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There are 7 intercity buses per day from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala. Traveling by bus from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala usually takes around 7 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 245 mi (394 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 20m |
| Cheapest price | €32.96 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Overall score for buses from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Easy/ Comfy. Cons: Better signage showing where the bus would park . Tips: You have electrical for devices but not usb ports for charging phones. They need to know that.
4.0
The first leg of the trip was on a bus that was not Red Coach appropriate. However the driver was super helpful and emphatic to all customers. Great customer service from him!!. The last leg of the trip( Orlando to Ocala) was fine.
€38.00 is the average price of a bus ticket from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala. Any tickets cheaper than €38.00 can be considered a great deal. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Bus tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala are expected to cost between €36 and €45 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Ocala within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €37. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 24 days in advance to save €54.02 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 5 | 7h 28m | €68.99 |
| Greyhound | 5 | 8h 1m | €47.75 |
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 5 trips per day from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach 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 5 bus trips from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 1 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Ocala usually start from €31.
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 394 kilometers from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 20 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.
"Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go."
The first bus leaves at 00:00 and the last bus leaves at 17:00. To see the times for all buses from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Fort Lauderdale to Ocala; ticket prices start at €52.77.
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 the Miami Airport for more flight options.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Forest Service, USDA
Link to image attribution
Image credit: National Forests in Florida
Link to image attributionOcala is where the Florida of theme parks and Gulf of Mexico beaches gives way to the other Florida where traditional southern charm continues to make itself known. Located in the north of the state, just shy of the Florida panhandle, Ocala was established in 1849.
Formerly rich in plantations and citrus fruit orchards, today Ocala is a gateway to Florida's natural landscapes, such as the Rainbow Springs State Park and the Ocala National Forest.
One of the state's largest areas of protected forest, the Ocala National Forest spans a mesmerizing 600 square miles of unspoiled woodland crossed by almost innumerable rivers, footpaths, mountain biking tracks, and horse trails. Learn how to bring your bike on the bus or train with you to save money on renting one there.
But that's not to say central Ocala is free of attractions. The Ocala Historic District contains a blend of residential and non-residential buildings worth exploring. For example, The Appleton Museum of Art has a collection stretching from pre-Columbian tribal objects to the latest in modernism.
If all this has you checking out tickets to Ocala, you'll be happy to hear the city is well served by both bus and train routes. You can catch a bus to anywhere from Tallahassee to Houston, while trains connect the area to places like Winter Haven and Baltimore.
Buses to Ocala leave from 3 stations in Fort Lauderdale.
Broward Blvd Park & Ride - 299 NW 22nd Ave
Broward Blvd Park & Ride - 216 NW 22nd Ave
Ft Lauderdale Intl Airport - 320 Terminal Drive
All buses from Fort Lauderdale arrive at one main station in Ocala.
3873 SW State Rd 200
€14+
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