transportation from ft. lauderdale to miami
 

What is the cheapest and best way to get from Ft. Lauderdale to miami for a cruise?

Check out tri County Express. They are located at the airport outside of baggage claim, and you do not need a reservation. We have used them and they were good.
http://www.floridalimo.com/

Rent a car on hotwire or priceline for the day. You can rent one for about $20.

GoTravel, is that new with Priceline and Hotwire-- doing a one way car rental? I thought they didn't do that.

But I'm also not sure where you drop off a car at the cruise port in Miami. Are there places that will then shuttle you there? If you still have to get a taxi from a car rental to the cruise port, renting the car seems pointless.

I'm a big fan of one day car rentals, by the way and just booked two -- one from Naples to Ft. Lauderdale airport and another to return a week later. But I was lucky to get a $38 on the one from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples. I booked it for Feb. 7, but today find the prices have more than doubled. Not sure why.

You can drop the car off at the office near the cruise ship and they will shuttle you to the pier.

The couple of times I've rented a car one way, it has always been in Florida where there are no drop off fees.

But $20? I'm thrilled when I can get a one day rental for around $35. I have the best luck with Dollar. Just checked Expedia (I was right -- Hotwire and Priceline will not let you book a one way rental) and the cheapest one day from Ft. Lauderdale I can find for Feb. 7 is $90.

The pier seems pretty intimidating to drive to for a first time visitor... even our taxi driver got a bit mixed up about WHICH ship, WHICH pier etc...

We took the GO Airport Shuttle $18/pp
Website: www.floridalimo.com

This is two years late for the OP but may be of interest to others planning cruises this year. According to a travel column in the Washington Post <http://tinyurl.com/88y9xm>:

"Fort Lauderdale is 28 miles north of the Port of Miami, about a 40-minute drive. The easiest thing would be to take a limo, but it's pricey: Fort Lauderdale Limousine Service (954-288-0646, http://www.fortlauderdalelimoservice.com), for example, quoted a rate of $102 ($85 plus a 20 percent tip) for a one-way trip for up to four people in a "luxury sedan."
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Another option: Check with your cruise line, which most likely provides shuttle service to the port. Carnival, for example, charges $24 per person one way; Celebrity, $28. (The transfer is complimentary if you purchase your airline tickets and cruise through the cruise line, but it sounds like that doesn't apply in your case.)

Your best, and cheapest, bet is a regularly scheduled commercial shuttle. Fort Lauderdale Shuttle (754-246-1111, http://www.fortlauderdaleshuttles.com), for example, quoted a rate of $70 for four people. Go Airport Shuttle (954-561-8888, http://www.floridalimo.com) charges $21 per person, but if you ask for an "express car," which seats four, the rate is $70. You must reserve in advance for both companies."