We rode the free World Cup shuttle. Here's what to expect

Earlier this month, officials announced the county would offer free shuttle service to and from Hard Rock Stadium for the World Cup.

So ahead of Monday's match — the first of seven in South Florida — I wanted to test it out.

Why it matters: If efficient, a free shuttle service could drastically improve the fan experience and cut additional expenses for an already costly event. (Parking passes cost upwards of $175.)

Between the lines: The service is available only for verified ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis.

The hubs: Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza Metrorail Station, Golden Glades Multimodal Transit Station / Tri-Rail, Aventura Brightline Station and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

How it went: I arrived at MLK Jr. Plaza at 2:30pm and there were already 100+ people in line.

By the time I found parking and got myself in line, it was about a 15-minute wait before boarding a bus and departing around 3pm.

Yes, but: The line had doubled by the time I had boarded, so get there early.

The line doubled in the short time I was waiting. Photo: Sommer Brugal/Axios

Meanwhile, back on the bus, fans were playing music loudly (not a headphone in sight!) and talking excitedly amongst themselves.

After a roughly 45-minute ride, the drop-off was about a 15-minute walk to the entrance of the stadium.

Pro tip: Take a ride share or get dropped off at the depot: The MLK Jr., Plaza didn't have parking for folks who drove. I was lucky and found neighborhood street parking, but it was limited.

Bring a water bottle. You won't be able to bring a bottle into the stadium once it's open, but you'll want one while waiting in line. (The lines are outside and uncovered.)

Friction point: Getting to the buses after the game was pretty seamless — signs directed fans where to go and lines moved quickly.

But bumper-to-bumper traffic on the roads and more at the depot (where dozens of charter buses arrived at the same time needing to let people off in the same spot) made the ride home a bit arduous.

The bottom line: The county's free shuttle is worth it if you're trying to save on parking. It's time-consuming but effective.