How do you get to Miami?
Getting There7.3/10Easier to reach than about 70% of cities
- Main airport
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
Updated July 2026
Good to know
Good to Know
- Miami International Airport handled over 55 million passengers in 2024, creating potential surge pricing on rideshare services during peak times (spring break, Art Basel, cruise season, Formula 1)
- The free MIA Mover is the fastest way to exit the airport and connect to public transit (Metrorail, Tri-Rail, Metrobus) at the Miami Intermodal Center
- Metrorail's Orange Line offers reliable, affordable ($2.25) access from airport to Downtown Miami in ~15-20 minutes, but requires an EASY Card pass
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) pickups require navigating first-level (arrivals) and second-level (departures) zones; peak-time surge pricing can double fares
- For beach destinations (South Beach, Miami Beach), Metrobus Route 150 offers a $2.25 direct alternative but with limited schedule
- Brightline high-speed rail from MiamiCentral Station connects Miami to West Palm Beach (~1 hour) and Orlando, bypassing car travel on I-95
- Tri-Rail links Miami to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, allowing multi-city exploration without renting a car
- Rental car rates range $50-$80+ per day; customers must be 25+, have valid driver's license and credit card
- Many nomads use Metrorail for cost-effective access to Dadeland South or Coral Gables; free Wi-Fi available on trains
- Key Largo and Everglades (popular day trips) require a car or tour operator; public transit options are limited for these destinations
- Fort Lauderdale is easily accessible via Tri-Rail or Brightline, making it a practical weekend extension without airport hassle
- Taxis typically cost $40 to Downtown Miami with fixed meter rates, while hotel shuttles (if offered) are free—always confirm availability ahead of arrival
Day Trip Access
Key Biscayne
- Highlights
- Historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, beachfront picnics, coastal paths
- Distance From Center
- 20 minutes drive via Rickenbacker Causeway
Access Methods
- Car
- Metrobus Route 26
- Bike
- Rideshare
Fort Lauderdale
- Highlights
- Canal network, golden-sand beaches, museums
- Distance From Center
- 35-45 minutes by car
Access Methods
- Car
- Tri-Rail
- Brightline
Key Largo (Florida Keys)
- Highlights
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkeling, diving, glass-bottom boats, kayaking
- Distance From Center
- 1-1.5 hours by car (64.8 miles)
Access Methods
- Car
- Bus
Everglades National Park
- Highlights
- Airboat tours, alligator spotting, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, kayaking
- Distance From Center
- 45-60 minutes depending on entrance (west or south)
Entrances
- Shark Valley
- Ernest F. Coe
- Gulf Coast
Access Methods
- Car
West Palm Beach
- Highlights
- Norton Museum of Art, historic estates, upscale shopping, revitalized downtown
- Distance From Center
- 70-90 miles north
Access Methods
- Car
- Brightline high-speed rail (~1 hour)
Homestead
- Highlights
- Robert Is Here fruit stand, Coral Castle, gateway to Everglades and Florida Keys
- Distance From Center
- 40.7 miles south (49 minutes drive)
Access Methods
- Car
Wynwood & Design District
- Highlights
- Wynwood Walls street art, public art installations, trendy restaurants, galleries
- Distance From Center
- Within Miami city limits
Access Methods
- Car
- Metrorail
- Rideshare
Delray Beach
- Highlights
- Atlantic Avenue shops and galleries, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, beaches
- Distance From Center
- ~1 hour north
Access Methods
- Car
Oleta River State Park
- Highlights
- Florida's largest urban park, mountain biking trails, kayaking through mangrove estuaries, sandy beach
- Distance From Center
- 30 minutes north
Access Methods
- Car
Bahia Honda State Park (Middle Keys)
- Highlights
- Award-winning beach, historic bridge, diving, water activities
- Distance From Center
- 130.6 miles south (2 hours 47 minutes drive)
Access Methods
- Car
Rail Connections
Metrorail (Orange Line)
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Cost Per Trip
- $2.25
- Operating Hours
- 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week
- Description
- 25-mile dual-track elevated rail system connecting MIA to Downtown Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Dadeland South
Key Stops
- Downtown Miami
- Brickell
- Coconut Grove
- Dadeland South
Tri-Rail
- Access
- Via MIA Mover to Miami Intermodal Center
- Description
- Commuter train linking Miami with Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach via I-95 corridor
Regional Destinations
- Fort Lauderdale
- West Palm Beach
Brightline (High-Speed Rail)
- Access
- Shuttle service from Miami Intermodal Center to Brightline's MiamiCentral Station
- Notes
- Fastest rail option for north-south travel in Florida
- Description
- High-speed rail service connecting Downtown Miami to Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Orlando
Key Routes
- Miami to West Palm Beach (~1 hour)
- Miami to Orlando
Amtrak
- Notes
- Several blocks from main station; limited frequency
- Description
- Passenger rail service; station located at Miami Intermodal Center
Ferry Connections
Bimini Island, Bahamas
- Travel Time
- ~2 hours by ferry (after getting to Fort Lauderdale)
- Accessibility
- Reachable via Tri-Rail or Brightline from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, then ferry connection
- Notes
- Includes customs on both ends; consider Bimini as day trip option
- Description
- Ferry service from Fort Lauderdale (north of Miami) to Bimini
Ground Transport From Airport
Free service; fastest airport exit
- Cost
- $0.00
- Description
- Free automated shuttle on 3rd level between Dolphin and Flamingo garages, connects airport terminals to Miami Intermodal Center/Rental Car Center
Requires EASY Card pass; cheapest public transit option
- Cost
- $2.25
- Duration To Downtown
- ~15-20 minutes
- Description
- Takes MIA Mover to Miami Intermodal Center, then board Orange Line northbound to downtown/south. Departs every 15 minutes, 5 a.m. to midnight
Limited schedule; check current routes
- Cost
- $2.25
- Description
- Direct service between MIA and Miami Beach with multiple stops from 1st to 44th Street
Connects to regional airports and cities north
- Description
- Commuter train linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Access via MIA Mover to Miami Central Station
~15-20 minutes depending on traffic
- Cost
- $25
- Notes
- Typical cost to Downtown Miami; subject to surge pricing, especially during peak seasons (spring break, Art Basel, cruise season, Formula 1)
- Description
- Pickup zones on first level (arrivals) and second level (departures)
Fixed dispatch from arrival level
- Cost
- $40
- Duration To Downtown
- ~15-20 minutes depending on traffic
- Description
- Ground level outside baggage claim
Pre-booked shuttle services; multiple providers available
- Notes
- Pre-booking recommended; offers door-to-door service to hotels, cruise ports, and nearby areas
Direct transfer with locked rates, no surge pricing
- Notes
- Per-vehicle pricing; flat rate confirmed at booking; driver waits with name sign at arrivals
Daily rate $50-$80+; credit card and 25+ age requirement
- Cost
- $50
- Description
- 16 rental companies at Miami Intermodal Center Rental Car Center, accessible via MIA Mover
Check with your hotel in advance
- Cost
- $0.00
- Description
- Many Miami hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle service
Airport
- Name
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- IATA Code
- MIA
- Description
- Major hub serving 60% of Florida's international visitors and domestic travelers
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.