FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Travelers heading to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport this holiday season should brace for potential parking challenges as garages fill up quickly amid a busy travel period.
Early Wednesday, airport officials reported at least one FLL parking garage reached capacity , with others following as the day progressed. Early Wednesday evening, FLL tweeted that the airport’s garages were full and that its overflow lot had been opened.
#ParkingAlert: Due to peak #Thanksgiving holiday parking demand, #FLL's Overflow Parking Lot is now in use and our short-term & long-term parking garages are closed until further notice. Follow the orange wayfinding signs to our off-airport lot. Daily rate is $10 p/entry. pic.twitter.com/xKEkDi4xW5
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) November 28, 2024
Throughout the day, many travelers were seen circling for open spaces, adding stress before their flights.
“The parking situation is barely full, but it’s not that difficult,” an FLL traveler said, while others noted it can take time to find a spot.
6 p.m. report:
If you’re not catching a ride to jet off, you might find yourself circling the parking lots, hunting for a spot. Spaces are quickly filling up, leaving some travelers frustrated.
“Parking with kids. That’s the hardest part,” another traveler added.
Others rely on their own parking strategies.
“Finally, I got it, thank God. As soon as someone next to me turned on their car, so there’s an art to it,” said FLL traveler Brandon Odoi.
“It’s just madness — you can’t even really figure out where to park, so I kinda have to stalk someone, sit here and wait,” another traveler explained.
Parking at the airport costs $20 per day for long-term parking and $36 per day for short-term options. Depending on where you’re coming from, a rideshare might be a cheaper and less stressful alternative. For example, a nine-mile trip from Local 10′s studios to the airport costs an average of $20 to $30 without promotional discounts.
Airport officials recommend downloading the FLL app, which offers real-time updates on parking availability. However, with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, those numbers may not always be up to date.