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Getting There By Air:

Miami International Airport (MIA)
Tel: (305) 876 7000 or 1 800 825 5642/TALK MIA.
Website: www.miami-airport.com

Located 11km (7 miles) northwest of the city, Miami International Airport is regarded as the ‘Hub of the Americas’ - the primary connecting point for air travel between the Americas and Latin America and a major gateway to Europe. It has the third highest international passenger traffic in the USA and is number one in the USA for international freight trade. Around 90 airlines serve 33 million passengers per year.

The terminal building is in the shape of a horseshoe, with eight concourses (A-H). For easy access to any of the concourses, there is a moving walkway on Level 3. International flights arrive at concourses A, B, D, E, F and G. A new concourse (J) is under construction.

Approximate flight times to Miami: From London is 8 hours 30 minutes; from New York is 3 hours; from Los Angeles is 5 hours; from Toronto is 3 hours 45 minutes and from Sydney is 18 hours.

Airport facilities: Throughout the terminal, there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, snack bars, gift and duty-free shops, newspaper stands and foreign currency exchange booths. A pharmacy (concourse F), a post office (concourse B, level 4) and a unisex hairstyling salon cover additional passenger needs. Car hire firms include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National. There are five Tourist Information Centers (the main one, at level 2 of Concourse E, is open 0500-2400), a full-service bank (concourse B, level 4) and several ATMs (concourse C and G, level 2).

Business facilities: There are data port connections at various locations throughout the airport terminal. For specific locations, visitors should either pick up a white paging phone or ask at one of the Information Counters. There is also an Internet café at the Casa Bacardi restaurant located in the Concourse E food court. The Miami International Airport Hotel (Concourse E, upper level) (tel: (305) 871 4100; website: www.miahotel.com) offers conference suites, boardrooms and other meeting facilities, with catering service available. Many airlines (including American Airlines, Delta and United) belong to the airline VIP club, enabling their business-class passengers to access executive lounges.

Transport to the city: Some hotels provide a free minibus or limousine service to their visitors. In lieu of this service, perhaps the best mode of transport for the money is the SuperShuttle (tel: (305) 871 2000; website: www.supershuttle.com). Minivans depart from the lower level of the terminal outside baggage claim, with 24-hour service to points as far north as Palm Beach and to some of the Lower Keyes. On average, Miami destinations cost US$14-19 one way.

Public transport from the airport to Miami is somewhat complicated. A free 24-hour shuttle bus (departing from the ground level of concourse E, directly across from US Customs) connects with the Miami Airport Tri-Rail station. Tri-Rail (tel: (954) 942 7248 or 1 800 874 7245; website: www.tri-rail.com) trains run from Miami Airport station as far as Mangonia Park station in Palm Beach until about 2100 on weekends or 2200 on weekdays. To reach downtown Miami by train, passengers must travel two stops on the Tri-Rail to the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station and transfer to Metrorail, operated by Miami-Dade Transit Service (MDT) (tel: (305) 770 3131; website: www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit). Metrorail trains operate from early morning until about midnight.

Alternatively, Miami-Dade Metrobuses, also operated by the MDT, and costing the same as the Metrorail, leave from the lower level of Concourse E. Bus 7, which goes to the Government Center in downtown Miami and the main bus terminal (journey time - 35 minutes), and bus 42, which goes to Coconut Grove, both leave every 40 minutes. Bus J goes to Miami Beach every 30 minutes (journey time - approximately 1 hour). The Metrobus Airport Owl Line runs hourly and goes as far as South Beach.

Taxis charge flat fares (tip is not included) from the airport to most destinations (Port of Miami US$24, Miami Beach US$32 and Key Biscayne US$40) and take about 20 minutes to downtown Miami. A porter matches travelers with taxis on the arrivals and departure levels.

Getting There By Water:

The Dante B Fascell Port of Miami (tel: (305) 371 7678; website: www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/portofmiami), under the authority of Miami-Dade County Seaport Department (tel: (305) 371 7678), is the world’s busiest cruise port. As the ‘Cruise Capital of the World,’ it serves more than 3.6 million passengers a year and handles more ‘megaships’ (vessels capable of transporting 2,000-plus passengers) than any other port in the world. The port, near Bayside Marketplace, is home to 18 cruise ships and its terminal has such smart new facilities as VIP lounges and an outdoor observation deck. There is a fair amount of construction happening at the Port. Travelers are advised to consult the website for information regarding accessibility.

Boat services: Carnival Cruise Lines (tel: (305) 599 2600), Norwegian Cruise Line (tel: (305) 436 4000) and Royal Caribbean International (tel: (305) 539 6000) are among several cruise lines operating regularly from the port with services to the Caribbean and beyond.

Transport to the city: The Seaport Shuttle operates between the cruise ship terminals and downtown. Bus 3, 16, 95, C or S goes from Bayside (Biscayne Boulevard) to downtown Miami.

Getting There By Road:

Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road and pass on the left. Right turns at a red light are permitted (unless otherwise indicated) but only after stopping. Speed limits range from 24kph (15mph) to 72kph (45mph) in the city, 88kph (55mph) on most state highways and 88-112kph (55-70mph) on interstates and the Florida Turnpike. Speeding fines are hefty. There are also tough penalties for drink driving - the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.08%. All passengers must wear seatbelts and children under five must be fastened into a child safety seat. All drivers must be over 16 years and are required to hold a current driving license. The State of Florida recognizes valid driver’s licenses from the USA and other countries, as well as International Driving Permits. Visitors who plan on driving should have Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) as part of their standard travel insurance.

The road system is straightforward, consisting of interstate expressways, toll-paying motorways, primary state highways and other state roads, each identified by a number. The general rule for numbering on US freeways and interstates is that the odd numbers go north-south and the even numbers go east-west over their whole length, although at any single, localized point this may seem different.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel: (305) 661 6131 or 1 800 222 1333; website: www.aaa.com) provides information and road maps and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service:
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).

Routes to the city: The I-95 is the major north-south expressway, providing access into Miami from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It runs through downtown Miami and into US-1 (also called Dixie Highway), which continues south to Key West. Another toll-paying expressway, the Florida Turnpike, heads southwards from Orlando and central Florida to the Golden Glades Interchange in the northern part of Miami. The major east-west expressway to downtown Miami is State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway), connecting Florida’s Turnpike in the west with the I-95 and Miami Beach (via the I-395) in the east.

Driving times to Miami: From Fort Lauderdale - 1 hour; Palm Beach - 2 hours; Key West - 3 hours 30 minutes; Orlando - 5 hours.

Coach services: Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) operates three main coach stations in Miami: at 4111 NW 27th Street (tel: (305) 871 1810), near the airport; at 1012 NW First Avenue (tel: (305) 374 6160), near Bayside, downtown Miami; and at 16000 NW Seventh Avenue (tel: (305) 688 7277), in North Miami. Facilities at these terminals range from basic to non-existent. Greyhound operates direct links to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West, as well as further-flung destinations, such as New Orleans, Washington DC and New York.

Getting There By Rail:

Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com) is the national railway provider. With comfortable trains and a reliable and efficient service, Amtrak is an excellent way to travel. For national rail enquiries, visitors should call the toll-free information line (tel: 1 800 872 7245/USA RAIL). Miami’s main Amtrak rail terminal is located at 8303 NW 37th Avenue (tel: (305) 835 1221). The station has very basic facilities, including a checked baggage service, an enclosed waiting area, payphones, vending machines and car hire from Hertz. The station is also fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs.

Rail services: Amtrak offers a comprehensive rail network to cities throughout the USA and Canada, including Fort Lauderdale (journey time - 45 minutes), Orlando (journey time - 5 hours) and Jacksonville (journey time - 8 hours). Silver Meteor and Silver Star trains operate up the Atlantic coast from Miami to New York City (journey time - 23-30 hours) three times daily. Amtrak strictly enforces its two carry-ons, three checked baggage limit. Bicycles are allowed.

Getting Around:




Public Transport
Getting around Greater Miami can be difficult, mainly due to the sheer size of the city. Nevertheless, Miami-Dade Transit Service (MDT) (tel: (305) 770 3131; website: www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit) provides a variety of useful transport options, including Metrorail, Metrobus and Metromover.

At 34km (21 miles), the Metrorail is the longest elevated rapid transit system in America. It runs from Kendall northwards through South Miami, Coral Gables, downtown Miami and then northwest to the Hialeah district. There are 22 stations (each about a mile apart) and the entire journey takes 42 minutes. Trains run approximately every 10-20 minutes, every six minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes after 2000. Exact change only is placed in the slot at the entrance turnstiles. The trains connect to the Metrobus and Tri-Rail. Transfer to the Metrobus (see below), at the Government Center station or Brickell station, must be purchased at one’s original boarding station.

Metrobus (tel: (305) 770 3131; website: www.miamidade.gov/transit/metrobus.asp) operates a comprehensive bus service with 94 routes, some running 24 hours a day. Blue and green bus-stop signs list the routes and destinations. Exact change only is handed to the driver upon boarding. A transfer from bus to bus or from bus to Metrorail costs a little more.

Downtown Miami is served by the futuristic, driverless Metromover (tel: (305) 770 3131; website: www.miamidade.gov/transit/metromover.asp), an elevated, three-loop, fully automated monorail. This links major business, entertainment and cultural centers, hotels, shopping malls, government buildings and the Brickell Financial District, and also connects with the Metrorail and Metrobus. It operates daily from about 0500 to midnight, every three minutes or every 90 seconds during rush hour, with the outer Loop serving Brickell and Omni operating as one continuous loop from about 1900 until midnight. The Metromover is free to all travelers. It is safe, air-conditioned and it also provides unparalleled views of downtown Miami.

The South Beach Local makes getting around South Beach a breeze (website: www.miamibeachfl.gov/newcity/sobe_local.asp). The bus runs every 10-15 minutes and is very cheap; it is the perfect way to explore the art deco historic district or find all the great shopping bargains in SoBe (the locals’ name for South Beach).

A monthly Metropass allows for unlimited travel on the Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover. This pass is available for purchase from the Transit Information Center on the second level of the Government Center Metrorail station and at designated outlets (website: www.miamidade.gov/transit/passtokens_outlet.asp). Passes bought in groups of five or more qualify for a discount. Please consult website for details.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful but it is not the norm to hail one in the street. They are easily available from taxi stands outside most hotels and shopping malls, although it is more common to telephone for one.

Firms include Metro Taxi Co (tel: (305) 888 8888), Aventura Taxi (tel: (305) 599 9999), Coral Gables City Taxi (tel: (305) 899 9999), South Dade Miami Taxi (tel: (305) 448 8888) and Yellow Cabs (tel: (305) 444 4444). All service providers offer flat-rate fares (including tolls but not tips) from Miami International Airport to popular destinations (see Getting There By Air). A tip of 15-20% of the fare is usual and expected.

Driving in the City
Greater Miami comprises 30 municipalities, so familiarization with the major neighborhoods is extremely helpful for drivers. Coral Gables (actually a city in itself), Coconut Grove and Little Havana are the popular neighborhoods in Miami, as well as the downtown area. Miami Beach, a city distinct from Miami, situated to the east, has the lively beachside and shopping center of South Beach. Visitors should also note that Miami is divided into quadrants. Flagler Street runs east-west, thus dividing the city into north and south sections, while Miami Avenue runs north-south, splitting the city into east and west sections. Most Miami addresses refer to these quadrants.

Highway interchanges can be very confusing, so visitors should be sure to read the signs carefully. Main routes include the major east-west expressway State Road 836 (also called the Dolphin Expressway), which leads from Miami International Airport to the major north-south I-95 expressway and onto Miami Beach via I-195. Four main causeways link Miami and Miami Beach and, once there, the A1A (Collins Avenue) is the main thoroughfare running parallel to the coast. The orange ‘sun’ signs visible on selected highways identify official tourist routes - to Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach and the Port of Miami, as well as to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West.

Construction is all-pervasive in booming Miami. Drivers should look for ‘smart’ signs, which convey alternate routes and warnings, and also keep an eye out for construction-induced potholes in torn-up areas. Greater Miami traffic can be terrible; cars can come to an absolute standstill along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue in South Beach during weekday rush hour and weekend nights. Visitors should be aware that short-tempered drivers are as prolific as road construction signs.

There is plenty of metered parking available in Miami but not elsewhere. Visitors should check displayed information for rates and hours of operation. The average rates for parking meters range from US$0.50 to US$1.00 per hour. On weekends, parking garages fill up with shoppers during the day and clubbers during the night, especially in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove. Further information on locations of car parks, hours and rates is available from the Miami Parking System, 190 NE Third Street, in downtown Miami (tel: (305) 373 6789; website: www.miamiparking.com).

Car Hire
Hiring a car is relatively straightforward. Drivers must be over 25 years old and possess a valid national driving license and a credit card to hold a deposit of at least US$500. When arranging car hire, visitors should enquire about an all-inclusive rate and ask how this compares to the regular daily rate. An all-inclusive rate should include all taxes, airport fees and car-handling fees. CWD (also known as LDW), which makes the hire company, rather than the driver, responsible for damage to the car, and SLI (supplementary liability insurance), also sometimes called top-up liability insurance or EP (extended protection), increases third-party liability coverage. All-inclusive rates may also include a tank of petrol and additional drivers. There is usually an extra charge for child seats.

It is worth shopping around for the best rates as these vary considerably. Convertible cars for travel in sunny Miami start at a higher rate than standard vehicles. Free one-way drop-offs are normally possible within Florida, although rarely with the cheapest cars.

Major providers include Alamo (tel: (305) 633 6076; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (305) 341 0936; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (305) 871 3053; website: www.drivebudget.com), Hertz (tel: (305) 871 0300; website: www.hertz.com), Interamerican (tel: (305) 635 3060; website: www.interamerican.com), and Thrifty (tel: (877) 283 0898; website: www.thrifty.com).

Bicycle Hire
While Miami has busy thoroughfares, Miami Beach has smaller neighborhood streets so most hire outlets are in bike-friendly Miami Beach. They include the Miami Beach Bicycle Center, 601 Fifth Street (tel: (305) 674 0150) and Mangrove Cycles, 260 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne (tel: (305) 361 5555). Visitors should ask for a sturdy U-type or Kryptonite lock as bicycle theft is common, and wear a helmet.

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