By: Kara Franker
Traveling to and from Miami International Airport is now easier than ever.
Miami International Airport (MIA) offers more flights to Latin American and the Caribbean than any other airport in the United States. And after undergoing a multi-year $6.2 billion improvement project, now the airport is even more equipped to get you in and out (and on the beach!) as efficiently as possible. Here's what you need to know to help plan your visit to Miami.
Miami Airport Address
Driving to the airport and need to know where to go? If you're traveling Miami by car, plug the airport address into your GPS: 2100 NW 42nd Ave., Miami, FL 33142. The address for the Rental Car Center is 3900 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33142.
To pick up arriving Miami visitors at the airport, follow the signs to Arrivals located on the first level. To drop off passengers, follow the signs to Departures on the second level.
Parking at MIA
Self parking is available in the Dolphin Garage (serving North Terminal D and E) and the Flamingo Garage (serving Central Terminal F and G, as well as South Terminal H and J). Rates start at $2 per 20 minutes with a maximum rate of $17 per day. Valet offers the closest parking option, starting at $18 per hour or $30 per day.
Valet parking is located at: North Parking Lot, Level 2 (across from North Terminal D) and South Parking Lot, Level 2 (across from South Terminal H).
Miami's Transportation Hub: The Miami Intermodal Center (MIC)
Located just east of the Miami International Airport, the new Miami Intermodal Center is the county's main transportation hub. Offering multiple transportation options to the airport and beyond, the center is accessible via rental car, inter-city and local bus services, as well as commuter, heavy-rail and long-distance trains. Even though the center isn't technically part of the airport (it's a development by the Florida Department of Transportation), it is designed to shuttle travelers to and from the airport through an automated train called the MIA Mover.
Miami Metrorail and Tri-Rail
The Miami airport is now connected to the Metrorail system, giving you access to the network of public train transportation that runs throughout the city. The Metrorail MIA station runs an “Orange Line” to speed up access to the airport. The Orange Line refers to the 2.4-mile elevated Metrorail extension from the Earlington Heights Station to the Miami Intermodal Center.
Also part of the Miami Intermodal Center, Miami Central Station offers connections to Tri-Rail and Greyhound bus. Tri-Rail is a 72-mile commuter train that runs north and south along Interstate 95, linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Anticipated future service includes Amtrak in winter 2017.
Miami Travel Tip: There are two apps for iPhone and Android mobile devices that will help you navigate public transportation while you are visiting Miami: the Miami-Dade Transit Tracker and the Miami Trolley App.
Rental Car Center
The Rental Car Center provides direct access to and from the airport via the MIA Mover, an automated elevated train that runs between the center and the airport terminals. The Rental Car Center is located next to the Miami Intermodal Center. Read more about renting a car in Miami.
Airport Shuttles
Some hotels in Miami offer free shuttle service to and from the airport. Check directly with the hotel where you booked your room reservation to inquire about more information.
SuperShuttle is the official airport shuttle at Miami International Airport with multiple kiosks located in the arrivals section of the airport. SuperShuttle offers 24/7 shared-ride options to or from the airport and vans are equipped with touch-screen technology with the ability to accept most major credit cards. Vans can accommodate large groups, families or individual riders.
In addition to the traditional blue vans, SuperShuttle also offers Mercedes-Benz black sprinters, for travelers looking for VIP service at a cost-effective price. The premium service offers upscale, private transportation to and from the airport, business meetings, social events or around town. Reservations are not required but suggested during peak travel times of the year.
There is no free shuttle service from Miami International Airport to Fort Lauderdale International Airport, or to PortMiami, but two shuttle companies offer the service for a fee: SAS Transport Service and Go Airport Shuttle.
Taxi Service
Taxis are available outside the baggage claim area at the airport. Special blue cabs serve the immediate airport region for a flat rate of $10–14. Regular cabs, usually yellow, reach northern Coral Gables for a flat rate of $16; PortMiami for $24, or South Beach for $32. Beyond the flat-rate zones, fares are determined by meters: $6.90 for the first mile and $2.40 for each additional mile. Waiting time is 40 cents per minute.
Express Bus Service
Miami-Dade Transit’s Airport Flyer offers daily express bus service between Miami International Airport and Miami Beach. Buses run every 30 minutes, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. For $2.35 each way, passengers can ride aboard 40-foot buses equipped with luggage racks and comfortable seating.
For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, transportation and more at Miami International Airport, visit miami-airport.com.