Getting around · Miami · United States
Getting around Miami
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Miami's sights are spread between Miami Beach and the mainland, linked by causeways across Biscayne Bay. The free Metromover and trolleys cover Downtown, Brickell and parts of Miami Beach, Metrorail runs to the airport and Coconut Grove, and rideshare fills the gaps. Not for South Beach, Downtown and Brickell, where walking, free trolleys, Metromover and rideshare work well.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- MIA, FLL
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- EASY Card and GO Miami-Dade Transit app
Ways to get around
Metro
Metrorail's elevated lines run from Miami International Airport and Coconut Grove through Downtown, while the free, driverless Metromover loops around Downtown, Brickell and the Omni area.
Metromover is free and frequent — the easiest way to hop between Brickell, Bayside and Museum Park.
Bus
Metrobus routes cross the causeways to Miami Beach, including an express route from the airport, and free local trolleys run loops in Miami Beach, Coral Gables and other neighbourhoods.
Train
Brightline trains run from MiamiCentral in Downtown to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando International Airport, and Tri-Rail commuter trains serve the Fort Lauderdale area.
Ride-hailing
Rideshare is the most common way to travel between Miami Beach, Wynwood, Brickell and Little Havana, especially at night.
Walking
South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood and Coconut Grove are walkable in themselves, but distances between neighbourhoods are long and summer heat is draining.
Cycling
Citi Bike stations cover Miami Beach and parts of the mainland, and the Miami Beach Boardwalk and Key Biscayne are good for cycling.
Car
A car is useful for the Everglades, the Keys and Key Biscayne, but parking on Miami Beach is expensive and limited.
Tickets and passes
EASY Card and GO Miami-Dade Transit app
Miami-Dade's reloadable fare card and official app pay for Metrorail and Metrobus; Metromover and the city trolleys are free.
From the airport
Miami International (MIA) is about 13 km west of Downtown. Metrorail's Orange Line runs from the airport station to Downtown in about 15 minutes, and an express bus crosses to Miami Beach. Taxis and rideshares take 20–40 minutes to Miami Beach depending on traffic. Fort Lauderdale (FLL), about 45 km north, is a busy alternative airport.
Do you need a car?
Not for South Beach, Downtown and Brickell, where walking, free trolleys, Metromover and rideshare work well. A car makes sense for the Everglades, the Florida Keys and for spreading your time across several neighbourhoods.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Everglades National Park | About 1 hour by car | Car or organised tour |
| Key Largo | About 1.5 hours by car | Car |
| Key West | About 3.5–4 hours by car | Car or coach along the Overseas Highway |
| Fort Lauderdale | About 30–45 minutes by train or car | Brightline or Tri-Rail train, or car |
| Palm Beach | About 1 hour by Brightline | Brightline to West Palm Beach, then taxi or rideshare |
| Biscayne National Park | About 1 hour by car | Car to Convoy Point, then boat tour |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Miami?
Not for South Beach, Downtown and Brickell, where walking, free trolleys, Metromover and rideshare work well. A car makes sense for the Everglades, the Florida Keys and for spreading your time across several neighbourhoods.
+How do you get from the airport to Miami?
Miami International (MIA) is about 13 km west of Downtown. Metrorail's Orange Line runs from the airport station to Downtown in about 15 minutes, and an express bus crosses to Miami Beach. Taxis and rideshares take 20–40 minutes to Miami Beach depending on traffic. Fort Lauderdale (FLL), about 45 km north, is a busy alternative airport.
+What is the best way to get around Miami?
Metro: Metrorail's elevated lines run from Miami International Airport and Coconut Grove through Downtown, while the free, driverless Metromover loops around Downtown, Brickell and the Omni area.