By the ART Executive Services dispatch team. Private chauffeur service across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.
Quick answer: In the MIA vs FLL choice, pick the airport closest to where you will sleep. MIA suits Miami, Brickell, Miami Beach and the Keys. FLL suits Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Port Everglades. Palm Beach is closer to DJT. Fares and schedules can shift the answer, so compare both. See our airport transportation page for rides from all three.
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South Florida has three main commercial airports within about an hour of each other. Many travelers book whichever flight is cheapest, then find out the airport is far from their hotel.
This guide compares Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) and Palm Beach Airport (DJT, formerly PBI) on location, size, cruise access and ground transportation. It is neutral. Sometimes the cheaper airport is the right one.
MIA vs FLL, the short version: match the airport to your bed
The best airport is the one that puts you closest to where you will stay, unless the fare difference is large. A cheaper flight into the far airport can cost you an hour on the road each way, plus a longer ride bill.
| Your destination | Usually closer airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach, South Beach | MIA | FLL works if you also visit Broward |
| Brickell and downtown Miami | MIA | Metrorail and the train connect downtown |
| Coral Gables, Coconut Grove | MIA | MIA is the nearest of the three |
| Florida Keys | MIA | Longest drive in all cases, so plan the day |
| Hollywood, Hallandale | FLL or MIA | Check fares and the time of day |
| Fort Lauderdale beach and downtown | FLL | FLL is a few miles away |
| Boca Raton, Delray Beach | DJT or FLL | DJT is under 20 minutes from Boca, Delray and Palm Beach Gardens |
| West Palm Beach, Palm Beach | DJT | DJT is on I-95 near downtown |
| PortMiami cruise | MIA | Nearest major airport |
| Port Everglades cruise | FLL | About 2 to 3 miles away |
Use the table as a starting point, then check live drive times in a map app for your travel date and hour.
Miami International (MIA)
MIA has North, Central and South terminals linked by the Skyride, a moving walkway on level 3. Airline ticket counters are on level 2, and arrivals and ground transportation are on level 1. Walking between the South and North terminals takes about 15 minutes, so allow time if you need to change terminals.
MIA is a large international gateway. International arrivals collect bags before U.S. customs, and the airport tells connecting passengers to allow one to two hours for clearance. That makes MIA a strong choice for long-haul or Latin America and Caribbean trips, though you should check your own airline and route rather than assume. The Metrorail Orange Line runs to MIA, which helps solo travelers heading downtown.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL)
FLL is run by Broward County. Visitor information lists downtown Fort Lauderdale about 3 miles away and Port Everglades about 2 to 3 miles away, with Miami roughly 21 miles south. The intercity train from the Fort Lauderdale station to Miami takes about 35 minutes.
FLL tends to feel more compact than MIA, but cruise season changes that. The airport notes that during peak cruise travel, airlines may only check bags up to two hours before departure. Expect more crowds on weekends when ships sail. Fort Lauderdale also suits travelers who want to stay in Broward and visit Miami for a day.
Flying into more than one airport?
We serve MIA, FLL and DJT across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Call (728) 777-3721.
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Palm Beach Airport (DJT, formerly PBI) for the north end
DJT is in West Palm Beach with direct access to Interstate 95. Official visitor information says it is under 20 minutes from Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. The airport has one main terminal with three concourses, A, B and C, so the walk is shorter than at the larger airports.
DJT is smaller, with fewer routes. If you are staying in Palm Beach County, it is worth a fare check even if MIA or FLL looks cheaper at first. If you land at FLL or MIA and then drive north, add the highway time to your plan.
Cruise travelers: pick the airport by the port
PortMiami and Port Everglades are each tied to a different airport. For a PortMiami sailing, MIA is the nearest major airport. For Port Everglades, FLL is only a few miles away. Cruise lines run their own bus transfers from the airports, and many travelers also book a private car for the ride.
Cruise days create surges. Passengers leaving ships can add to security lines at the airport, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. If your flight leaves the day you disembark, leave the port early. See the PortMiami transportation page and Port Everglades transportation page for port transfers.
How fares, routes and schedules change the answer
Which airport has the better flight changes by route, season and day of the week. Some cities have more daily flights into one airport than the others. Check your route on all three airports before you book, and compare the full cost, not only the ticket.
A cheaper fare into FLL for a Miami Beach stay may be worth it if you save a few hundred dollars. It is rarely worth it if you land at midnight and face a long ride. Check airline schedules and add the ground cost to the comparison.
- Compare ticket price plus ride cost, not the ticket alone.
- Check the arrival hour. Late arrivals leave fewer transit options.
- Look at where your return flight leaves, since you can fly into one airport and out of another.
- Check baggage rules if you carry a lot of luggage.
Getting from each airport to your hotel
Taxis, rideshare apps, the train and shuttle buses all serve these airports. For one or two travelers with light bags, those options work well. For groups, families, heavy luggage or a fixed arrival time, a pre-booked private car removes the waiting and the guesswork.
We serve MIA, FLL and DJT across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and we book in advance with a confirmed price. See our Miami Airport page and Fort Lauderdale Airport page for starting fares.
Quick facts
| Airports compared | MIA, FLL and DJT |
| Closest to Miami Beach and Brickell | MIA |
| Closest to Port Everglades | FLL |
| Closest to Palm Beach | DJT |
| Cruise ports served | PortMiami and Port Everglades |
| Service area | Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties |
| Phone | (728) 777-3721 |
| Booking | Book in advance and get a confirmed price |
About ART Executive Services
ART Executive Services is a private chauffeur and limo service for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties: airport transfers, cruise port rides, corporate travel, weddings and events. Our fleet includes sedans, SUVs and Premium SUVs, booked ahead with a confirmed price. Reserve at (728) 777-3721 or through our quote form.
Frequently asked questions
Is MIA or FLL better for Miami Beach?
MIA is usually the closer choice for Miami Beach, South Beach and Brickell. FLL can still make sense if the fare is much lower or you plan to stay in Broward too. Check live drive times for your travel day and add the ride cost to your fare comparison.
Is FLL closer to Miami or to Fort Lauderdale?
FLL is in Broward County. Visitor information lists downtown Fort Lauderdale about 3 miles away and Miami about 21 miles away. It works for Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, and for Miami if you accept a longer ride, which varies with traffic.
Which airport is closer to PortMiami?
MIA is the nearest major airport to PortMiami. Cruise lines often run bus transfers from MIA, and private cars are another option. Allow time for bags and customs after landing, and check your cruise line for the check-in window before you fly.
Which airport is closer to Port Everglades?
FLL, by a wide margin. Visitor information lists Port Everglades about 2 to 3 miles from the airport. Even so, plan your transfer around cruise embarkation times and check with your cruise line before travel.
Which airport should I use for the Florida Keys?
MIA is the nearest of the three, and most Keys trips start there. The drive south is long, so check live traffic and plan your arrival time to avoid a late-night road trip. Consider a private car if you land late or travel with a group.
Is DJT worth considering for a South Florida trip?
Yes, if you are staying in Palm Beach County. DJT is under 20 minutes from Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, has one terminal with three concourses, and sits on I-95. Compare fares against FLL and MIA first.
Is MIA more crowded than FLL?
MIA is generally the larger gateway, with three terminals, but crowds depend on the day, hour and season. Both airports get busy on weekends when cruise ships sail. Check live security wait times on the airport pages on the day you travel.
Which airport has more international flights?
MIA is known as a major international gateway, especially for Latin America and the Caribbean. FLL and DJT also have international routes, including to the Bahamas at DJT. Routes change by season, so check your own route and airline before you book.
Can I fly into one airport and out of another?
Yes, many travelers do, for example when a cruise ends at a different port from where it began. Check fares for open-jaw tickets, and plan a ground transfer between the two. The distance between MIA and FLL is roughly 21 miles.
Is it cheaper to fly into FLL?
Sometimes, but not always. Fares vary by route, date and airline. Add the ground transportation cost and the time to your hotel before deciding. A low fare into the farther airport can cost more once the ride is included.
Does the train connect MIA and FLL?
An intercity train runs between Miami and Fort Lauderdale stations, about 35 minutes from Fort Lauderdale to Miami, and a commuter train serves a Miami Airport station and Fort Lauderdale. You still need to reach the stations from the airports, so check the current service map and schedules.
Does ART serve MIA, FLL and DJT?
Yes. We serve MIA, FLL and DJT, plus PortMiami and Port Everglades, across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. We book rides in advance and confirm a price. Call (728) 777-3721 or see the airport transportation page for details.
Ready to book?
Call or send your trip details and ART Executive Services will confirm your pickup, vehicle and price.
Call (728) 777-3721 | Request a quote
