Universal to Fort Lauderdale

[jhryb]

Hello - My family of 4 will be taking a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale next summer and now we would like to add on a few nights at Universal Orlando before the cruise. We would like to fly into Orlando and fly out of Fort Lauderdale. We do not want to rent a car. Can anyone suggest any alternatives for transfers b/w Orlando and Fort Lauderdale (i.e. recommended transfer companies)? I would really prefer to transfer the morning of the cruise - do you think that this is okay OR should I transfer the night before and stay at a hotel near the Fort Lauderdale Port?
Thanks for any suggestions
Jennifer

 

[Brit_Jude]

Jennifer,

Orlando to Ft Lauderdale is over 200 miles - the best way and probably the cheapest would be a one way car rental for a day. Florida does not have a good public transportation system. You could contact some transportation companies like Mears and FL Tours but I think it would be a private shuttle hire and quite expensive. I don't think that route has any type of regularly scheduled shuttle.

Hopefully some others have some suggestions.

 

[irishthemeparkfan]

I'm looking for an answer on this as well. From what I have gathered the cruislines may provide bus transportation from orlando airport for a fee.

 

[snowy76]

Just Googled what you're looking for... you're probably looking for Orlando to Port Everglades terminal? I'm seeing one-way rates of $500 and up

You COULD actually fly from MCO to FLL. It's an hour long ride once you're in the air. FLL is right near the cruise terminal. Spirit Airlines, for example, has flights for around $50 pp in late July. Of course, with time in security and whatnot, you might be better off just driving - roughly 3 to 3 and a half hours. You could probably rent a full size car or SUV for $100 to $150 before any discounts.

 

[jhryb]

Just Googled what you're looking for... you're probably looking for Orlando to Port Everglades terminal? I'm seeing one-way rates of $500 and up

You COULD actually fly from MCO to FLL. It's an hour long ride once you're in the air. FLL is right near the cruise terminal. Spirit Airlines, for example, has flights for around $50 pp in late July. Of course, with time in security and whatnot, you might be better off just driving - roughly 3 to 3 and a half hours. You could probably rent a full size car or SUV for $100 to $150 before any discounts.

Thanks - I googled and then I contacted floridasunshineshuttle - they charge $600 for a private transfer b/w Universal and Port Everglades (up to 4 people). I am trying to convince our friends who will be on our cruise to join us at Universal prior to the Cruise - floridasunshineshuttle said that it is $650 all-inclusive for 5-10 people.
My DH does not want to drive when he is on vacation. Since I refuse to drive on highways I can't do it either. I will take your suggestion and look at flights - but it does seem like a waste of time to go back to the airport. If our friends decide to join us then just over $80pp for the private shuttle seems reasonable to me.

 

[ToyStory]

We are doing the opposite. Fort Lauderdale to Universal. We will be renting a car from Hertz to drop it off at Royal Pacific.

We have done this drive before and it isn't bad of a drive.

Does the cruise line offer transfers from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale? That might be another option.