By: Kara Franker
Visit both Miami and Orlando in one trip
Planning a Florida vacation and want to see it all? While Greater Miami & Miami Beach has the best beaches, hottest nightlife, world-renowned culture and an unlimited variety of things to do, Orlando is undeniably the theme park capital of the world. Whether you are driving down from northern Florida or Georgia or flying in internationally, you will want to know how to get from Orlando to Miami to really enjoy the best of what Florida has to offer.
The distance from Orlando to Miami is only 250 miles (or 400 kilometers), so it's quick and easy to get from one to the other. Here are a few ways to travel form Miami to Orlando that will get you Miami's diverse offerings in no time.
Rent a Car to travel at your own pace
Rent a Car
When renting a car, you have several options:
1. Round-trip rental (start in one city, drive to the next and then drop off the car where you picked it up).
Or
2. One-way rental (pick up the car in one city and drop it off in the next; this is helpful if, for example, you are flying into Miami for the first leg of your trip and then flying out of Orlando). You might have to pay a little more to drop off in a different location, but it may be worth the convenience.
It’s a little more challenging if you are going to book a one-way car rental because not every company offers this type of service. Your best option is to rent a car at the Miami International Airport and then return it at the Orlando International Airport. The following rental car companies provide this option:
As previously mentioned, the distance is approximately 250 miles (or 400 kilometers) between the cities. On average, the trip takes anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on traffic and how often you stop for gas and food. During highly traveled times of the year (such as holidays or spring break), the trip could take a bit longer, so plan accordingly.
The quickest route includes taking the Florida Turnpike, which has tolls you must pay along the way. On average, it costs between $10 and $15, depending on your starting and ending points. The Florida Turnpike collects tolls electronically and accepts cash on certain routes. It is recommended to check signage that will indicate if you will be able to pay with cash at the next tollbooth. Make sure you inquire with your rental company and ask them about how they bill for those tolls. Many companies work directly with SunPass, Florida’s electronic prepaid tolls program and will bill you after your trip. Some companies will provide you with a portable SunPass transponder, while others already include them inside the vehicles. Additionally, along some portions of the route SunPass has the ability to track license plates and bill per vehicle.
Take the Bus for an affordable option
Take a Bus from Miami to Orlando
Offering a more affordable option, especially for solo travelers or couples, bus companies also offer transportation between both cities. RedCoach USA offers both business-class and first-class bus service from the Miami International Airport to Orlando. The bus also makes several stops in between the two cities at various gas stations where food is available for purchase. There is a single restroom on board and most of the buses offer free Wi-Fi. Tickets start at around $49 a person and go up from there, depending on the time of year and whether you opt for business class or first class.
Megabus offers comfortable double-decker bus service from the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC - near the Miami International Airport) to Orlando’s Orange Blossom Center. The bus also makes stops in between the two cities where food is available for purchase. There is a single restroom on board and most of the buses offer free Wi-Fi. Tickets start at around $35 a person. Megabus does offer promotions with deeply discounted fares; subscribe on the website to get notices.
Hop on a Train
Ride a Train or Passenger Rail
Travelers are able to ride a passenger rail between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm beach which will eventually extend to Orlando in 2022 (then all the way to Tampa). Although it’s currently under construction, plans are underway for a train service called Brightline. The company, owned by Florida East Coast Industries, will provide transportation from Miami to Orlando with intermediate stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The route from South Florida to Orlando will take approximately three hours.
Amtrak offers rail service between Miami and Orlando. Ticket prices and duration vary depending on the style of train. For example coach seats start at around $39 per person and premium seats (including a bed to sleep on) start around $216 per person. The trip duration can take anywhere between five and six and a half hours, depending on the train.
Taxis are another option
Take a Taxi or Shuttle
It’s possible to take a taxi service between the cities of Orlando and Miami, but it probably is not your most economical choice. Use a website like Taxi Fare Finder to research the cost of transportation to your destination. For example, it would likely cost more than $600 for a taxi to take you from the Orlando International Airport to the Miami International Airport. And that fare could rise depending on time and traffic.
There are also companies that offer shuttle service between the two cities. For example, Florida Shuttle Transportation offers both one-way and round-trip private shuttle service. For between one and five passengers the cost of a trip would start at around $445 and go up depending on the number of people and time of year.
Fly on a plane to get there faster
Book a Flight
A flight between Orlando and Miami takes about an hour, so this is likely your quickest option. You’ll avoid traffic on the highways, although you’ll still need to prepare for enough time to get through airport security. As is the case anytime you choose to fly, the cost of flights can vary greatly depending on the time of year, as well as the brand of the carrier and how far in advance you book the trip.
We hope you enjoy the best of both cities. And to help figure out where to stay, dine and play in Orlando, check out VisitOrlando.com.