Car Hire Fort Lauderdale

Guide

Located along the southeast coast of the sunny US state of Florida, Fort Lauderdale has been described as the ‘Venice of America’, and has become an increasingly popular winter retreat for holiday makers from all over the world. It has numerous canals and ideal weather. Its reputation as a spring break college party town is subsiding in favour of up-market tourists, winter vacationers and transient yachting crew. A great way to get around this city and its fantastic surroundings is by renting a car, so book cheap car hire in Fort Lauderdale here today to secure a booking, and at an affordable price. There's no better way to explore this part of Florida.

Explore Fort Lauderdale

Surprisingly, one of the biggest tourist drawcards is a wander around the mariners of the Intercoastal Waterway (a combined lagoon/man made canal that runs the length of America’s east coast, paralleling the Atlantic). Several fake paddle steamers ply these waters so that visitors can admire the many incredible million dollar pleasure yachts that are moored here throughout the winter. Yachting services is one of the city’s chief industries.

The seaboard area is one long beach (no waves) lined with palms, perfect sand and endless bars, shops, restaurants and, further north, hotels. It has a lovely promenade to stroll along or even roller blade. Many like to watch passersby. Nearby is the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

The mouth of the New river is somewhat obscured by the intercoastal, but a boat-trip among the canals gives you a peak at the many wealthy waterfront mansions. It’s prettiest along the downtown area (2kms inland), with parks, walkways and the riverfront entertainment precinct. Here tourists will find the commendable Museum of Art, interactive Museum of Discovery & Science (with IMAX), and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants.

Transport

By air
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is serviced by more than 30 airlines, and has several nonstop flights from Europe. It’s less than 10 minutes drive south of the centre, with regular shuttles, but taxi is the most convenient option. Car rental providers with desks in the arrivals hall include; E-Z Rent A Car, Alamo, Advantage Rent a Car, Budget, Avis, Dollar, Royal, Enterprise, National, Hertz, Payless and Thrifty. Don't leave booking a car until your arrival, do it today online for cheaper prices and more cars to choose from.

Miami International, a much larger airport, located about 30 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, has many more trans-Atlantic flights and is one of the main gateways into the US from South and Central America. Both airports have daily flights to popular Caribbean destinations. Car rental providers with desks in the arrivals hall include the same as Fort Lauderdale's, as well as; All Day Rent A Car, Global Rent A Car, P&P Family Auto Rental, and Sixt.

By land
Greyhound buses service the city of Fort Lauderdale. The station can be found at Federal Highway NE 3rd St, just north of the city centre. Buses operate up and down the eastern seaboard, as far away as New York, but it can be a very long journey with several changes en-route, cheap but not cheerful! Buses depart almost hourly to Miami.

The Tri-Rail run between Miami and Palm Beach (North of FL) and is the easiest means of getting to Miami’s suburb, the station is located to the east of the city centre at SW 21st Terrace, and west of I-95.

Florida's main route the Turnpike, runs north and south, from Miami to Longwood, and can be found just east of the centre. The main east to west route, the I-595, connects Port Everglades Fort Lauderdale and the airport to the western suburbs. It also connects with I-95, Florida's Turnpike and the Sawgrass Expressway, a toll road which runs to Florida's west coast.

By sea
The large cruise port of Fort Lauderdale is operated by Port Everglades Authority, the second busiest in the world after Miami. If you're arriving in your own boat, head for the Bahia Mar Yachting Center.