Cheap train tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota. Traveling by train from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota usually takes 9 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 170 mi (273 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 50m |
| Lowest price | $64.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 9h 52m | $65.21 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $64.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota
The distance between Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota is approximately 170 miles, or 273 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 52 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 50 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Fort Lauderdale at 7:00am and arrives in Sarasota around 9 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Sarasota to Fort Lauderdale.
City Information
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.
Sarasota
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
A culturally-rich alternative to the nearby theme parks of Orlando, Sarasota's Gulf Coast location is hard to resist. It became the winter base for many well-to-do families in the early twentieth century, during which time much of the town developed a subtle Italian feel.
Not only is the climate similar to what you might experience in southern Italy, but many of Sarasota's buildings were constructed to resemble the country's renaissance masterworks too. A good example is the Ringling family's Ca' d'Zan Venetian-style mansion.
The Ringlings made their money from circuses before giving their name to the much-celebrated John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It contains 21 galleries of European paintings, archaeological artifacts, and American art totaling 10,000 objects.
With weather so fine, you'll probably be looking with more than half an eye at Sarasota's numerous excellent resorts and beaches, many of which lie on a group of keys within the city limits. Bonus: our research ranked Sarasota as the #3 cheapest Spring Break destination, so you can soak up the sun on the cheap.
Arriving in Sarasota is equally easy thanks to its Cattleman Transfer Centre and Fruitville Road bus stations. Between them, travelers can connect by bus everywhere from Tampa to Tucson. Amtrak also operates a Thruway bus service from the defunct Sarasota rail station to Tampa for onward connections by train on the Silver Service. This service runs between Miami and New York City via Washington, D.C.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Fort Lauderdale?
Image credit: Phillip Pessar
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Phillip Pessar
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Tri-Rail Station - 200 SW 21 Ter
The Tri-Rail Station in Fort Lauderdale serves local Tri-Rail trains that travel throughout Florida and Amtrak trains to connect with the United States’ largest passenger rail system. Amtrak Silver Service trains stop in Fort Lauderdale along its New York to Miami route. The station features ample parking, indoor seating and restrooms, and two platforms with Mediterranean-style tiled roofs. Located adjacent to Interstate 95, it is easy to connect by highway to your final destination or head a few miles East into downtown Fort Lauderdale.
All train stations in Fort Lauderdale:
Tri-Rail Station - 200 SW 21 Ter
Where is the train station in Sarasota?
Main arrival station: 5600 Fruitville Rd
The Race Trac gas station off of I75 and Fruitville Road is a convenient bus stop for anyone traveling in Florida. Buses frequently stop on their way to Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. While there isn't a formal bus stop, the gas station is fully stocked with snacks and drinks for your trip. If you want something more substantial, there are plenty of restaurants and fast food options nearby. There's also a Target and Winn Dixie just down the road in case you need any last-minute essentials.
All train stations in Sarasota:
5600 Fruitville Rd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Sarasota to Fort Lauderdale?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.