Where would they pick up amtrak to get to Ft Lauderdale? If you say Orlando or Kissimmee,then its better to just drive

Megabus. Nice, with wifi, 3.5 hrs. Her relatives can pick her up at the end point, or she can take an Uber from there. Bus from Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood to Orlando with megabus

If you, or your friend, are Costco members, check with them (Costco Travel) for rental cars. When we came for our Lifestyle Visit last year in Sept, Costco was much cheaper for a rental car. We rented an intermediate SUV for a week for $320, plus received a $20 Costco cash card. Plus, if you lock in a rental with them, and the rate goes down prior to your travel dates, they will give you the lower rate. If the rate goes up, you keep the lower price you originally booked.

If you rent a car, you should rent the car through Costco. Costco resells four major rental car companies at a discount. They also give you the second driver for free. Sometimes we’ve saved hundreds of dollars on the car rentals through Costco, enough savings to pay for years of the Costco membership fee.

If you fly into or out of the MIA airport, be aware that airport is a totally trashy airport! Almost no seating in the waiting areas. The seats were ripped up and taped together with duct tape! There were almost no signs, so it was hard to nativgate around the MIA airport. The MIA airport is totally different than Orlando, Tampa, and Ft Myers, which are all nice. The MIA airport is far worse than any third world airport we’re traveled through.

Once again solid advice from the village tinker. This forum is a great resource.

I’ll confirm that Dave. Back in the mid 90s I flew into Miami quite late at night. Somehow made it to the offsite rental car office but had to make three stops for directions in English. Mi espanol no es bueno.

We lived in Fort Lauderdale for a while and their airport is great. Clean, efficient, small enough to navigate quickly, flights on time (unless weather got involved) Use Uber in the FtL area. Cheap & easy

If you fly from MCO to FLL Spirit Airlines fare is $55 round trip weekdays and United $81 r/t weekdays too!

Take the train from Orlando to Miami. Pleasant ride and very reasonably priced.

Best site for this or any transportation comparison:
Rome2rio: discover how to get anywhere
Put in two cities .

Rent a car 🚗

PS we drive it alot
3.45 hours to ft Lauderdale
From rt 44 morse to aventura area . If no stopping. Mostly no traffic except within last 40 miles of south end .

Car rentals are very expensive right now if available.

Don't use an airport rental company. They add an additional airport tax to their rentals. There is an Enterprise office in Lake Sumter.

I drive that trip often. 75 all the way. There are a lot of rest stops along the way, clean bathrooms, good coffee and gas fill-ups. Toll’s apply, but it’s worth it.