Am considering the following car-less day trip itinerary for Ft. Lauderdale (Miami: renting, house)

[bachslunch]

Am researching the feasibility of visiting the sights in Ft. Lauderdale as a day trip via commuter rail from Miami without using a car or taxis. I dislike renting cars or using taxis (will normally refuse this), can't ride a bike, and like to use public transportation. Have drawn up the following tentative plan:

6:23 or 6:53 AM Airport Flyer Bus to Airport – change to commuter rail 7:00 AM departure – go to Ft. Lauderdale station
Take #9 or #81 bus to transit hub, then #11 bus
9:00 AM – International Swimming Hall of Fame
#11 bus
11:00 AM – Bonnet House
#11 bus
1:00 PM – Old Ft. Lauderdale Village and Museum
3:00 PM – Stranahan House (tours at 1, 2, and 3 only)
4:30 PM – Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art (open until 6 PM)
#9 or #81 bus to Ft. Lauderdale commuter rail station, 7:50, 8:45, or 9:45 PM train – arrive Airport Station, take Airport Flyer bus to South Beach

It looks like this is feasible, though my biggest concern is the safety in the region around the commuter rail stop and on the bus between there and the downtown bus hub. Was also considering a visit to the West Palm Beach/Palm Beach area but all reports suggest the train station there is unsafe and much of WPB near places like the Norton Museum is not good -- and am now very likely to scrap that idea. Am hoping the station in Ft. Lauderdale isn't as bad as the one in WPB -- or is it?

Research suggests all else in Ft. Lauderdale on this plan should be okay.

I've done a fair bit of travel and have taken public transport or walked through notably urban areas on main streets during daylight hours in other cities with no ill effects. I also dress down when I travel -- nothing fancy or expensive (jeans, t-shirt, no wrist watch or jewelry).

Would definitely like feedback on this itinerary, especially from a safety standpoint.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by bachslunch

Am researching the feasibility of visiting the sights in Ft. Lauderdale as a day trip via commuter rail from Miami without using a car or taxis. I dislike renting cars or using taxis (will normally refuse this), can't ride a bike, and like to use public transportation. Have drawn up the following tentative plan:

6:23 or 6:53 AM Airport Flyer Bus to Airport – change to commuter rail 7:00 AM departure – go to Ft. Lauderdale station
Take #9 or #81 bus to transit hub, then #11 bus
9:00 AM – International Swimming Hall of Fame
#11 bus
11:00 AM – Bonnet House
#11 bus
1:00 PM – Old Ft. Lauderdale Village and Museum
3:00 PM – Stranahan House (tours at 1, 2, and 3 only)
4:30 PM – Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art (open until 6 PM)
#9 or #81 bus to Ft. Lauderdale commuter rail station, 7:50, 8:45, or 9:45 PM train – arrive Airport Station, take Airport Flyer bus to South Beach

It looks like this is feasible, though my biggest concern is the safety in the region around the commuter rail stop and on the bus between there and the downtown bus hub. Was also considering a visit to the West Palm Beach/Palm Beach area but all reports suggest the train station there is unsafe and much of WPB near places like the Norton Museum is not good -- and am now very likely to scrap that idea. Am hoping the station in Ft. Lauderdale isn't as bad as the one in WPB -- or is it?

Research suggests all else in Ft. Lauderdale on this plan should be okay.

I've done a fair bit of travel and have taken public transport or walked through notably urban areas on main streets during daylight hours in other cities with no ill effects. I also dress down when I travel -- nothing fancy or expensive (jeans, t-shirt, no wrist watch or jewelry).

Would definitely like feedback on this itinerary, especially from a safety standpoint.

I don't see why not, much of what you want to do is in the same areas. The buss station is not in the best area but there is a ton of people there all the time waiting and changing buses so you should be OK. Buses run pretty late but I would not really want to be in that area after dark though. Just being honest. All though things can take a while though. Stranahan house is nice and walking distance from the buss station and Museum of art. You know I liver right near there and have only been once for the King Tut show. Funny we never get around to doing the things right in our own back yards.

[hurricaneMan1992]

The Tri-Rail shuttle routes and Sun Trolley are alternatives for getting between the tri-rail, downtown, and beach in Fort Lauderdale. This process will probably be slower than you expect (BCT really should run something direct from the Tri-Rail to the beach!!!). The downtown bus station can be a bit sketchy, but I wouldn't consider it dangerous. There is a river taxi service, but I'm not sure how useful it would be.

Remember the Miami Airport Tri-rail station is closed, and the shuttle will take you to Hialeah Market station instead. Try not to cut your rail/bus connections close, or you'll be sad.

In the morning, you could potentially get to downtown Miami and get the 95 Dade-Broward Express bus direct on I-95 to FLL Tri-Rail (saves you a transfer--no tri-rail shuttle bus). This would be advantageous if you live close to 5th st in South Beach.

Another option of getting back is BCT 1 and transfer to MDT S in Aventura. Depending on the schedules late in the evening, your travel time might be similar with just one transfer to worry about...instead of 3 transfers

At any rate, please post the results of your inter-county transit adventure!

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by mango23

I don't see why not, much of what you want to do is in the same areas. The buss station is not in the best area but there is a ton of people there all the time waiting and changing buses so you should be OK. Buses run pretty late but I would not really want to be in that area after dark though. Just being honest. All though things can take a while though. Stranahan house is nice and walking distance from the buss station and Museum of art. You know I liver right near there and have only been once for the King Tut show. Funny we never get around to doing the things right in our own back yards.

I concur. The itinerary seems doable. As long as the OP is out of the bus station before dark everything should be ok.

You should get out and see the Treasures of the Vatican exhibit. It was fascinating and I'm not even Christian.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

I concur. The itinerary seems doable. As long as the OP is out of the bus station before dark everything should be ok.

You should get out and see the Treasures of the Vatican exhibit. It was fascinating and I'm not even Christian.

Is that going on now? My wife would probably like it.

[bachslunch]

All, thanks for the information -- it was very helpful.

The #11 bus worked like a charm here getting between attractions. As far as going between the Ft. Lauderdale bus hub and Tri-Rail, there are dedicated shuttles that run with some frequency.

And the Dade-Broward 95X bus shuttle from Miami was perfect to reach the Ft. Lauderdale Tri-Rail station -- much easier to access from a South Beach location via the "S" bus to the downtown Miami bus island than trying to hook up with Tri-Rail down in Miami somewhere. Just make sure it's the 95X bus to Ft. Lauderdale Tri-Rail you're taking, not the Sheridan Street one.