Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary airport serving the Miami metropolitan area and serves as the major gateway between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean. Located 8 miles northwest of downtown Miami, MIA handles over 50 million passengers annually and is American Airlines' largest hub.

The airport operates from a single large terminal building with six concourses arranged in a linear configuration:

• North Terminal - Concourse D: American Airlines hub operations, some international
• Central Terminal - Concourses E and F: Mix of domestic and international carriers
• South Terminal - Concourses G, H, and J: International carriers, Latin American airlines

Note: There is no Concourse I at MIA (skipped to avoid confusion with the number 1).

All concourses are connected airside via moving walkways, meaning you do not need to exit security for domestic-to-domestic or most international connections. The MIA Mover, a free automated people mover, connects the terminal to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which provides access to Metrorail, Tri-Rail, rental cars, and bus services.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport (FLL)

South Florida has two major airports just 34 km apart. Fort Lauderdale is often significantly cheaper and is a common alternative or connection point.

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is located 26 miles north of MIA, serving Broward County. It's a major hub for Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, and other low-cost carriers.

Airlines at Fort Lauderdale:

• Spirit Airlines (largest presence)
• JetBlue (significant operations)
• Southwest Airlines
• Frontier, Allegiant (budget carriers)
• Norwegian, Eurowings (some European routes)

Why passengers connect between MIA and FLL:

• International arrival at MIA, budget domestic connection via Spirit/JetBlue at FLL
• Southwest domestic at FLL, Latin America connection via American at MIA
• Price arbitrage (same destination can be $100+ cheaper from FLL)

Connecting between Miami and Fort Lauderdale:

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
Tri-Rail	45-60 min	$6.50	Most reliable, MIA Mover connects to station
Uber/Lyft	35-60 min	$35-60	Traffic dependent
GO Airport Shuttle	45-75 min	$25-35	Shared van, door-to-door

Step-by-step Tri-Rail route:

1. Take MIA Mover to Miami Intermodal Center
2. Board Tri-Rail northbound to Fort Lauderdale Airport station
3. Free shuttle connects Tri-Rail station to FLL terminals

Minimum connection time: Allow 3.5-4 hours between separate bookings. I-95 traffic between the airports is notoriously unpredictable—avoid taxi/Uber if possible during rush hour (7-9am, 4-7pm).

Pro tip: If staying in Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach, check both airports when booking. FLL is often closer to Lauderdale hotels, and Spirit/JetBlue fares can be dramatically lower than American at MIA.

MIA is located 8 miles northwest of downtown Miami. Travel times vary based on traffic and destination:

• Downtown Miami: 20-35 minutes by car
• South Beach: 25-40 minutes
• Brickell: 20-35 minutes
• Fort Lauderdale: 35-55 minutes
• Miami Beach (Mid-Beach): 25-40 minutes

The most reliable option is the Metrorail Orange Line, which runs directly from the airport to downtown with no traffic delays. The Metrorail station is accessible via the free MIA Mover from the terminal.

Uber and Lyft are available at MIA. The designated rideshare pickup area is on the 2nd level of the parking garage (Flamingo Garage, Level 2):

1. Exit baggage claim and follow signs to "Rideshare"
2. Take the elevator or escalator to Level 2 of the garage
3. Request your ride from the designated pickup zone

Typical fares:

• Downtown Miami: $20-30
• South Beach: $25-35
• Brickell: $20-28
• Coral Gables: $18-25
• Fort Lauderdale: $55-75

Wait times average 5-15 minutes. During peak hours or special events, expect longer waits.

Taxis are available on the arrivals level outside baggage claim. Miami taxis use meters with the following approximate fares:

• Downtown Miami: $25-32
• South Beach: $35-45
• Brickell: $22-30
• Coral Gables: $20-28

A $2.50 airport surcharge applies to all taxi trips originating at MIA.

Metrorail Orange Line is the most efficient and affordable transit option:

• Fare: $2.25 one-way
• Travel time: 15-20 minutes to Downtown Miami (Government Center station)
• Frequency: Every 15 minutes during peak hours, every 30 minutes off-peak
• Hours: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily

How to Ride Metrorail

1. From baggage claim, follow signs to "MIA Mover"
2. Take the free MIA Mover to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC)
3. Follow signs to Metrorail
4. Purchase an EASY Card ($2 for the card) or use the EASY Pay Miami app
5. Load fare and board the Orange Line toward downtown

Key stations from MIA:

• Earlington Heights: 5 min
• Allapattah: 8 min
• Santa Clara: 10 min
• Civic Center: 12 min
• Culmer: 14 min
• Government Center (Downtown): 17 min
• Brickell: 20 min

Transfer at Government Center to the Green Line for destinations including Coconut Grove and South Miami.

Tri-Rail commuter rail is also accessible from the MIC, connecting to Fort Lauderdale ($6.90) and West Palm Beach ($8.75). Service runs approximately hourly.

Miami Beach Airport Express (Bus 150): Direct service to South Beach

• Fare: $2.25
• Travel time: 30-45 minutes to South Beach
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Route: MIA → Downtown Miami → South Beach (Washington Avenue)

MIA offers several parking options at the Flamingo Garage and Dolphin Garage, located directly across from the terminal:

Lot	Hourly	Daily Max	Notes
Flamingo Garage	$5/hr	$22/day	Connected to terminal via skywalk
Dolphin Garage	$5/hr	$22/day	Short walk to terminals
MIA Valet	$8/hr	$35/day	Premium service at terminal entrance

Off-site parking options near MIA offer rates from $8-12/day with free shuttle service. Book in advance for best rates. Popular options include Park 'N Fly and The Parking Spot.

For trips under 3 hours, the cell phone lot offers free waiting for drivers picking up passengers.

MIA has significantly expanded its dining options. The airport is known for featuring local Miami restaurants alongside standard airport fare.

Concourse D (North Terminal):

• La Carreta: Cuban cuisine, a Miami institution
• Shula's Bar & Grill: American steakhouse fare
• Beaudevin: Wine bar with charcuterie

Concourse E:

• Casavana: Cuban sandwiches and pastries
• Lorena Garcia FOOD NETWORK Kitchen: Latin-inspired cuisine
• Corona Beach House: Mexican food and margaritas

Concourse F:

• 5 Boroughs: New York-style deli
• Budweiser Brew House: American pub fare

Concourse G:

• Cafe Versailles: Outpost of the iconic Little Havana Cuban restaurant

Concourse H:

• Chili's: Tex-Mex and American
• Sushi Maki: Fresh sushi and Japanese

Concourse J:

• The Local: Craft beer and gastropub menu
• Café La Carreta: Another location of the Cuban favorite

For the best Cuban food experience, seek out La Carreta or Cafe Versailles - both are local favorites that reflect Miami's culinary identity.

Free WiFi is available throughout MIA:

• Network name: MIA Free Wi-Fi
• Cost: Free, unlimited
• Quality: Adequate for browsing, email, and light streaming

To connect:

1. Select "MIA Free Wi-Fi" from available networks
2. Open your browser and accept terms of service
3. You may need to watch a brief advertisement

For faster, more reliable connections, airline lounges offer premium WiFi.

SIM cards and mobile services are available at several airport locations:

• InMotion Entertainment (multiple locations in Concourses D and E)
• Tech on the Go (Concourse J)
• iStore (Concourse E)

Major carriers available:

• T-Mobile prepaid plans starting at $30
• AT&T prepaid from $35
• Ultra Mobile tourist SIMs

Tip: If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, consider activating a plan before arrival through carriers like T-Mobile, Airalo, or Holafly for immediate connectivity upon landing.

ATMs are located throughout all concourses, typically near food courts and gate areas. Major banks represented include:

• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Chase
• PNC Bank

Out-of-network fees typically range from $3-5 per withdrawal.

Currency Exchange:

Travelex operates multiple locations at MIA:

• Concourse D (near Gate D30)
• Concourse E (central area)
• Concourse J (near customs exit)

Note: Airport exchange rates include significant markups, often 8-12% worse than market rates. Using a debit card with no foreign transaction fees or a service like Wise is more economical for currency needs.

MIA offers extensive shopping, including duty-free for international travelers:

Duty-Free Americas operates multiple stores throughout the South Terminal (Concourses G, H, J) for international departures:

• Liquor and tobacco
• Perfumes and cosmetics
• Luxury goods and watches

Throughout Concourses:

• Hudson News: Books, magazines, travel essentials (all concourses)
• InMotion Entertainment: Electronics and travel tech
• Brighton Collectibles: Jewelry and accessories
• Coach: Designer bags and accessories (Concourse E)
• MAC Cosmetics: Makeup and skincare

Local shops:

• It's Sugar: Candy and novelty items
• Miami Dolphins Team Shop: NFL merchandise

Concourse D (American Airlines hub) has the most extensive retail selection for domestic travelers.

MIA has numerous lounge options, particularly strong for American Airlines passengers and Priority Pass members.

American Airlines Lounges

American operates Admirals Club lounges at:

• Concourse D (Gates D15 and D30): Main hub lounges, largest options
• Concourse E (near Gate E8)

Access requires:

• Admirals Club membership
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
• Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status
• First/Business Class on American or Oneworld partner

Flagship Lounge

American's premium Flagship Lounge is located in Concourse D for:

• Flagship First passengers
• Flagship Business Dining eligible passengers
• ConciergeKey members

Includes premium dining, showers, and dedicated service.

Priority Pass Lounges

• The Club at MIA (Concourse J, near Gate J6): Full-service lounge with food, drinks, and WiFi. Can get crowded during peak international departure times.
• Avianca Lounge (Concourse J): Available to Priority Pass members when not at capacity. Known for good Colombian coffee and arepas.

Credit Card Lounges

• American Express Centurion Lounge: MIA does not currently have a Centurion Lounge. Amex Platinum cardholders can access partner lounges or Priority Pass options.
• Capital One Lounge: Not currently at MIA.

Airline Partner Lounges

International carriers operate lounges in the South Terminal:

• LATAM VIP Lounge (Concourse J)
• Avianca Lounge (Concourse J)
• Copa Club (Concourse J)

Most are accessible with Business Class tickets on the respective airline or Star Alliance Gold status.

Day Passes

The Club at MIA sells day passes for approximately $45-50 when capacity allows.

On-Airport:

• Miami International Airport Hotel: Located inside the terminal on Concourse E (upper level). Walk directly from your gate. Rooms available for day use or overnight. Ideal for very early departures or long layovers.

Near Airport with Shuttle:

• Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon: Full-service hotel with free 24-hour shuttle, pool, multiple restaurants
• Marriott Miami Airport: Connected to the MIA Mover system, very convenient access
• DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Airport: Reliable option with free shuttle
• Holiday Inn Miami Airport: Budget-friendly with shuttle service
• Hyatt Regency Miami: Located downtown, accessible via Metrorail for a city experience

For the most convenient early morning departure, the Miami International Airport Hotel inside the terminal cannot be beaten - you're literally steps from security.

Miami offers beaches, culture, and world-class dining within easy reach of the airport.

Beaches (25-40 min from MIA):

• South Beach: Iconic art deco district, Ocean Drive nightlife, people-watching
• Mid-Beach: Quieter than South Beach, excellent hotels
• Key Biscayne: More relaxed, beautiful state park beaches

Neighborhoods to Explore:

• Little Havana (15 min): Calle Ocho, Cuban coffee, domino park, authentic Cuban restaurants
• Wynwood (20 min): Street art murals, galleries, breweries, trendy restaurants
• Brickell (20 min): Miami's financial district, upscale dining and rooftop bars
• Coconut Grove (25 min): Bohemian vibe, waterfront dining, Vizcaya Museum
• Design District (20 min): Luxury shopping, contemporary art, high-end restaurants

Day Trips:

• Everglades National Park (45 min): Airboat tours, wildlife viewing
• Key Largo (1.5 hours): Snorkeling, diving, first of the Florida Keys
• Fort Lauderdale (40 min): Las Olas Boulevard, beach, water taxi

Getting Around Miami: Rideshare is widely available. For South Beach specifically, walking and local trolleys work well once you arrive. Renting a car is useful for exploring beyond the urban core, especially for the Everglades or Keys.

Weather Note: Miami is hot and humid year-round. Pack light, breathable clothing. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through September but typically pass quickly.