1 were on my driver's ed route. Now, my friends here in Tennessee say I use too many hand gestures and my horn too much when I drive. My father delivered mail in Hialeah and Overtown for 20 years. He treated I 95 like a slalom course. It was scary to ride with him.
Now that I am much older, when I am in S Florida, I try to avoid I95 as much as possible. So I would still prefer MIA. Plus, it was part of my childhood. My dad used to take us there to watch the airplanes land in the 70s. Including Air Force One and the Concorde when it made a special flight to MIA.
Try PBI, its so enjoyable and you can show up to the airport 15 min before boarding and make it to the gate before they start.
+1 to this; I live between FLL and PBI and always opt for PBI if it’s a nonstop or the same amount of connections. Would be interested in a PBI review from Ben. Perhaps one of the Breeze flights?
There isn't really anything to "review" at PBI other than a delta Skyclub. It's a pretty no-frills little airport, but it's super convenient if you're north of Fort Lauderdale. I find that flights from NY are usually cheaper there or at least the same price as FLL, so it's a no-brainer when we go to PB or Jupiter.
I live up north from FLL, so the drive to MIA would take longer and require more time on the I-95, increasing my likelihood of premature death or disability. That aside, I like the smaller scale of FLL. Sadly AA pricing into and ex FLL prices it usually out of attainable. Ride share rides ex FLL are also less chaotic to be had than ex MIA.
I can relate since I live in Long Island, NY.
JFK is barely 30 min away from home. Meanwhile, LGA can take 1h.
So I book flights out of JFK, even it is means an extra stop.