Getting Around Fort Lauderdale

info about getting around the south florida area (palm beach county, broward county, and miami/dade county) on the bus systems can be found at -- www.sfrta.fl.gov. phone is 888/467-3782.

a website with a "trip planner" option is -- www.sfrtp.cinrtosfl.com for general info -- and -- sfrtp.cinrtosfl.com/hiwire?.a=iTripPlanning&.s=2c2014a1 to enter a specific starting point and destination. what you will get is info on how to get from one place to the other by whatever public transit means are available -- train/bus/whatever.

caution -- i did not try any public transit when i was in this area b/c i found these websites only after i got back!

Should you visit Ft. Lauderdale by car, you'll appreciate the cool parking meters that line Las Olas. (That is, if you're like me, and never carry cash with you and even more rarely have loads of spare change on hand.) No need to scrounge around for loose change for the stupid parking meter my friends, Las Olas's meters take credit cards! Brilliant. Slip your card in, type in how long you'll be there on the key pad and a little receipt will come out that you put inside your car on the dash board. Easy as pie. :-)

If you don't get a rental car or don't want to move it, try the Waterbus. For $5 a day you can get to quite a few shopping, dining and entertainment areas here in Fort Lauderdale.

There are two directions. The short one goes up the New River to Las Olas shopping and Riverfront. The long one goes up the Intercoastal waterway to restaurants and the Galleria Mall. Both trips take you past mansions and yachts and are fun just for the ride. Our guests have spent whole days boating around Fort Lauderdale on the Waterbus and really enjoyed it.

If you are in Fort Lauderdale you don't need a car.

If it's NOT mid summer, then get a bicycle and a big lock. It's the best way to get about, every thing is close. Some people just walk and bus but a bike is quick and fun. Some hotels lend or rent.

Water Bus, a must ride! Runs from beach to Las Olas and down town. Get a day $5, three day, $10 or a week pass $20. Runs day and night, 9am to 12:30am next morning, so you can use it for partying and then get home. http://www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLMap.Asp

City Cruiser shttle runs between the beach and Down Town, and its FREE !! funny times, check schedules. Last bus about 1AM http://citycruiser.org/schedules_maps.asp

Normal Bus: Bus termiinal is only two blocks from RiverSide and Himershee village entertanement complexes. The number 11 runs from there, down Las Olas and up the beach (Weekdays every 30 min till 11pm). The #40 takes you to the supermarket and mall. #22 (from Terminal) Broward & Sawgrass malls.

There is even special busses going from the beach to the swap shop.

Taxi: Most things are close so fares should be low. But check distance before setting out. (Sawgrass mills shopping is MILES out west)

Bikes: It's probably cheeper to purchase a 99$ one at wallmart and sell it on your last day then to rent by the hour. Bring lock and cable from home!

Bus >> http://www.broward.org/bct/

Fort Lauderdale Airport, Bus #1(from terminal) takes you right to your gate.

Miami AIrport: City Cruiser (from bus terminal) connects to Tri-rail and then to Miami Airport >> ttp://www.tri-rail.com/

Taxis are expensive in Florida, soon as you get in the taxi it cost you $1.25 and it works out at around $2 to $3 a mile,and as some of the places that you want to visit could be at least 5 to 6 miles away it leaves a hole in your pocket. There are also limo's that you can hire but they are twice as much and more.

The buses are a great and cheap way of getting around. In Fort Lauderdale you pay $1 for any distance in the area one way or you can pay $2.50 for an all day pass. Get a time table and route map from a bus driver or from your hotel, they are really easy to follow and go regularly. All the buses have numbers so it is easy to find the one you want for a certain route. The buses except $1notes or change. The drivers are usually very helpful and also the bus has a computer on board that will tell you when the next stop is comng up and where you are on the route. The buses can be a little cold sometimes because of the air conditioning. In Miami Beach the buses cost $1.25. so make sure when you get on that you have some small coins as they don't give change.
Fort Lauderdale
Broward County Transit
3201 W. Copans Road
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
(954) 357-8364