Miami International Airport, located in the state of Florida, serves mainly as an airport to South Florida and a hub for flights between North and Latin America. It is the second main gateway to the United States, handling around 30 million passengers a year. You can fly to about 70 world cities in Europe, North and South America and Asia from Miami Airport.
The airport is also the second-largest base for the world’s largest airline American Airlines.
At the airport, you will find a range of duty-free shops with a wide range of goods, cafes, restaurants, fast food and bars. The airport has ATMs, exchange offices, postal services, assistance services for children and the disabled, translation services into selected languages, medical service, quiet restrooms for families with children, travellers with pets or those who want to exercise yoga in peace.
The airport also has several VIP lounges, an electronic charging station, luggage storage and a spa. Spa centres offering massages, manicures and pedicures on the 2nd floors of the South Terminal H and J.
Direct flights from London are provided by Virgin Atlantic, British Airways or American Airlines for a standard price around £330. The journey takes 10 hours.
The airport has 3 terminals, however, all of them are basically 'under one roof'. You can change the terminals only on foot.
As with all American airports, even if you are just transferring at the airport and flying to another country (purely international flights such as London - Miami - Havana), it is necessary to pick up your luggage, pass the immigration check and check-in again to your next flight. A valid ESTA visa is therefore required for the transfer as well.
Miami Airport Transfer
Miami Airport is not directly connected with the city. You have to first travel to Miami Airport Station where you can choose your preferred transport.
Miami Airport and Miami Airport Station are connected by The Mia Mover train which runs 24 hours a day and takes only 3 minutes. Mia Mover is located on the 3rd level between Dolphin and Flamingo garage.
Airport Station – Miami city centre (Metrorail) – fastest
The fastest way to reach Miami city centre is by Orange Metrorail line from Miami Central Station.
Trains depart every 30 minutes during the weekday and every 15 minutes during weekends.
The journey to the city takes no longer than 30 minutes.
There are 2 Metrorail lines at Miami airport station, going to different directions:
Green Line Board a Green Line train if you are travelling to Palmetto, Okeechobee, Hialeah, Tri-Rail, Northside, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or Brownsville stations.
Orange Line Board an Orange Line train if you are travelling to Dadeland North, South Miami, University, Douglas Road, Coconut Grove, Vizcaya, Brickell, Government Center, Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre, Culmer, Civic Center, Santa Clara, Allapattah or Earlington Heights stations.
Fares
One way single ticket
2.25 USDcurrently £1.80
To buy metro/subway tickets, you must first purchase an EASY Card (
2 USDcurrently £1.60
), for which you can top up any amount.
Airport Station – Miami Beach (bus)
There are buses services (line 150, line J) running 7 days a week from Airport station to Miami Beach (from 41st Street to South Pointe Drive) every 30 minutes from 6:00 – 23:40.
Buses are equipped with luggage racks and comfortable seating.
Fares
Single ticket
2.25 USDcurrently £1.80
Express bus - single ticket
2.75 USDcurrently £2.20
Airport Station – North Miami, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach (Tri Rail)
To travel to North Miami and the other two airports you can use services of a Tri Rail train.
The train runs from 04:00 to 21:40.
In the morning the interval is 20 minutes, through noon once an hour and in the afternoon once every half hour.
The ticket costs between
2.5 USDcurrently £2.00
and
6.90 USDcurrently £5.52
depending on the distance.
Fares
Fort Lauderdale Airport - 45 minutes journey