Parking at Port Everglades costs $20–$22 per day for covered parking and $15–$17 per day for open-air parking, with off-site lots running $8–$14 per day — potentially saving you $50–$100+ on a week-long cruise.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, and the parking situation reflects that — official rates aren't cheap, and if you're not paying attention, you'll hand over $150+ for a week in an open-air lot without blinking. Here's exactly what you're looking at before you drive to Fort Lauderdale.
Port Everglades Parking Costs: The Real Numbers
Broward County operates the official parking garages and lots at Port Everglades. As of 2025, here's what you'll pay:
| Parking Type | Daily Rate | 7-Night Trip Total | 14-Night Trip Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covered Garage (Official) | $22/day | $154 | $308 |
| Open-Air Surface Lot (Official) | $17/day | $119 | $238 |
| Off-Site Covered (e.g., Park 'N Fly, The Parking Spot) | $12–$14/day | $84–$98 | $168–$196 |
| Off-Site Open-Air (budget lots) | $8–$11/day | $56–$77 | $112–$154 |
| Ride-share (Uber/Lyft from nearby hotel) | N/A | $30–$60 round trip | $30–$60 round trip |
Bottom line: The official port garage is convenient but costs nearly double what off-site lots charge. For a 7-night cruise, going off-site can save you $56–$98.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
What Drives Port Everglades Parking Costs
1. Length of your cruise This is the biggest variable. Port Everglades charges by the calendar day, not 24-hour periods. That means if you arrive on a Saturday and return the following Saturday, you're paying for 7 days — but if your ship gets back at 7am and you picked up your car at 8am, you may be charged for that final partial day too. Always round up when budgeting.
2. Garage vs. surface lot The covered garages (Parking Garage 1 and 2) are steps from the terminal entrances and offer shade, security cameras, and protection from South Florida's brutal sun and afternoon thunderstorms. Worth it for some travelers — not for budget-conscious ones willing to walk 5–10 extra minutes.
3. Terminal assignment Port Everglades has multiple terminals spread across a large facility. Your parking convenience depends on which terminal your cruise line uses. Royal Caribbean typically uses Terminal 18 or 25; Carnival uses Terminal 18 or 21; Celebrity uses Terminal 25. Check your cruise documents — being parked near the wrong terminal is annoying but not a disaster.
4. Pre-booking availability Official port parking does not require advance reservations — it's first-come, first-served. This is a double-edged sword. You can't get locked out, but on peak Saturdays (embarkation day for most Caribbean cruises), the garages fill fast. Off-site lots let you reserve in advance and often lock in lower rates.
5. Cruise duration sweet spot For cruises under 4 nights, the math on off-site shuttle parking barely pencils out once you factor in shuttle wait time. For 7+ nights, off-site is almost always worth it.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
How to Pay Less for Port Everglades Parking
Book off-site lots in advance. The Parking Spot, Park 'N Fly, and several independent Fort Lauderdale operators offer shuttle service to the port. Rates run $8–$14/day and shuttles typically run every 15–30 minutes. Use sites like SpotHero, ParkWhiz, or the lot's own website to lock in discounted rates — walk-up prices at these lots are higher than pre-booked online rates.
Consider a Park & Cruise hotel package. Several Fort Lauderdale hotels near the airport and port offer deals where you stay one night pre-cruise, park your car free for the duration of the cruise, and get a shuttle to the terminal. For a 7-night cruise, that hotel stay + free parking can cost less than the official port garage alone. The Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport/South Cruise Port and Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Coconut Creek are popular options for this strategy.
Split the Uber cost. If you're sailing as a couple or family, a round-trip Uber or Lyft from a hotel or your home (within 30 miles) may be cheaper than parking fees for the entire trip. From central Fort Lauderdale to the port, expect $15–$25 each way.
Arrive early on embarkation day. If you're set on using the official port garage, arriving before 10am gives you better odds of a covered spot before the Saturday surge hits.
Skip the garage for short cruises. For a 3- or 4-night Bahamas cruise, the surface lot saves you $20–$25 over the garage with minimal extra inconvenience. Not glamorous, but real money back in your pocket.
Best Off-Site Parking Options Near Port Everglades
| Lot Name | Distance to Port | Shuttle Frequency | Approx. Daily Rate | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Parking Spot Fort Lauderdale | ~2 miles | Every 15–20 min | $11–$13/day | Yes (recommended) |
| Park 'N Fly Fort Lauderdale | ~3 miles | Every 20–30 min | $10–$12/day | Yes |
| Park My Car FLL | ~1.5 miles | On-demand | $8–$11/day | Yes |
| FLL Airport Economy Lot (DIY) | ~4 miles | Rental car shuttle hack | $10/day | No |
Note: Shuttle times matter on disembarkation day. When 3,000 passengers are all trying to leave at once, off-site shuttle lots can back up. Build in 30–45 extra minutes of buffer if you have a flight to catch.
One More Thing Before You Drive
Port Everglades does not allow overnight pre-cruise vehicle drop-offs at the terminal. If you're arriving the night before, you need a hotel. And if someone is dropping you off (no parking needed), use the designated drop-off lanes — not the parking structure — to avoid the $5 minimum entry fee just to pull in and turn around.
Use CruiseMutiny to build out your full pre-cruise cost picture — parking, hotels, gratuities, drink packages — so you know exactly what this trip costs before you hand over a dime.