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| FEATURES |
FORT LAUDERDALE - HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
| Curbside check-in |
Although sheriff's deputies force cars to move from the curb quickly, this remains the quickest and easiest way to check-in for domestic travel. Most airlines have numerous skycaps to tag your luggage and provide boarding passes. The nicest part: Your bags are given a security check on the spot. |
| Counter check-in |
During slow times, check-in is a breeze. During peak periods, there is little sense of organization and plenty of passenger confusion. For domestic travel, passengers generally must check in using self-serve kiosks, though not all passengers, particularly older ones, are comfortable using these computerized devices. |
| Airport parking |
With a new 4,400-space Cypress parking garage in the new rental car center, the airport has ample parking. The problem: the new garage is not easy to find, considering you have to wind up seven flights of the old garage to enter it. Better signs are needed to direct motorists to short- and long-term parking. |
| Parking costs |
Short-term parking: $1 per half hour up to $36 per day. Long-term parking: $1 per half hour up to $12 per day. Remote parking lots: $6 per day. |
| Private parking |
A couple of options are available: Airport Valet Parking (954-524-4810) just north of the airport and Park-N-Fly (954-779-1776) is just east. Both charge $7 per day and offer free shuttle service. Park-N-Fly is the most convenient for both cruise and airline passengers; plan on using a self-serve credit-card kiosk to check out. |
| Security |
Many of the concourses have relatively efficient security setups. In Terminal 1, you check your bag with your airline and go to your gate quickly. However, all the terminals are subject to jams during peak periods, notably weekends, when the airport is swamped with cruise ship passengers. |
| Baggage carousels |
Thanks to large electronic signs, it's easy to find your flight's luggage, and there's plenty of space to stand along the conveyor belt. Skycaps are available to take large luggage loads to your car. |
| Killing time |
If you've got a few hours before your flight, bring a book, a laptop and toys for the kids because the airport isn't much fun. Terminal 3 has the only general public view of the runways from Chili's restaurant. Overall, it has a poor variety of shops. Television is provided in a few lounges but not in passenger waiting areas. Inside Terminal 1, there are fish tanks and an entertainment screen. Outside the terminals, you can walk under a canopy. |
| Terminal layout |
Only Terminal 1 has shoulder room for the masses. It also has an airy and fun feel with lots of natural light and model airplanes dangling from the ceiling. Terminals 2 and 4 don't have near enough public seating and are cramped with airline mazes and security machines outside of the security area. Terminal 3 has more space and seating. |
| Restaurants |
The restaurants within secure areas are for the most part adequate. The choices are lousy for visitors who aren't catching planes. Only Terminal 3 has a comfortable sit-down eatery in Chili's. The only general public restaurant in Terminal 2 is Jake's Coffeehouse, and it's nothing more than a muffin and hot dog stand hidden behind security mazes. In the expansive Terminal 1, there are two food carts on either side of the structure, one selling empanadas, the other hot dogs. |
| Lounges |
Inside the security area, you will find a few bars. Outside of the security areas, only two: Chili's Margarita in Terminal 3 and the Dockside Bar in Terminal 4. If you have time and a choice, go to the Dockside, it has a pleasant nautical theme. |
| Restrooms |
Restrooms are abundant and for the most part clean. |
| Rental cars |
The new rental car center is impressive, with lots of open space, big counters and easy access to the rental cars. Getting to the center isn't much fun, as you must catch a bus from Terminals 2, 3 and 4 or take quite a hike through Terminal 1 to reach a connecting bridge. Returning cars is easy, as signs are clearly marked as you enter the airport. |
| Passenger drop off and pick up |
With the new looping roadways into the airport, traffic congestion has eased and signs are clear to find your airline and terminal. Airport signs on I-95 and I-595 also are easy to follow. Yet, when departing the airport, signs could be clearer, showing which lane returns you to the terminal and which ones take you to I-595 and U.S. 1. The airport is studying establishing a cell-phone lot. For now, if you're picking up a passenger, use short-term parking or wait outside the airport; if you hang out on the airport entrance roads, deputies might issue a $71.50 ticket. |
Airport
transportation |
Hailing a cab or grabbing an airport shuttle to a hotel is fairly easy, probably more so than at most airports. |
