Flying into FLL for Miami Cruise=Big deal?

[mrsgthatsme]

How big of an inconvenience would you say it is to fly into FLL if you are cruising out of Miami? Flights are looking like they will be less from our home airport to do it that way, but I'm wondering if we would regret doing that or if it would create enough additional headaches that it wouldn't be worth the savings. If you have done this, could you share your experiences? We will fly in the evening before our cruise, and were planning on staying at a hotel in the Brickell area in Miami, but I wasn't sure if it would make more sense to stay in Ft. Lauderdale if we do fly into FLL or if we should make the drive to Miami that night so we wouldn't have as much of a drive in the morning. I have read that some people take private transportation, group transportation, or UBER from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami... do you have a preference? We will have 5 adults, 2 kids, and luggage. :) Thank you!

[1025cruise]

You might want to ask on the Florida Departures board. But, this is no big deal at all.

[Tapi]

Extremely easy. Almost every time we sail from Miami, we fly in and out of Ft Lauderdale because usually prices are cheaper and there are several more airlines and flight times to choose from.

 

We’ve been off the ship in Miami and at the FLL airport in time to standby on an 8:45am flight. We’ve used Uber the last few times not only to the airport, but also to the hotel and from the hotel to the port and it has worked wonderfully. 
 

As far as where to stay before, it’s really up to you. Sometimes we’ve stayed on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale and then drive in the morning,  and other times we’ve stayed right across Bayside Marketplace in Miami where we’ve watched our ship come in. They’ve both been enjoyable. I preferred the Ft Lauderdale Beach location if coming in early in the day because it felt like an extension to our vacation. 
 

From the port of Miami, the distance to MIA is obviously shorter than to FLL,  but there tends to be more congestion to get to MIA as well as once you get there. Many times the time differential is only 10 minutes.

 

Book your flights in and out of FLL with confidence. 

Edited October 28, 2019 by Tapi

[numtini]

We flew into FLL. Got a local motel and then an uber to port. $35ish motel to port, $50ish port to FLL.

[msmayor]

We've actually done the reverse - flown into Miami for a FLL cruise.  Very easy to do and makes sense as long as your cost of transportation between FLL/MIA is less than the price difference of the flights to either airport.

 

For us, the savings were significant.  We flew into Miami and had a driver take us to FLL where we spent the night, then took our cruise.  From the port upon return, we went straight to the Miami airport.

 

On a good day it takes 45-50 minutes to travel between the two so plan accordingly for flights.