Tri-Rail Review: Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport

When you're planning transport between Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airport, most people assume they'll need to pay for Uber or an expensive shuttle.

South Florida also has a commuter rail network called Tri-Rail, which connects Fort Lauderdale, Miami and several stops in between. On a previous trip, I took the Brightline service from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, but Brightline doesn't run directly to Miami International Airport - only as far as MiamiCentral, with a shuttle connection. This time, I wanted a direct route to the airport without the hassle of transferring with luggage.

While the Tri-line service is more utilitarian than premium, it's a useful low-cost option if you want to get directly to/from Fort Lauderdale Airport and Miami International Airport. It also helps avoid Miami's traffic and tolls!

My Tri-Line Review focuses on my recent journey onboard Tri-Rail from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport Station, and covers ticketing, cleanliness, luggage storage, and the transfer process to the terminal.

What Is Tri-Rail?

Tri-Rail is a commuter train service that's been running since 1989. It connects Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with 18 stations in total, stretching from Mangonia Park to Miami International Airport.

It's operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, and is designed primarily for local workers and airport staff, though lots of tourists use it too. Unlike the newer Brightline service, Tri-Rail isn't about impressive design or comfort, but rather getting you from A to B for a low price.

Fort Lauderdale Tri-Rail Station: Location and Access

The Fort Lauderdale Tri-Rail Station is located just west of I-95 at 200 SW 21st Terrace, near Broward Boulevard. It's quite a short drive from downtown and is served by local buses and rideshares. If you're staying centrally, it's one of the more convenient stations on the line. Happily, my friend Ronan dropped me off right at the platform entrance.

This is the city's main Tri-Rail stop and has a large park-and-ride lot for commuters. The station itself is practical rather than pretty, with covered walkways and clear signage.

On the day I travelled, all trains were boarding on Platform 1, meaning no need to cross the platform. However, please check the overhead boards to confirm your platform on the day of travel.

Buying Tickets at Fort Lauderdale Station

The ticket machines at Fort Lauderdale station

I didn't pre-book my ticket. Instead, I used one of the touchscreen ticket machines at the station. The interface is a little dated, but functional. You select your origin and destination, number of passengers, and pay by card.

Zip Code Tip: As a non-US visitor, I had a problem using the ticketing machines. The machine requires the zip code of your card address to function. If you use a Revolut card for travel (as I do), this simply wouldn't work. I tried the local zip code and 00000 to no avail. However, my regular credit card worked with 00000.

My one-way fare from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport cost $5. It's a flat-rate fare and genuinely cheap (compared to $29 for Brightline for a similar route). My ticket was printed immediately.

The Train Exterior: A Splash of Florida Colour

As you can see from the photo at the top of this page, the Tri-line train was double-decker, with bold blue skies and palm tree motifs painted across the carriages. It's an eye-catching design and has a distinctly South Florida vibe, cheerful, even if the train interiors have seen better days!

Inside the Carriage: Worn but Functional

The toilet on board a Tri-line train The toilet on board the Tri-line

There's no comparison between Brightline's spotless interiors and the well-worn interior of the Tri-Line. But that's okay, they're not really competing in the same bracket. Everything here is a bit smudged and scuffed.

There's piles of seating on both levels and no assigned seats.

What's surprising is the variety of passengers, some in flight crew uniform, others with electric scooters, others dressed as commuters. This is a workhorse of a train and, at this price, must be a valuable service for local users.

Luggage Storage and Accessibility

Two suitcases on a luggage rack on the Tri-rail train Lots of luggage storage onboard the Tri-line train

One major plus was the sheer amount of luggage space. I had no trouble stowing my suitcase and backpack. There were no restrictions posted about luggage size or weight.

Toilets and Wi-Fi: Manage Your Expectations

There is a toilet onboard, located on the lower level of the carriage I was in. However, it remained locked for the entirety of my journey. I'd suggest using facilities before boarding if you can.

There were signs for Wi-Fi, but I couldn't get a connection throughout the journey. This is a short trip, so hopefully you can wait until you reach the airport terminal (or hotspot to your phone).

Arrival at Miami Airport Station

Signage for Miami Airport at the MIA train station

Tri-Rail's Miami Airport Station is modern and part of the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which incorporates a number of transport options including Metrorail, Amtrak, Greyhound, and the rental car centre.

I needed to check-in for a flight to London with Norse Atlantic, so from the platform, I followed the signage to the MIA Mover, a free automated train that goes directly to the airport terminals. The MIA Mover runs frequently and the transfer took under 5 minutes (and it's free).

Where To Stay Near Fort Lauderdale or Miami Airport

If you're arriving into South Florida late at night or have an early flight, there's good hotel options near either Fort Lauderdale or Miami Airport stations. These hotels have good reviews via Expedia:

Near Fort Lauderdale Tri-Rail Station:

Near Miami Airport:

Tours and Activities from Miami

If Miami is your final stop, and you're lucky enough to have extra time, these are some top-rated excursions that depart locally:

Tri-Rail - Final Thoughts

Tri-Rail isn't trying to be luxury. It's trying to be reliable, affordable and accessible, and for the most part, it succeeds. For $5, you get a direct connection between two of Florida's busiest airports and the ability to skip the stress of Miami traffic.

As long as you're aware that the experience is more "budget airline" than "boutique rail", you won't go far wrong. Expect value, luggage space and a smooth transfer to the airport.

Part of the Rail guide