Palm Garage Port Everglades: Rates, Shuttle & Tips 2026

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Palm Garage at Port Everglades is one of two covered parking garages operated by the Broward County Port Everglades Department inside the port complex. The palm garage port everglades charges a maximum of $25 per day with no reservations required, making it a straightforward drive-up option for cruise passengers departing from Fort Lauderdale. Rates start at $5 per hour, and you pay on-site at automated pay stations before you exit (verified October 2026, per porteverglades.net/cruise/parking).

• Daily rate: $25 maximum per 24-hour period, starting at $5/hour
• No reservations: Palm Garage is first-come, first-served — no pre-payment or booking required
• Free shuttle: A complimentary shuttle runs between Palm Garage and Terminal 29
• Oversized vehicles: Trucks and SUVs up to 24 ft use designated surface lots at $35/day
• Accessible parking: Disabled spaces are available in all garages and lots with unimpeded crosswalk and elevator access — no separate rate published
• Off-site alternative: Park By The Ports offers rates from ~$13.45/day with an included shuttle — roughly 46% less than the port garage daily max

Compare Port Everglades cruise parking options — including rates from $13.45/day — on Triply POE.

What Is the Palm Garage at Port Everglades?

Palm Garage is a multi-level covered parking structure located inside Port Everglades, operated directly by the port authority. It sits in the Midport area of the complex, closer to the southern cruise terminals. Competitor research suggests the garage holds around 1,966 spaces, though the port does not publish an official capacity figure on its current cruise pages — so treat that number as a widely cited estimate.

The garage is open for cruise passengers who prefer on-site, covered parking without booking ahead. You pull in, find a space, and pay at an automated pay station before you leave. The port's interactive parking map shows the garage's exact location relative to each terminal — check it on embarkation day, as parking assignments can shift.

Parking assignments across the port can change based on ship schedules and occupancy. Always verify your designated garage on the port's map before you arrive. For a broader look at how all port garages and lots fit together, the Port Everglades parking garage rates guide covers the full picture including Heron Garage, Lots A–D, and cost comparisons for longer cruises.

How Much Does Palm Garage Parking Cost at Port Everglades?

Palm Garage charges $5 per hour, up to a $25 daily maximum, per published rates on porteverglades.net (verified October 2026). The daily cap applies per 24-hour period. For a 7-night cruise, expect to pay around $175 total at the $25/day rate.

The port does not publish information about holiday surcharges or seasonal rate increases. Rates have held at the $25/day maximum based on current published data. Always check porteverglades.net/cruise/parking before your trip in case rates are updated.

How Do You Pay at the Palm Garage Pay Stations?

Pay at an automated pay station inside Palm Garage before walking to your vehicle. You do not pay at the exit barrier — you pay first, then drive out within the grace period. Here is the basic process:

1. Take your ticket when you enter the garage (or note your entry on a ticketless system if in use)
2. Before returning to your car, find a pay station inside the garage
3. Insert your ticket and pay the calculated amount
4. Return to your car and exit the barrier with your validated ticket

The port's pay stations accept credit and debit cards. Whether contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay are accepted at the specific Palm Garage kiosks is not confirmed in current port publications — bring a card as a backup. The port does not publish a grace period duration or a lost-ticket fee, so if you lose your ticket, go to the pay station or contact port staff for assistance before you attempt to exit.

The port's garages are managed in coordination with parking operations staff. If you have a payment issue at a pay station, look for an intercom or call button on the machine to reach on-site support.

Which Cruise Terminals Does the Palm Garage Serve?

Palm Garage is positioned closest to the Midport cruise terminals, and the port operates a free shuttle between Palm Garage and Terminal 29. Terminal 29 is one of Port Everglades' larger berths. The exact cruise line assigned to Terminal 29 is not named on the port's official terminal pages as of 2026, so confirm your terminal assignment with your cruise line directly.

Other terminals in the broader Midport and Southport areas include Terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29. Terminal 25 is home to Celebrity Cruises. Terminals 18 through 26 are widely reported to serve major lines including Royal Caribbean, but the port's own website does not name specific cruise lines for each berth beyond Celebrity and Princess.

If you are sailing with Princess Cruises (Terminal 2) or Disney Cruise Line (Terminal 4), those terminals are in the Northport section — closer to Heron Garage. You may still park in Palm Garage, but you will need to factor in additional transit time or use the port's shuttle services. For a full breakdown of which garage is closest to your terminal, see the Port Everglades terminal map guide.

Palm Garage vs. Heron Garage — Which Should You Choose?

Both garages charge the same rate ($25/day max), but their best use depends on which terminal your ship departs from. Here is a side-by-side look based on published port data and widely reported details:

• Palm Garage — best for Midport and Southport terminals (Terminals 18–29). Free shuttle to Terminal 29. Closer to Celebrity Cruises at Terminal 25 and Royal Caribbean sailings typically berthed nearby.
• Heron Garage — best for Northport terminals (Terminals 2 and 4). Closer to Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line. Older guides refer to this area as Northport.
• Same daily rate: $25/day cap at both garages — no financial advantage either way
• Same booking rules: Neither garage accepts reservations. First-come, first-served at both locations.
• Same payment process: Automated pay stations at both garages before exit
• Accessible parking: Both garages include disabled spaces with unimpeded crosswalk and elevator access. No separate rate is published for either garage.

The practical rule: match your garage to your terminal zone. If you are unsure, check the port's interactive parking map on the morning of embarkation — the port may direct you to a specific garage based on occupancy and ship schedules that day.

Is There a Shuttle From Palm Garage to the Cruise Terminal?

Yes — the port runs a free shuttle between Palm Garage and Terminal 29. This is the only port-operated shuttle specifically tied to Palm Garage, per porteverglades.net (verified October 2026). The shuttle is included in your parking fee at no extra cost.

The port does not publish exact shuttle frequency or a published schedule for this route. Based on the port's general operations, allow extra time on busy embarkation mornings. If your terminal is not Terminal 29, you may need to walk or find your own way from Palm Garage — distances within the port complex vary, and not all routes are covered.

Before you head out, check real-time traffic on Waze for the approach to Port Everglades. Embarkation mornings on I-595 and the Eller Drive entrance can see significant congestion, especially on Saturdays when multiple ships depart simultaneously.

What Are the Best Off-Site Alternatives to Palm Garage Parking?

Park By The Ports Cruise Parking is the primary off-site alternative bookable through Triply for Port Everglades. At ~$13.45/day, it costs roughly 46% less than the Palm Garage's $25/day maximum — a saving of about $80 on a 7-night cruise.

The off-site shuttle at Park By The Ports runs on demand from 7 AM to 2 PM, departing every 15–30 minutes. It drops you directly at the port and is free for up to 4 passengers. Additional passengers pay $10 each. Return pickups run every 20–30 minutes from 7–9 AM and every 40–50 minutes from 9–11 AM — request your pickup via the Park By The Ports return shuttle tracker.

The trade-off is convenience versus cost. Palm Garage keeps you on-site with no shuttle booking required and immediate access to your car on return. Park By The Ports saves money but requires planning around shuttle windows, especially for early debarkation. For a full comparison including oversized vehicle rules and back-to-back cruise considerations, see the Park By The Ports cruise parking guide.

Port Everglades handled a record 4.77 million cruise passenger movements in fiscal year 2025, per Seatrade Cruise. That volume means both on-site garages and off-site lots fill up faster than ever, especially on peak Saturday departures.

Tips for Parking at Palm Garage During Busy Embarkation Days

Saturdays are the busiest embarkation days at Port Everglades, and Palm Garage can fill quickly when multiple ships depart on the same morning. These tips will help you navigate the garage without stress:

• Arrive early: Aim for before 10 AM on Saturday sailings. Demand peaks from 10 AM to noon as most passengers arrive for early boarding windows.
• Use Checkpoint 1 on Eller Drive: This is the main 24/7 port entrance off I-595 East. Checkpoints 2 (State Road 84 / Spangler Blvd) and 3 (SE 17th Street / Eisenhower Blvd) are only open 6 AM–6 PM, so plan your route accordingly.
• Check the interactive map: The port may redirect you to a different garage if Palm Garage is full. The interactive parking map shows current assignments.
• Bring a payment card: Pay stations accept credit and debit cards. Contactless payment availability is not confirmed — don't rely on your phone alone.
• Plan your return route: Know which checkpoint you'll use to exit. I-95 access is via Exit 26 southbound or Exit 24 northbound to I-595 East from inside the port.
• Disabled parking: All garages include accessible spaces with unimpeded crosswalk and elevator access. No separate rate applies — you pay the standard rate.
• Oversized vehicles: If your vehicle exceeds 24 feet, do not attempt the garage structure. Use the designated surface lots at $18 for the first 5 hours, $35/day.

If you are arriving the night before your cruise and need to plan your full embarkation morning, the Port Everglades embarkation day guide walks through the complete timeline — from arrival and luggage drop-off to boarding.

Palm Garage Port Everglades: Is It the Right Choice for Your Cruise?

The palm garage port everglades is the right pick if you want covered, on-site parking with no advance booking hassle and your ship departs from a Midport or Southport terminal. At $25/day, it is predictable and convenient. The free shuttle to Terminal 29 is a genuine plus for passengers on that berth.

For longer cruises — say, 10 or 14 nights — the cost adds up fast. A 14-night sailing at $25/day means $350 in parking fees. That is where off-site options like Park By The Ports start to make a compelling case. For a 7-night cruise, the off-site option saves roughly $80 compared to Palm Garage.

Whatever you decide, confirm your parking assignment on embarkation day using the port's interactive map. Assignments can shift based on ship traffic. Port Everglades is one of the world's busiest cruise ports, and a little preparation goes a long way.

Compare Port Everglades cruise parking — from $13.45/day at off-site lots — and book your spot on Triply POE.