Getting around Miami
Driving is an easy way to get around Miami, but you’ll have plenty of options. You can find desks for rental car companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise and Hertz at Miami Airport. You can also take the Miami Metrorail from Dadeland to Palmetto for just a few dollars. The Metrobus covers the whole county for similarly priced fares. If you need to change buses, make sure you ask for a transfer when you buy your ticket. You can also take the Metromover, a free automated people mover that runs downtown. It’s a great way to see Miami’s most popular tourist and shopping areas.
Why you should take a flight to Miami
Your trip to Miami brings you to the southern-most tip of Florida, near Cuba, where you’ll see a melting pot of culture and diversity. First-time travelers to Miami will find the city welcoming and catering to tourists. But before you break out your bikini and head to South Beach, take some time to explore other aspects of Miami.
Miami flights give way to Coral Gables and Miami Gardens, which are a short drive from the city center. Little Havana boasts one of the largest Cuban populations in the country. Miami visitors should also reserve a rental car for the duration of their trip. Take a drive through Miami-Dade County and enjoy the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. North Miami Beach features more modern architecture and Spanish-influenced designs and landscapes. Flying to Miami for a cheap vacation in South Beach means days on the beach and the nights at some of the hottest clubs in the country.
The Port of Miami – one of the largest ports in the U.S. – accommodates the major cruise lines. Cruise passengers embarking and debarking from Miami will do so via the Port of Miami Cruise Terminal and those passengers on Miami flights will be shuttled to/from the airport to the cruise port. Whatever the reason for booking a trip to Miami, visitors are likely to return home rejuvenated and ready to book their next Miami vacation.
Getting around Miami, FL
Driving is an easy way to get around Miami, but you’ll have plenty of options. You can find desks for rental car companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise and Hertz at Miami Airport. You can also take the Miami Metrorail from Dadeland to Palmetto for just a few dollars. The Metrobus covers the whole county for similarly priced fares. If you need to change buses, make sure you ask for a transfer when you buy your ticket. You can also take the Metromover, a free automated people mover that runs downtown. It’s a great way to see Miami’s most popular tourist and shopping areas.
Miami, FL Travel Information- Although it is not enforced strictly, there is an alleged curfew in effect for minors after 11pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends in all of Miami-Dade County. After these hours, children under 17 should not be out on the streets or driving unless accompanied by a parent or on their way to work. Remember that when you see them at Coconut Grove and on South Beach.
- Around half of Miami’s population is Latin American. Visit the Museum of Hispanic & Latin American Art to better understand their culture. The annual Art Basel Miami Beach is helping the city fast become an art capital.
- Take full advantage of South Beach Nightlife. Miami’s pulsating dance clubs are considered among the best in the world.
- Explore the Everglades in an airboat and get close to the swamps’ inhabitants such as alligators, manatees, raccoons and Florida panthers.
- The largest Botanical Gardens in the U.S., the Fairchild Tropical Garden, has 83 acres of palms and other exotic fronds. From Miami, the drive here through Coral Gables offers great views of some fine old Florida mansions. Open daily, admission is $10.
- If you’re planning on leaving Miami and heading to Latin America, boarding a cruise ship, or transferring to another Miami flight, make sure you have the right identification and documentation with you. Most cruise lines only require a picture ID from U.S. citizens, but those travelers boarding Miami planes to other cities in other countries will need a valid passport.
Miami, FL airport overview
Situated eight miles (13km) north-west of downtown Miami, Miami International Airport (MIA) is South Florida’s main airport. Due to a vast number of tourist attractions and sizable local populations, it’s one of the largest hubs in the US and acts as the country’s main gateway to Latin America. Having served just fewer than 36 million passengers in 2010, the airport is the 28th busiest in the world, with flights to Miami International Airport coming in from most continents.
Unfortunately, though, the airport has a reputation for being slow and disorganized, especially when it comes to luggage procedures. Passengers in transit often miss flights as they are required to clear immigration before collecting their baggage, after which they must then transfer it to their connecting flight. Moreover, it’s common practice for staff to remove bags from carousels and place them on the floor, leaving passengers to crowd around heaps of luggage and compete for a chance to locate theirs. Signage is lacking and unclear, and many airport personnel speak Spanish only.
However, MIA has a wide variety of eateries, bars and retail outlets to keep layover passengers amused. Musical performers also provide entertainment throughout the airport’s public spaces and numerous wall paintings add color and vibrancy to the interior of the terminal building.
