Fort Lauderdale from Orlando

Orlando to Fort Lauderdale is the easiest in-state trip on this list, and the one where you have a real choice: take the train and skip the driving entirely, or point the car south down the Turnpike. It is a natural pairing — a few days of theme parks, then a beach week at the house. Here is how both options work.

By train: Brightline

Brightline runs modern higher-speed trains between its station near Orlando International Airport and downtown Fort Lauderdale. The trip takes about three hours — the fastest runs are closer to two hours and forty-five minutes — with departures roughly every hour through the day. The earliest train leaves Orlando around 5:45 a.m. and the last departs in the evening. Fares vary a lot with demand and how far ahead you book, generally from around forty dollars up into the low hundreds, so booking early pays off. It is a genuinely comfortable ride: assigned seats, big windows, wifi and no security lines or baggage fees to speak of.

By car: down the Turnpike

Driving is about 200 miles and takes roughly three and a half to four hours, mostly down Florida's Turnpike, which is a toll road — have a SunPass or be ready for toll-by-plate billing on a rental. It is a straightforward, flat drive with plenty of service plazas. Traffic thickens as you approach the South Florida metro, so aim to avoid arriving in the late-afternoon rush if you can.

Train or drive, at a glance

Orlando is the one trip where the train is a real alternative to driving. Here is the quick comparison.

Option	Time	Best for
Brightline train	About 3 hours, hourly	Solo travelers and couples who would rather not drive
Drive (Florida's Turnpike)	About 3.5-4 hours	Families and groups with luggage, or anyone wanting their own car

From the station or the road to the nest

If you take the train, the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station is downtown, about 15 minutes from the house by rideshare or taxi — and once you are here, the free community shuttle, the water taxi and rideshares can cover a lot without a car. If you drive, the nest has free on-site parking. Either way, our airport and Brightline guide and getting-around guide have the details.

Should you take the train or drive?

Take the train if it is just you or a couple, you would rather not deal with traffic and tolls, and you are happy using rideshares and the water taxi once here. Drive if you are a family or group where car seats and luggage make train tickets add up, or if you want your own wheels for beach days and day trips. Many guests do a hybrid: drive down with the gear, then leave the car parked and use the train for a Miami day trip.

What to do first

After the parks, the pace here is the appeal — the beach is ten minutes from the house and the pool is in the backyard. Our complete guide to Fort Lauderdale maps an easy first day, and with room for ten the nest suits the same crew that just did Orlando together. See the seasonal guide for timing.

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