Plenty of cruisers book a Port Everglades sailing and then discover the cheapest or most convenient flights land at Miami International instead of Fort Lauderdale. That is not a problem; it is a 26-mile drive. The route runs north on I-95 or the Florida Turnpike, exits at I-595 East, and rolls straight into the port via Eller Drive. In light traffic it takes about 30 minutes; on a Saturday morning in peak season, allow 45 to 55.
Port Everglades is a different animal from PortMiami. Its cruise terminals are numbered rather than lettered and are scattered across three separate port entrances. Princess uses Terminal 2, Celebrity sails from Terminal 4, Royal Caribbean splits between Terminals 18 and 25, Holland America uses Terminal 21, and Carnival operates from Terminals 19, 26 and 29. Security checkpoints at the port gates require every vehicle to state its terminal, so knowing your ship before you ride saves real time. We confirm it when you book.
The fare is fixed from $119 for a Business sedan, agreed before the car moves, and it includes tolls on the Turnpike or I-595 express lanes, the MIA meet and greet, flight tracking, and generous free waiting time. There is no meter anxiety while you sit in I-95 traffic; delays cost you nothing.
One honest note: if you have not booked flights yet and your only destination is Port Everglades, flying into FLL is closer. But when MIA has the better fare, schedule or nonstop route, this transfer turns the extra distance into a fixed, predictable line item instead of a gamble.
What to expect
- Meet and greet inside MIA arrivals, help with luggage
- Route: I-95 or Turnpike north to I-595 East and Eller Drive
- Driver states your terminal at the port security gate
- Direct drop-off at Terminals 2, 4, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 or 29