Cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale

When to fly

Peak season:

Fort Lauderdale’s winter weather is outstanding and November to April is the peak season for flight bookings. This is the dry period, which experiences average high temperatures between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius and average low temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees. While it’s not quite the Spring Break hotspot it was in the 60s and 70s, lots of tourists still travel to Fort Lauderdale during the winter. It is therefore best advised to book several months in advance for the best deals on flights and accommodation.

The winter season also plays host to a number of popular annual events. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival (March) is a great event for the whole family, which includes the grand parade, traditional Irish music, dancing, a children’s village full of activities and a wide variety of food and beverages. Another event which is more suited to adult visitors is the Wine and Culinary Celebration (April), which showcases a vast array of spirits, wines and beers from around the world with a variety of food pairings from some of South Florida’s leading restaurants.

Book flights to Fort Lauderdale up to a year in advance for travel during holidays and school vacation periods, which include, Thanksgiving Holiday (late November), Christmas (late December to early January), Winter (February/March), Spring vacation (April), Summer (May/June to August/September) and all federal and state holidays.

Shoulder season:

Late spring (May) and autumn (October) can be a great time to find cheap flights; the weather is nice and the crowds will be slightly smaller. Temperatures on average will be in the 20s and although there is some rainfall, it is significantly less than during summer (June to September). It may be possible to find cheaper flights to Fort Lauderdale and better hotel deals during these in-between seasons, but book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Off season:

Fort Lauderdale summers (June through September) are hot and humid. This is when the most rainfall occurs, particularly in the months of June and September. However, this is the most affordable time to fly to Fort Lauderdale and get a great deal on flights. Hotels in the area also reduce their prices considerably during the summer. As most days thunderstorms occur in the afternoon or evening, you can still make the most of your holiday.

Before booking your flight, you should take into consideration that the hurricane season falls from June through November. Major hurricanes are most likely to affect the area during the months of September and October.

Getting around Fort Lauderdale

Ample parking and wide-flung city limits make driving the easiest way to get around Fort Lauderdale. Renting a car is best, and you can often find package deals when you book your cheap flight to Fort Lauderdale. Major car rental companies can be found at the airport. If you’re not a driver, there are plenty of taxis around the city, but they are expensive. The bus is much cheaper, but is very complicated. You can also take a water taxi downtown via the New River and the waterway.

Getting from the airport to the city

The main airport with which travellers to Fort Lauderdale will arrive at is Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport (FLL) (website: www.broward.org), which is located just under 5 km southwest of the city centre.

Other alternative airports include Miami Intl (MIA), which is 48 km from Fort Lauderdale, and also Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) , which is situated 72 km from Fort Lauderdale.

Bus, train and taxi all operate from the Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) to downtown. The buses run every 20-30 minutes 7 days a week and take approximately 20 minutes.

The Tri Rail train service takes only eight minutes to get to town, but runs only once an hour and finishes around 8pm.

Taxis are available from the transportation podium, located outside the baggage area of each terminal. They take 10 minutes to get to town.

Many hotels in the area also offer free shuttles to and from the airport.

It’s advisable to hire a car when visiting the area. Travellers looking for cheap Fort Lauderdale flights should also look into car hire discounts.

What is good to know if travelling to Fort Lauderdale?

• Fort Lauderdale is an affordable alternative to the more expensive Miami. The water is cleaner, the snorkelling is more colourful, the arts scene is growing, and the weather is perfect.
• Don’t miss the water taxi in Fort Lauderdale. If you’re on a tight budget, but have some time on your hands, this is a great way to get around, catch a tour of celebrity homes and yachts, and spend very little money. Consider getting a seven-day pass, which makes this transportation option very affordable.
• If snorkelling or diving is your thing, Fort Lauderdale is a great destination. Not only will you be able to easily view brightly coloured fish and coral through especially clear water, there are abundant opportunities to dive on old wrecks.
• The International Swimming Hall of Fame is another must for water lovers. It houses more than 929 square meters of Olympic aquatic memorabilia, as well as paintings, sculptures and literature dating back as far as the 1880s all on the sport of swimming.

What airport do you fly into for flights to Fort Lauderdale?

Booking a flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is your only option if you intend on flying to Fort Lauderdale. It is only a 5.4 km journey from Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale’s city centre.