Heading to Miami? Here's our guide to the best ways to navigate the Gateway to the Americas.
Renting a car is recommended as it’s the most convenient option for getting around Miami beyond the downtown area unless you plan on staying in one area and relying on taxis to get around. There are also eight moveable drawbridges across the city and many toll roads to navigate. When in Miami-Dade County, public transportation is much more accessible and convenient. Let's go!
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By car (recommended)
The easiest and most convenient way to get around Miami is by car, as many of the city’s top attractions are spread out and require multiple transfers on public transportation. Car rental companies can be found at the Miami International Airport and select locations throughout the city. The major routes going into Miami are I-395, S.R. 836, and I-95.
Avoid morning and evening rush hours and give yourself extra time for frequent drawbridge openings. Downtown, streets are divided into NE, NW, SE, and SW at the intersection of north-south Flagler Street and east-west Miami Avenue, where street numbers begin. Collins Avenue is the major thoroughfare in Miami Beach, traveling north-south along the barrier islands.
Eastern Florida's major destinations are within easy reach of I-95 or the parallel U.S. 1. Sometimes called the Overseas Highway, U.S. 1 continues southwest through Homestead and the southern tip of the Everglades, and on to the Florida Keys. Addresses along the Keys are designated by mile markers (MM), with Key West at MM 0.
Keep in mind that there are many toll roads in Central and Southern Florida. We recommend using a SunPass, EZ-Pass, I-Pass (or similar) because the tolls can be quite expensive. It's also tough to only bring cash because as areas modernize, they often move towards electronic-only tolling. If you are renting a car, there are sometimes options to purchase an add-on EZ-Pass (for an additional cost, which can be high).
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Miami-Dade County's public transit system includes Metrobus, Metrorail is a 25-mile long elevated light rail system, and Metromover trams. The bus system extends 25 miles from Miami Beach in the east to West Miami-Dade and from the Middle Keys north to the southern reaches of Broward County. You can also reach Miami International Airport (MIA) via Metrorail For more information on fares and trip planner tools for Miami public transportation, check their website.
Insider tip: Keep quarters on hand for parking meters if you want to try to avoid steep parking garages and valet parking fees. The South Florida Tri-Rail offers service to destinations along the coast connecting West Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, including a stop at the Miami-Dade County Airport.
Walking & Biking
Miami’s main attractions are too spread out to plan to walk everywhere but areas within Miami, such as South Beach, are very walker-friendly. Consider renting a bike for the day to bike along the boardwalks and beaches with packed sand. It's a fun way to explore the beautiful Miami coastline. Although biking in Miami is a fun activity, it’s not recommended as a main means of transportation.
Insider tip: Be sure you lock up your bike whenever you’re not using it.
Taxis & Ride-share
Taxis are widely available throughout Miami. Many visitors (and locals) prefer taxis to public transportation. Taxis are easily found at popular tourist destinations and outside of popular nightclubs and hotels in the evening.
Ride-share apps like Lyft and Uber are also popular options, with the flexibility to set pick-up points and pay via credit card. Just remember that you'll need to download the app in advance and create an account.
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