Miami International Airport Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Miami International Airport (MIA  ^IATA) is just west of the city of Miami in an unincorporated suburban area at 2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami (☏ +1 305 876-7000). It is one of the largest airports in the world, and an important hub for traffic between North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. As a result, Spanish is just as likely to be understood as English. The international traffic makes MIA a large and congested place. Be sure to allow extra time when departing MIA, particularly if flying internationally, as you may face an hour-long line just to check your bags. Curbside check-in is an excellent idea.

See also: Air travel in the United States

Miami International Airport is the busiest airport in Florida. It's a gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, and a southeastern hub to all major cities in the U.S. MIA also has routes to major European cities, such as London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Madrid.

The predominant carrier at MIA is American Airlines, which has direct flights to most other countries in the Americas; nearly every major airport in Latin America and the Caribbean; as well as most major cities in the US, Western Europe and Canada. Additionally, most Latin American airlines serve Miami from their hubs. MIA also serves as focus city for LATAM from 9 South American airports (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru); and Avianca from 10 South/Central American cities (Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua).

In addition to extensive service to the Americas and the Caribbean, MIA also has non-stop flights to 14 European airports served by American Airlines and several European carriers. Royal Air Maroc operates the only flight to Africa (Casablanca), while Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish and El Al operate flights to their respective countries in the Middle East. The airport has no non-stop service to East or South Asia, or Oceania.

See also: view full list of airlines and their locations at Miami International Airport.

The below are the airlines serving MIA based on their check-in counter locations which can be in a different concourse than the departure location and/or the arrivals location:

• North Terminal
  • Concourse D: American Airlines
• Central Terminal
  • Concourse E: American Airlines, Air Century, Alaska Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Europa, British Airways, French Bee, GOL, Global X, Iberia, JetBlue, Qatar, Red Air, Royal Air Morac, Suriname Airways, World Atlantic
  • Concourse F: Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), Cayman Airways, CONDOR, Eastern Airlines/Eastern Express, Finnair, Frontier, LOT Polish Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Sky Airline, Sky High Aviation Services Dominicana, Sunwing, Sun Country, Volaris/Volaris El Salvador
  • Concourse G: Bahamasair, Southwest, WestJet
• South Terminal
  • Concourse H: Air Transat, Aeroméxico, Delta Air Lines, ITA Airways, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Turkish, United Airlines
  • Concourse J: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air Canada, Air France, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, El Al, Emirates LATAM, Lufthansa, Spirit, Swiss International, TAP Portugal, Virgin Atlantic
• JSX have their own terminal at 13550 NW 47th Avenue over at the Miami-Opa Locka Airport (OPF) which is a general aviation and FBO (Fixed Based Operator) airport for VIP flights.

Note: If you are traveling with the following airlines they may only serve the following area airports:

• Ft Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL ^IATA) Azul (Brazil); Avelo, Allegiant, Silver Airways (intrastate flights & Bahamas), BermudAir, Flair (Canada), Porter, and Western Air (Bahamas). Allegiant, Spirit, Southwest and JetBlue connect South Florida to more destinations through FLL than through Miami or West Palm Beach. Avianca flights from Bogota go to both FLL and MIA while their other flights land in MIA only. Alaska Airlines, El Al, Caribbean Airlines, Copa and WestJet serve only FLL & MIA. FLL is also closer to Pompano Beach, Hollywood and Dania Beach in Broward County.
• West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI ^IATA) Avelo, Allegiant and Breeze Airways. PBI is closer to Wellington, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and the Treasure Coast (further north).
• To all three area airports: Air Canada, American Airlines, BahamasAir, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and United. See the 'By public transportation' section in the below on getting to the other airports in the area from MIA.

Baggage claim for all domestic arrivals are on Ground (1st) Level. Baggage claim & customs inspection for international arrivals in Central Terminal E and North Terminal D are on the ground level while the customs/baggage claim for South Terminal J is up on the third level. Access to MIA Mover Train to the Miami Station (Rental cars, Tri-Rail, Greyhound, Megabus, Metrorail, Metrobus) is located on the 3rd level between the Dolphin and Flamingo garage, in front of Terminal E. See below under "Ground transportation" for more details and under "By public transportation" on getting to the other area airports by Tri-Rail or BrightLine trains.

Additional alternate airports for travelers going to Central Florida, to Key West and the Lower Keys without flying into Miami and then driving another 3+ hrs (or by other ground transport) to get there are:

• Most of the same airlines from the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Central/South America, and the Caribbean listed in the above also go directly into Orlando International Airport (MCO ^IATA) from their cities of origin thus saving travelers the extra time and effort in getting up to Orlando and the Space Coast from here. American and Delta offer direct flights from MIA to Orlando while Silver Airways, Spirit, Southwest and United fly directly from FLL to Orlando at 1hr 10m (direct flight time).
• Key West International Airport (EYW ^IATA) Some travelers from within the U.S. may opt to fly directly to Key West if they plan to spend their entire stay there while saving time in picking up a rental car here and then drive down there (3-4 hrs). Others may choose to fly into MIA or FLL, rent a car, and drive down there; or take a bus or shuttle to get there (see below under 'By public transportation') in order to save money on the airfare or to include additional stopovers in the Florida Keys, Everglades, etc. American Eagle offers a short flight from MIA to Key West while Silver Airways flies from FLL to Key West. There are no international flights to Key West. Direct flight time to EYW from MIA or FLL is 1 hour.
• West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI ^IATA) in Palm Beach County is also closest to the Treasure Coast (Martin, St Lucie, and Indian River Counties) for travelers arriving to the area from the US, Canada, and the Bahamas.

If you arrive from an international location and need to transfer to an onward international or domestic flight, be aware that you always have to disembark and go through immigration, customs, and security screening (TSA) before you can board your connecting flight. This can take up to three hours. Most nationalities also need a transit visa or travel authorization even if they are entering the US solely for transit. See below under "By public transportation" on getting to the other airports in Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach if "connecting flights" means going from one airport to another by train. Plan for more than three hours to make this transfer.

Ground transportation is located at the centralized 25.79698-80.259171 Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) or Miami Airport Station at 3801 NW 21st St at the northwestern corner of NW 21st St and NW 37th Ave. It is the eastern terminus of the free MIA Mover train from the airline terminals. This 3.4 million square feet facility serves as the rental car center, Greyhound & Megabus bus station, the southern terminus of Tri-Rail (Miami Airport Station); Metrorail's Airport Station, and a bus transit center for several Metrobus routes. Taxis pick up from in front of the First Level of each terminal and at the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC).

Your best option is to take a taxi from the airport, use a ride-sharing app, or rent a car, depending on what your stay involves (if you need to get around parts of Miami with no nearby Metrorail stations). MIA has a centralized 25.79695-80.259852 Rental Car Center at 3900 NW 25th Street, next to the Miami Station and is connected to the airline terminals by the free MIA Mover train. It is at the west side of the MIA Mover stop while the other side is walkway towards public transportation. There are additional off-site car rental companies (not inside the Rental Car Center) in the immediate neighborhood north of the rental car center building between NW 25th St, NW 28th St (north side), S Le Jeune Rd (SR-953)(west side), and NW 39th Ave (east side). Ask the off-site rental companies for pick-up locations.

Two freeways link the airport with I-95 and Downtown Miami to the east: the Airport Expressway (Florida State Road 112) and the Dolphin Expressway (Florida State Road 836), both of which charge tolls. If you are approaching or leaving MIA via the Airport Expressway, beware of the at-grade railroad crossing on the ramps connecting the Expressway to the airport terminals. Normally such crossings are grade-separated, but this one sits directly east of one of the runways. Thus, be prepared for the possibility of a 10- to 15-minute delay if a train happens to be there at the same time as you.

Miami Airport Station.  , adjacent to the Rental Car Center and connected to the airport terminal by the free MIA Mover train, is a transit hub with public transportation connections to MIA, including the Metrorail Orange Line, Miami Trolley Flagami Line, and several Metrobus with the following Metrobus routes from the airport:

• Metrorail Orange Line goes downtown at Overtown/Lyric Theater, Government Center, and Brickell Stations. Transfer to the Green Line train going towards Hialeah and Doral is at Earlington Heights Metrorail Station. Both the Green and Orange Line trains run a parallel route towards Dadeland South from Earlington Heights via downtown serving the same stations en-route.
• Route 150 Miami Beach Express Express service to Mid-Beach in Miami Beach along Julia Tuttle Causeway (SR-112/I-195). The bus continues from Mid Beach to South Beach along Collins Ave (SR-A1A) with limited stops. (first/last stop in South Beach is on Washington Ave & South Pointe Dr).
• Route 7/7A Travels from Dolphin Mall terminal in Doral to Miami-Dade College Wolfson campus via NW 7th St. Some trips (Route 7A) detours to the Miami International Airport Metrorail station.
• Route 36/36A Travels from Downtown Doral to South Beach along NW/NE 36 St, the Julia Tuttle Causeway and Collins Ave. Route 36A travels from Miami International Airport station. Stops include Allapattah Metrorail station. The 36A route between Miami Airport and Miami Beach (mid beach) replaces the J Line/Route 110 bus.
• Route 37 Travels from Miami Lakes to South Miami along Palm Ave, LeJeune Rd, and Douglas Rd. Stops include Hialeah Metrorail station, Miami International Airport Metrorail station, Douglas Road Metrorail station, and South Miami Metrorail station..
• Route 56 WEEKDAY & SATURDAY SERVICE ONLY. Travels from SW 162 Ave / SW 56 St to Miami International Airport station along SW 56 St, Coral Gables, SW 57 Ave and Blue Lagoon Dr. Stops include Douglas Road Metrorail station and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
• Route 338 WEEKEND SERVICE ONLY. Miami Airport and Dolphin Mall on SR-836.

Note that the 37 bus and the Green Line train going towards Hialeah pass through some of Miami's roughest neighborhoods, so these routes are not recommended at night or for people unfamiliar with the city.

See the Miami#Get around section for detailed fare information and this Metrobus Link for the trip planner program and route/schedule list.

The "Miami Central Station" name has been reassigned to the Brightline Station and its adjoining retail mall in downtown Miami on 600 NW 1st. Brightline offers shuttle service from the downtown Miami Central Station to MIA, or one can take the Metrorail Orange Line train from the Overtown/Lyric Theatre Station next door to MIA. Construction is underway to include Tri-Rail at that location.

The 25.79592-80.258213 Miami Airport (Tri-Rail) Station is the southern terminus for the Tri-Rail commuter rail line to Fort Lauderdale and Magnolia Park (north of West Palm Beach) with stops to the other area airports and Amtrak in the following:

• Metorail Transfer Station for cross platform transfer to the Metrorail Green Line train (going towards Palmetto Station in Doral via Hialeah) or Amtrak trains at 8303 NW 37th Ave at a separate location, one block up, from the Metrorail/Tri-Rail Station. Additional same station, cross platform transfers between Amtrak and Tri Rail are at Hollywood, Ft Lauderdale, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach Stations.
• Ft Lauderdale Airport Station (Dania Beach) The free Tri-Rail/FLL Shuttle Bus goes to the airline terminals at Ft Lauderdale Airport (FLL) from the Tri-Rail Station. Brightline operates a shuttle from their downtown Ft Lauderdale Station to FLL too. Broward Count Transit (BCT) #1 connects the airline terminals at FLL to the Broward Central Terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale. BCT #4 connects the Ft Lauderdale Airport Station (at Dania Beach) to Dania Beach while the #6 bus goes up to downtown.
• Fort Lauderdale Station is the next stop north from the airport stop serving as the cross platform transfer point with Amtrak trains. BCT #9 and 22 bus go directly from Ft Lauderdale Tri-Trail Station towards Broward Central Terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale via Broward Blvd. The #9 bus passes by on Broward Blvd and does not go into the Tri-Rail station.
• West Palm Beach Station. Transfer to Palm Transit #44 to the West Palm Beach Airport (PBI). From the West Palm Beach Brightline Station, the #1 bus connects passengers to the West Palm Beach (Intermodal) Station where passengers transfer to the #44 bus. Because the #44 bus runs only once every 2 hours, it is better to take a taxi, or use Uber, Lyft, etc.; or other city-sponsored on demand shuttles to the airport. See West Palm Beach#By bus 2 for a list of public transportation providers from West Palm Beach Station. This station is also the same transfer point to Greyhound and Flixbus, and to Amtrak trains.

Additional connections to Metrobus (Miami-Dade County); Broward County Transit (BCT); Palm Tran (Palm Beach County) bus routes and other city operated bus and shuttle services are available at each Tri-Rail station.

Intercity bus companies stop at Miami International Airport, the Intermodal Transportation Center (MIC) next to the airport (Greyhound, Flixbus, Megabus @ 3801 NW 21st); and/or the Cruise Terminals. The other bus and shuttle companies have separate pick-up points in different locations along the front of the terminal. Check with the cruise line or tour operator if they offer shuttle pick-up from the airport:

• Brightline Fixed Route Shuttles, (bus stops) (Multiple locations), ☏ +1 831 539-2901. Daily 6AM-11PM. Direct connections to Miami Central Station (Brightline) at 161 NW 6th St in downtown from several locations at the airport. $10 first person, $5 per additional persons of same party. (updated Sep 2023)
• Flixbus, (bus stops) (Multiple locations) (There are more than 3 separate stops in Miami and Miami Beach. Check tickets for specific location.). Connects with the Orlando area via Port St Lucie, W Palm Beach and Ft Lauderdale. Multiple departures daily. From $15. (updated Feb 2021)
• 25.79736-80.257324 Greyhound Bus Lines, Flixbus, (bus station) 3801 NW 21st (Next to the Tri-Rail Station, connected to Intermodal Center by pedestrian bridge), ☏ +1 305-871-1810, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Service from Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Ft Myers, Naples, Treasure Coast and Ft Lauderdale on different routes. They also go south to Key West. Local stops in the area are in Hollywood, Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Some of their buses make additional local stops in Boynton Beach Tri-Rail and Boca Raton. 
• Jet Set Express, (bus stop) Miami International Airport (Terminal J, Door 26 on the 2nd level), ☏ +1 407 649-4994. Venue at stop open 24/7. Thrice-daily departures to Ft Pierce, Kissimmee, Orlando from the Miami International Airport and the Regency Hotel near the airport. They also have additional stops in Miami Beach, the cruise terminal and downtown Miami. Check schedules as those other stops are serviced once or twice daily. (updated Jul 2019)
• Keys Shuttle, (shuttle stop) Ground level between Terminals D & E at MIA (Exit through door 7 or 8 ARRIVALS and cross crosswalk between doors 7 and 8, cross TWO SETS of lanes (first set is for taxis, second is for private vehicles), to the wide median, to your right you will see a waiting room with a glass wall, just to the left of the waiting room is our sign "KEYS SHUTTLE".), ☏ +1 305-289-9997, toll-free: +1-888-765-9997. The company provides door-to-door service to the Keys from the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airports (and vice versa). (updated Sep 2017)
• 25.79695-80.257635 Megabus, (bus station) 3801 NW 21st (MIA Intermodal Center; terminal connected from Intermodal Center by pedestrian bridge). Service from Orlando via Ft Lauderdale. 
• Miami to Key West Bus, Pre-arranged hotel pick up in Sunny Isle Beach, Miami Beach and downtown Miami, ☏ +1 305 423-9045. Daily. Pick up for Orlando 5AM to 6AM and to Key West begin at 7:15AM. Motorcoach transportation services and escorted tours to Key West from Miami.They also offer one way transportation services to Orlando and local bus/boat tours in Miami. (updated Sep 2017)
• Our Bus (Operated by different bus companies on contract to Our Bus), Terminal B of the Port of Miami Cruise Terminal, ☏ +1 844 800-6828. Operates service to/from Ft Lauderdale Airport, Tampa, Sarasota and Ft Myers. Fares range from $10 to $22 or more. 
• Redcoach, (bus stop) 21 Miad Circle (Departure Level, Concourse H, red bus stop #5 at Miami International Airport), ☏ +1 407-851-2843, toll-free: +1-877-733-0724. Service from Tallahassee via Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando, W Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale. They also run a separate route to Naples and Ft Myers from Miami. (updated Sep 2017)

The MIA Mover is an elevated train that connects the main terminal to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) Station located between the Rental Car Center and Miami Airport (Tri-Rail) Station outside the airport. The MIA Mover Station at the main Terminal is between the two main parking garages, accessible from the 3rd floor of the Central Terminal.

There is a system of moving walkways on the 3rd floor of the terminals, called the "Skyride Connector", that connects the terminals and the MIA Mover station, but only landside. There's virtually no airside transportation between the terminals, so if you have to change between terminals to make a connection, you will have to go through security again. The only exceptions are a people mover post-security (the "Skytrain", operating 4AM–11:45PM) that allows for quick connections between gates in Concourse D, stopping at Gates D17, D24, D29 and D46, a walkway that connects terminals D and E, and Concourse E also has a people mover post-security on the 4th Level that connects the terminal with the satellite building.

There are a few small art galleries in and around the walkway connecting concourses D and E.

• Plane Fun (Near gate E7). An aviation-themed educational children's play area, made by the Miami Children's Museum. (updated Dec 2017)

• American Airlines Lounges. (updated Apr 2018)
  • Admirals Club, Across from D15. Closed for removations. (updated Apr 2018)
  • Flagship Lounge. 4:30AM - 11:30PM. Available for American First Class passengers as well as Concierge Key, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, and Oneworld Emerald cardholders. (updated Apr 2018)
• American Expression Centurion Lounge (Near D12). (updated Apr 2018)
• Military Hospitality Lounge, Concourse E, Level 2. 9AM-9PM. US and Allied active duty and retired military travelers and their authorized dependents gain entry after showing their government-issued military ID and evidence of same day travel. (updated Apr 2018)
• Executive Conference Center. (updated Apr 2018)
• Premium Lounge. (updated Apr 2018)
• Consular Lounge. Special lounge for visiting diplomats. (updated Apr 2018)
• Club America F. $50 for a day pass. (updated Apr 2018)
• Delta Sky Club. (updated Apr 2018)
• The VIP Lounge. (updated Apr 2018)
• The Avianca Lounge. (updated Apr 2018)

MIA has several restaurants ranging from local chains such as La Carreta to national chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King and Starbucks.

• The Counter (Gate D32), ☏ +1 305 876-0890. 7AM–10PM daily. "Build your own burger" restaurant—pick a type of burger, bun, and toppings. (updated Dec 2017)

MIA has several retail stores, including several magazine stands and bookstores. Other retail stores include Brookstone and Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Wireless internet is available from Boingo. It's free for 45 minutes (after you watch an ad), and you can pay for more. It only works in some parts of the terminals.

• Left luggage services are available in the Central Terminal, Concourse E, 2nd level. Open 5PM-9PM. Daily storage fees range from $4-17 depending on size, and the maximum storage time is 60 days.
• A non-denominational chapel is in the North Terminal, 4th level.
• Lost and found is in the North Terminal, 4th level. Open 8AM-6PM.
• There are eight freestanding lactation pods for nursing mothers, providing privacy and security in a 4-foot by 8-foot booth. There's one in each concourse (two each in Concourse D and Concourse E).

There is only one hotel in the airport, though there are numerous hotels in the vicinity; hotel shuttles pick up from in front of the 2nd Level of each terminal:

• 25.795-80.27891 MIA Hotel, Central Terminal, Concourse E, Level 2, ☏ +1 305 871-4100, toll-free: +1-800-327-1276, fax: +1 305 871-0800. The only hotel on-site at the airport. 

There are additional hotels near and accessible from the Airport Station (car rentals, Greyhound, Megabus, Tri-Rail, Metrobus, Metrorail, etc.) with direct connections to the airline terminals by the MIA Mover Train and by their own shuttles:

• 25.7994-80.25372 Element Miami (operated by Marriott), 3525 NW 25th St, ☏ +1 305 636-1600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 25.7993-80.25243 Even Hotel Miami (operated by IHG), 3499 NW 25th St, ☏ +1 305 636-7000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 25.7999-80.26354 Holiday Inn Express (operated by IHG), 2601 NW 42nd Ave, ☏ +1 305 875-5555. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 25.7947-80.25855 Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center (opearted by Marriott), 3900 NW 21st St, ☏ +1 305 871-3800. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 25.7992-80.25586 Staybridge Suites at Miami Airport (operated by IHG), 2651 NW 25th St, ☏ +1 786 329-1413. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 25.7993-80.251247 Raddison RED (operated by Choice Hotels), 3401 NW 25th St, ☏ +1 786 798-6369. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)

The town of Brownsville is close to the airport and easily accessible by Metrorail ("Brownsville Metrorail Station"), which is in an unsafe neighborhood. It is better to take Metrorail all the way to downtown Miami (to Brickell, Government Center or Overtown Stations) if you're looking to spend a few hours outside the airport.

END ←	W  S	→ Miami → Kendall
Miami ← Hialeah ←	N  S	→ END