aeroplane on tarmac

Everything you need to know about traveling to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and getting around it.

In this guide:

Arriving & Checking In

Facilities & Services

Arriving & Checking In

Address: Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Arlington, VA 22202

Getting to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

If you’re driving, GPS navigation will get you to the airport quickly and seamlessly.

It’s best to reserve a lot space in advance. AirportParkingReservations have many off site options for Fort Lauderdale Airport parking which offer greater value, flexibility and ease of use than onsite airport parking. All of our lot operators offer transportation to FLL most hours of the day for your convenience.

Arriving at the airport

How early to get to FLL depends on the time of your flight and the airline you’ve booked to fly with:

  • Passengers for domestic flights should arrive at the airport two hours before departure.
  • Travelers on international flights should aim to get to the airport three hours before departure.

To avoid delays when traveling during the peak summer periods, we recommend arriving in plenty of time in accordance with your flight departure. Check out our extensive blog on How Early Should I Arrive at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for more details.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Check-In

For a smooth departure from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, check your airline’s specific check-in requirements ahead of time, as policies may vary. The most accurate information can be found by contacting your airline directly.

Whenever possible, take advantage of online check-in to save time and skip long lines at the airport. Completing this step early ensures a hassle-free start to your journey, allowing you to focus on your upcoming travel plans.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Security Screening

Once checked in, head to FLL security screening to reach the departure lounge.

For a smoother departure from FLL Airport, we recommend arriving early to allow ample time for security screening. Wait times can fluctuate, especially during peak travel periods like early mornings, holidays, and the summer season. Planning ahead ensures a stress-free start to your journey.

Boarding & Connecting Flights at FLL

Connecting flights at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport? Staying updated on your next flight is essential. Check digital flight displays and airline apps regularly for real-time gate and departure information.

For those with checked luggage, verify if re-checking is necessary and review your airline’s baggage policies. Additionally, ensure you have all required boarding passes, as some connecting flights may require a new one. A bit of advance planning can help make your transfer smooth and stress-free.

Things to Know about FLL

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is one of Florida’s smaller airports. However, it still has a lot of activity with approximately 65,000 travelers and over 600 commercial flights a day. This short guide will give you a quick lowdown on FLL.

As a smaller airport, FLL is known for being easy to get in and out of. Check-ins are quick, and the TSA line moves rather smoothly. The other good thing about FLL is that the staff is nice and accommodating to travelers.

If traveling out of FLL in the summer, try to schedule an early flight to avoid delays associated with the weather.

Facilities & Services

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Restaurants: Where to Eat?

FLL’s food options are a little bare, but there are a couple of filling stations with decent food. Chef Allen 2 Go features quick and healthy, pre-packaged foods. You can choose from items such as grilled veggie sliders or an assortment of delicious organic style burgers. Chef Allen 2 Go is located in Terminal 4 in Concourse H.

You can also find decent pickings at Kafe Kalik, also in Concourse H. This is a contemporary, Caribbean-themed restaurant that also has a full bar. Kafe Kalik serves colorful dishes such as Spiced Curried Chicken and Yellow Bird Fettuccini. If you’re in need of a little alcohol, Kafe Kalik has a wide variety of Caribbean-style mixed drinks and numerous beers on tap.

In general, FLL tends to shut down food service operations around 9 p.m. There are a few restaurants that do claim to stay open until the last flight arrives. The only certain late night option is Dunkin’ Donuts, which stays open 24 hours a day.

FLL Airport Shops

Those who are easily amused by airport tourist shops that sell quirky souvenirs will be able to find something.

You should also be aware that FLL is undergoing a major re-haul. Airport officials stated that Terminal 4 will receive 4 additional gates and this change is expected to bring more restaurants and shops.

Airport Club Lounges

On the other hand, if you want something more interesting to do, you are better off paying to get into one of the airline clubs. Terminal C’s Continental Airlines President’s Club lets you relax in style with comfortable seating and appealing décor. The only downside to this particular club is that it is relatively small, and it doesn’t have a wide array of drinks as found in larger airport clubs.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport WiFi

Those with electronic devices can take advantage of the free airport Wi-Fi that is fast enough to allow for video streaming without buffering.

Sleeping at FLL Airport

Official airport policy states that sleeping is only allowed in the pre-security area. Despite this, many travelers sleep within the secured gate area. The floor is the usual choice for sleeping. However, there are a few comfortable couches near the car rental area. Terminal 1 seems to be the most popular sleeping venue, with power outlets widely available on the third floor.

Main photo:

Marko Pavlichenko on Unsplash