SallyClare

I'm wanting to visit Sawgrass Mills outlet near Fort Lauderdale airport, but just wondering best mode of transport for this? Am not really keen on hiring a car, anyone know how much a cab would cost or alternatively if there are any shuttle buses? Thanks!

AaronM

Not sure about shuttle buses or cab fare but it's a 20 minute drive with no traffic.

Elainee

Sawgrass Mills is a below-average mall. Nothing special. To rent a car or get transportation form FL airport to go there does not make sense to me unless you live someplace that has no outlet malls. I was extremely disappointed when I went there. If you have time between flights, maybe you might take a walk on the beach?

Postal

I'll second that vote against Sawgrass Mills. It was big all right, but the prices were nothing special. Neither was the mall.

Heartburn3

First off, are you staying in Ft. Lauderdale or just passing through and need to kill a few hours? If you absolutely love to shop and want to go to Sawgrass Mills, I'd inquire about bus service, but if you are staying in the area, get a car. Head west from the airport on I-595, get off at Flamingo Road (next exit past Hiatus Road) and go north (turn right at the light) it's a few miles up on the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Flamingo Road. Go past the light at Sunrise Blvd and turn left at the first light. You can find some bargains at Sawgrass, but you have to go straight to the sales and clearance racks at the back of the stores. Most of the time you can get an everyday "sale" price, but can pay through the nose at some places. Happy shopping!
(The beach stroll is a nice idea, too.)

SallyClare

Thanks for your thoughts folks. I'm basically arriving at Ft Lauderdale at 8am on a cruise and have until 8pm to kill before my flight leaves. And no they haven't heard of the mall concept where I'm from. They also haven't heard of opening stores on Sundays so I'm feeling a little mall deprived. Thanks!

Heartburn3

OMG...you certainly are mall deprived, aren't you? Then you'll really enjoy Sawgrass Mills. My best friend and her sis drive 2 hours each way to do shopping a couple times a year at Sawgrass. Also, a couple other places for shops are at University Drive, both north & south of I-595. To the north is Broward Mall with Penney's, Dillard's, Sears & Burdine's as anchor stores. To the south, about a block from I-595 is Tower Shops with nice little specialty stores, as well as a fantastic DSW shoe warehouse, Old Navy, and a discount store with closeout stuff (it's either Ross or Marshall's, I can't remember which one). University Drive is about half way between the Airport/Port Everglades and Sawgrass Mills. HAPPY SHOPPING AND DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE A CRUISE TO CATCH! LOL

freespirit61

The cabs in South Florida are not cheap but will be quicker than renting a car. It's about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Sawgrass has some great stores and I'm a shopper that likes deep discounts. Gap, Banana Republic, Off Saks 5th Ave., Marshalls, Nine West, Neiman Marcus, and many more. Have a great time shopping and cruising.

Heartburn3

Freespirit had a great idea about getting a cab. It would probably be easier in the long run. Sawgrass Mills has a website, I wonder if they could tell you if there is a shuttle of some type to get you there from Port Everglades, or one of the local Ft Lauderdale hotels. Also, there are some hotels near Sawgrass Mills, maybe there is a shuttle going to one of them that you could use. If I'm available the day you are arriving, I might even be able to pick you up, drop you off, and get you to the airport. Just out of curiosity, what will you do with your luggage while you're shopping??

kwhit

If you like to shop, you will be very happy with your choices in South Florida. I live near Sawgrass Mills but being a shopaholic I can speak with authority on most of the shopping choices. If you have a lot of different things you want to pick up in a day , I would go with Sawgrasss. There is a VF outlet with half price Lee jeans, a BrandsMart with lots of discounted electronics, a Mikasa outlet etc. BUT, if you're looking for the latest style clothes and shoes, I would go somewhere else. The fasion outlets, although they are big names, tend to have last season's stuff. The nearest big mall to the airport is the Galleria on Sunrise Blvd., it is quiet but has your big department stores like Burdines, and Saks. I would definitely rent a car whatever I do. The cost of an economy car is less than a taxi ride to almost anywhere. Taxis are very expensive in this area.

Heartburn3

Galleria is a very nice mall if you don't want last season's clothes. Good suggestion, kwhit. I have no idea how much a taxi is around here, but I'm sure it's expensive. If you rent a car and drive to Galleria, take the A1A route to Sunrise Blvd and turn left, follow the road to Galleria, a short distance on the left, just past the bridge. This would be a great idea, and you'd get a fantastic view of the beach (instead of traffic...LOL).

satrijoe

You might want to check the Fort Lauderdale Airport website: http://www.fll.net/