Beach Town Know-How for Getting Around

In most US cities, it’s challenging to get around without a car; however, there are some exceptions. With beaches, shopping, cultural attractions, the Everglades, and more, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a great vacation spot any time of year. And best of all, you can get around conveniently without having a vehicle to call your own. 

Whether traveling stylishly—because of your ride or outfit—or looking your best after the dentist, Fort Lauderdale has a lot to see. Make sure you meet the sun, sand, and surf with a smile!

Water Taxi

It’s not necessarily cheap or fast, but it is a lot of fun. Simply board at one of 15 stops along the Intracoastal Waterway (which stretches along much of the southern

Florida coast) and cruise. The water taxi can take you to downtown to the Las Olas shopping area, and down to Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach. Bars, restaurants, and shopping are off most of the stops, as are huge mansions, fancy yachts, and homes of the rich and famous. For $28 per adult and $14 per child ages 5 to 11, you can hop on and off the boats all day. The taxis depart from each stop every 25 to 35 minutes, running daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. 

Sun Trolley Hop-On Bus

The Sun Trolley is a series of seven routes covering the beach road, local neighborhoods, and downtown, even having a connection to the airport bus. The airport bus trip is free, and the two trolley routes with a charge (Las Olas and the beach route) are only $1 for a ride or $3 for an all-day pass, making this a cheap way to get around and explore Fort Lauderdale. They are also convenient to find and use; download the Sun Trolley app to see where the buses are in real-time, so you don’t have to wait around for a ride all day. 

Broward BCycle Bike Share

Fort Lauderdale can be quite a fun city to explore by bicycle. Rides along the beach road provide spectacular water views, or you can head inland using the bike lanes on well-traveled streets. And, whether you’re just passing through or have an extended stay, you don’t need to find your own bike to use. The Broward County government maintains a public bike share system where you can pay for half an hour for $5, a seven-day pass for $35, or an annual pass for $88. Find a bike stand in the tourist zones, check out with a credit card, and cruise around the city. 

Broward County Transit’s Commuter Buses

For only $2 per person, these buses travel throughout the county and connect with all South Florida Transportation systems. A day pass is available for $5, or you can buy three-day, one-week, or 10-ride passes for $12 to $20. All passes cover unlimited rides for as long as they are valid. Payments can include bus passes, mobile tickets, or exact change cash fairs.