Let's be honest – parking at Everglades Port can feel like navigating a swamp without a map. When I drove there last spring, I spent 20 minutes circling like a confused alligator before finding my spot. This guide fixes that. Below you'll find exactly how parking at Port Everglades works, with prices, insider tips, and hard-won lessons from multiple trips.
Official Port Everglades Parking Options Explained
The port operates multiple garages and surface lots. During peak season, these fill up fast. Personally, I think the midport garage offers the best balance if you're willing to pay slightly more. Here's the breakdown:
Parking Garage Rates
- Terminal 2 Garage: $15/day
- Midport Garage: $17/day
- Terminal 19/21/25/26/29 Garage: $22/day
- Oversized vehicles add $5/day
Surface Lot Rates
- Northport Lots (Terminal 1/2/4): $12/day
- Midport Lots (Terminal 18/19/21/22/24): $15/day
- Southport Lots (Terminal 25/26/29): $18/day
Parking at Port Everglades Tip: Book through the official Port Everglades parking portal 60+ days out during holiday seasons. That $5 premium for covered parking? Worth every penny when Florida storms hit.
Third-Party Parking Near Port Everglades
Off-site lots can save you money but require shuttles. After testing four companies, I'll be blunt: Park 'N Go is the only one I'd use again. Their shuttle drivers actually helped with luggage.
| Parking Company | Daily Rate | Shuttle Frequency | Security | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park 'N Go | $8.99 | Every 10 mins | Fenced + cameras | Not walkable |
| Safe Cruise Parking | $7.95 | Every 25 mins | Patrolled lot | 0.8 miles |
| Premier Cruise Parking | $9.50 | On-demand | Gated entry | 1.2 miles |
Warning: Avoid "Economy Lot" signs along Federal Highway. Last December, my colleague's truck got rear-ended in their uninsured lot. Took 3 months to resolve the insurance nightmare.
Free Parking Options? The Real Story
You'll find forum posts claiming free parking at Everglades Port exists. Technically true, but impractical. The Eller Drive overflow lot offers 24-hour free parking, but:
- Requires 25-minute walk to terminals
- Zero security cameras
- Limited to 60 spaces (fills by 7am)
- Strict 7-day maximum
Personally saw three cars with broken windows there last April. Just pay for secured parking at Port Everglades.
Pre-Booking vs Drive-Up: What They Don't Tell You
Pre-booking official port parking guarantees your spot but costs 10% more. During spring break, I watched drive-up customers get redirected to overflow lots a mile away. Not fun with kids and suitcases.
Third-party pre-booking advantages:
- Lock in lowest rates (Park 'N Go drops to $6.99/day when booked early)
- Avoid sold-out dates (Thanksgiving week books out 90 days ahead)
- Prepay eliminates credit card skimming risk
Step-by-Step: Parking at Port Everglades Process
Arrival Day
Expect chaos between 10am-2pm. Here's how I streamline it:
- Enter port: Use Eisenhower Blvd entrance for terminals 2-19
- Documents ready: Have parking reservation + ID visible
- Luggage first: Drop bags with porters before parking (tip $2/bag)
- Park: Take timestamped photo of your spot
- Shuttle/walk: Covered walkways connect garages to terminals
Return Day
Disembarkation mornings are worse. Pro tactics:
- Request early walk-off if carrying luggage
- Prepay parking night before using port WiFi
- Uber to off-site lots during rainstorms ($8 saves 40min shuttle wait)
Accessibility & Special Needs Parking
Port Everglades parking includes 300+ ADA spots. Important specifics:
| Terminal | Closest ADA Parking | Wheelchair Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Garage Level 1 (elevator) | Available curbside |
| Terminal 18 | Surface lot section A | Must request 72hrs prior |
| Terminal 25 | Garage entrance ramp | Automatic upon arrival |
Call 954-468-3687 for mobility cart reservations. They only have 12 carts – book early.
Parking at Port Everglades FAQ
Is overnight parking secure?
The garages have 24/7 patrols and license plate readers. Surface lots? One word: floodlights. Still, never leave valuables visible. My neighbor's catalytic converter got stolen in Lot 19 last year.
Can I park longer than 30 days?
Maximum stay is 60 days at port-operated lots with pre-approval. Off-site lots cap at 45 days. Beyond that, long-term airport parking runs cheaper.
What if I return late from cruise?
Garages charge $25/day after 48 hours grace. Learned this hard way when our ship arrived 9 hours late. Budget extra.
EV charging stations available?
Terminal 19 garage has 12 Tesla + 8 universal chargers ($0.28/kWh). Others? Practically zero. Charge before approaching Everglades Port parking zones.
Money-Saving Tricks That Actually Work
After five cruises from Port Everglades, here's what cuts costs:
- Hotel packages: Hyatt Place offers 14 days parking + 1 night stay for $199
- Groupon alerts: Park 'N Go runs 30% off deals between January-February
- Credit card perks: Capital One Venture covers 10% parking fees
- Shared shuttles: Split UberXL to port with other cruisers (saved me $120 last trip)
Local Secret: Terminal 21 parking fills last. Even during spring break, I've scored spots there arriving at noon. Follow the "Cargo Entrance" signs to bypass terminal traffic.
Final Reality Check
Parking at Everglades Port isn't cheap, but neither is replacing a broken window. Budget $120-$200 for weekly parking at Port Everglades. Compare that to $45 Uber rides each way from Fort Lauderdale Airport – parking often wins for groups.
My take? Use official parking for short cruises or luxury vehicles. For 7+ day trips, Park 'N Go delivers real savings without horror stories. Either way, book early. That $20 daily rate jumps to $35 when lots fill.
Still stressed about parking at Port Everglades? Call the parking office direct at 954-468-3680. Actual humans answer and know more than any website.
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