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Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale bus

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Gainesville - Fort Lauderdale Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 16 intercity buses per day from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale. Traveling by bus from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale usually takes around 8 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest RedCoach Business bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance278 mi (447 km)
Shortest duration5h 50m
Cheapest price$40.99
Trips per day8
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines5

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale

(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Clodyl

September 24, 2023- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: Very nice trip .Thanks a lot the driving was excellent. Cons: The driver must be more friendly.

5.0

Ulysses

September 21, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: It was very pleasant and quick. Cons: Nothing really. Tips: Just have a book to read or a very good call phone or tablet and enjoy the ride.

3.0

Ivy

May 30, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: That the arrival and departure times were accurate. Cons: The space and comfort of the seats on the bus. Tips: Pack jackets and or blankets. People on both trips were cuddling up to me and it probably was because they didn't have something to keep them warm when the bus got cold.

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How much is a bus ticket from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale?

Bus tickets for a trip from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale cost $48.45 on average. Tickets cheaper than $48.45 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average prices by travel date

$75$50$25AprMay

If you're planning to travel by bus from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $49 to $66. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 11, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Fort Lauderdale this week, bus tickets are available starting at $59.

Monthly average prices

$75$60$45$30$15MJJASONDJFMA
Bus tickets from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale are at their cheapest average price in May. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $56. On the other hand, traveling on this route during December might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for December trips cost $64, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $39.44 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale?

There are 5 bus lines from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 6 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US68h 22m$76.93
Greyhound69h 26m$57.85
RedCoach Business46h 18m$77.98
RedCoach Economy16h 7m$63.05
RedCoach First Class15h 55m$86.77

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 6 trips per day from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 6 bus trips from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Fort Lauderdale usually start from $38.

  • Red Coach is an American bus company headquartered in Orlando, FL and one of the most prominent ground travel providers in the United States. Red Coach buses are some of the best in the industry, featuring large reclining seats, extra legroom, flat screen TVs, as well as free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. Red Coach Business service features 18 inch wide seats, foot rests and 2 checked bags. For journeys from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale, Red Coach’s schedule offers 4 bus trips every day with prices starting from $41.
  • Red Coach is an American bus company headquartered in Orlando, FL and one of the most prominent ground travel providers in the United States. Red Coach buses are some of the best in the industry, featuring large reclining seats, extra legroom, flat screen TVs, as well as free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. For journeys from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale, Red Coach’s schedule offers 1 bus trips every day with prices starting from $47.
  • Red Coach is an American bus company headquartered in Orlando, FL and one of the most prominent ground travel providers in the United States. Red Coach buses are some of the best in the industry, featuring large reclining seats, extra legroom, flat screen TVs, as well as free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. Red Coach First Class is one of the most luxurious way to travel featuring 21 inch wide seats that recline up to 140 degrees, footrests and 2 included checked bags. For journeys from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale, Red Coach’s schedule offers 1 bus trips every day with prices starting from $63.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 12 minutes to cover the 278 miles from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 50 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Fort Lauderdale at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 16 scheduled buses that travel from Gainesville to Fort Lauderdale every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 8 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Gainesville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL; ticket prices start at $61.00.

City Information

Gainesville

Blessed with amazing natural landmarks and a vibrant cultural life, Gainesville offers a whole new Florida experience that is far from the decadence often associated with the state. If you wish to explore creative works made by local artists, head over to the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, which features great exhibitions that dive into the life of many inventors and entrepreneurs. Another great museum to visit is the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. For those who want to marvel at the city’s natural landmarks, go for a hiking trip along the trails of Alfred A. Ring Park, or the Barr Hammock Preserve.

Gainesville’s local favorite is the 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which offers delicious briskets. For some of the freshest local dishes, head over to Alpin Bistro.

The main bus station in Gainesville is the Greyhound Bus Terminal located on NE 23rd Ave, which welcomes buses from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and beyond. There is no rail service to Gainesville. However, the city is part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway bus service, which operates out of the same station. The main airport is the Gainesville Regional Airport, which lies in the northeast part of the city.

Fort Lauderdale

Nicknamed the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale offers vast stretches of white sand beaches at affordable prices, allowing the average traveler to enjoy fun under the sun with ease. Fort Lauderdale Beach is the premier destination for beach-goers and nature lovers, and it is noticeably less chaotic than its counterpart at Miami Beach, making it a perfect spot for a quiet and leisurely getaway. Another alternative is the nearby Las Olas Beach, which features clean and refreshing water. Nature lovers can also take an airboat tour to the famous Everglades and get up close to the alligators.

For shopping fans, Sawgrass Mills, a famous shopping outlet with 250 stores, will be a top choice. Don’t forget to take the time for a stroll around the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District and enjoy the setting sun as the day comes to a close.

The Fort Lauderdale Amtrak station is the main train station in the city, offering quick access to other cities in the state of Florida. In the center of town, not too far from the train station, you can find the Greyhound station which is the busiest bus travel hub in Fort Lauderdale. The principal airport in the area is the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport which, as its name suggests, is located right in between the two neighboring cities. However, it's also easy to get from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport for more flight options.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Gainesville?

Main departure station: Gainesville Bus Stop

Gainesville’s bus terminal at 101 NE 23rd Ave is located a few miles north of downtown Gainesville, in a retail area including dollar stores and several takeout restaurants. Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway intercity buses operate trips from this station to cities like Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami. The station building has an information desk, restrooms, and vending machines for travelers’ convenience.

All bus stations in Gainesville:

  • Gainesville Bus Stop

  • 1956 Gale Lemerand Drive

  • Rosa Parks Downtown Station

Where does the bus arrive in Fort Lauderdale?

Main arrival station: Ft Lauderdale Intl Airport - 320 Terminal Drive

Buses arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Ft Lauderdale Intl Airport - 320 Terminal Drive

  • Broward Blvd Park & Ride - 299 NW 22nd Ave

  • Broward Blvd Park & Ride - 216 NW 22nd Ave

  • Ft Lauderdale Intl Airport - 320 Terminal Drive

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