Most travelers coming to Miami Beach arrive by air, traveling into Miami International Airport. MIA is located within the middle of the city of Miami, so it is only a 20-minute drive to South Beach. MIA is a major hub for American Airlines, but most major domestic and international carriers offer flights into Miami.
MIA is a huge, sprawling place in which you'll hear lots of foreign languages - this is a great introduction to the diversity that is Miami and Miami Beach! You'll hear official announcements in English, Spanish, and Creole, but also countless other languages as you pass through the terminal.
All baggage claim services are on the lower level, so look for the escalators, stairs, or elevators when you exit your arrival concourse. There is no need to hurry, for baggage generally takes a while to appear. (There is certainly time to grab a stimulating cafecito or a cafe con leche at one of the ubiquitous Cuban restaurants in the terminal!) If you've got a lot of luggage to collect, you might want to rent a self-service cart in the baggage claim area, but ground transportation is not far away, so you may not need one.
There are a number of options for getting from the airport to your hotel, based on your budget, time, and sense of adventure:
Taxi
|
|
Pros
|
|
Cons
|
|
Approximate
Cost
|
|
Approximate
Travel Time
|
This is the most direct way to your hotel. You will find taxi counters right outside the door - just let the attendant know where you are going, and s/he will direct you to a waiting car. Cash preferred, but most cabs accept credit cards. (Central Cab is Miami Beach's primary cab company, but many companies provide airport service.)
|
Quick and convenient
|
|
Expensive
|
|
Varies by destination; for all South Beach locations the fare is $32 (plus tip)
|
|
20–25 minutes
|
Shuttle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Super Shuttle is a shared-ride van that will deliver you directly to your hotel. Look for the Super Shuttle counter just outside the terminal, and tell the attendant where you are going. S/he will give you a receipt for the driver. Stand nearby and the attendant will signal you when the van going to your general location arrives. Give the driver the exact address or hotel name, and you pay the driver when you arrive at your destination. Cash preferred, but credit cards are accepted.
|
Economical
|
|
Can sometimes take more than an hour to get to your hotel
|
|
Varies by destination; all South Beach locations $19 (plus tip)
|
|
30–70 minutes
|
Rental Car
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miami Beach was developed in the days when visitors arrived by train, so the streets are narrow and parking is a nightmare. You're much better off without a car, but if you insist, every major rental car company has a counter in the baggage claim level. You'll board a shuttle bus to be taken to the car lot. Rental companies serving MIA
|
Independence
|
|
High cost of hotel parking, and difficulty in finding spots
|
|
Varies by company
|
|
60 minutes
|
Bus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is possible to get to South Beach by bus, but this is not for the faint of heart. Upon exiting the terminal at Concourse E, cross the traffic lanes to reach the Metro-Dade Transit bus stop. Insert exact change ($1.50 in coins and/or bills) into till, but also pay the driver an additional $.50 for a transfer. The Route J will take you to 41st Street on Miami Beach; you'll need to exit the bus here and use the transfer to board the Route L, which will take you as far as Lincoln Rd and Washington Av.
|
Very inexpensive
|
|
A pain if you have lots of luggage
|
|
$2.00 ($1.50 for base fare and $.50 for transfer)
|
|
90-120 minutes
|