Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary airport serving Miami and its surrounding areas. As one of the busiest airports in the United States with nearly 56 million passengers annually, it’s a hub for American Airlines and a major gateway for Latin American and Caribbean destinations, flying to over 150 destinations with seasonal peaks reaching 175 routes, including cities across Europe and select connections to Asia and the Middle East.
Terminal information and tips
MIA is divided into three main terminals: North (Concourse D), Central (Concourses E, F, G) and South (Concourses H, J). They’re arranged in a U-shape, but each terminal has a different layout.
The North Terminal/Concourse D is the main concourse for American Airlines, and it’s a mile long. Fortunately, there’s a Skytrain that runs most of the length of the concourse. The Central Terminal serves a mix of airlines including American and various international carriers from different alliances, while the South Terminal primarily hosts non-Oneworld airlines including Delta and several Star Alliance carriers.
The terminals are connected both landside and airside, and it’s relatively easy to transfer between them. However, walking distances can be long, so budget extra time if you have a connection between terminals.
This might be an odd tip, but bring layers when you visit this airport. MIA is the coldest airport I've ever been to, and I've flown to Antarctica. For some reason, the air conditioning is always working on overdrive, and while I'm grateful for cold air in a very hot city, it's almost too cold at MIA.
Security lines and immigration
Security lines at MIA can be long, especially during peak travel times. It's recommended to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. As a major gateway for international travel, MIA immigration can also have long lines, so prepare for possible delays when arriving from abroad. MIA offers TSA PreCheck and CLEAR for expedited security screening and Global Entry for expedited immigration.
The best way to get between the airport and the city center
Miami is a spread-out city with different neighborhoods that serve as hubs, so you might not actually be heading for the city center. If you are going downtown, there's an option to take public transportation. But if you're traveling elsewhere in Miami, you'll want to either take a taxi or rideshare, or rent a car and drive yourself.
The Metrorail's Orange Line provides a direct connection between MIA and downtown Miami. The MIA Station is located at the airport's Rental Car Center/Central Station; the trip to downtown Miami takes about 15 minutes. Overall, the metro network isn't particularly extensive, but it does get you downtown quickly and cheaply. Generally speaking, though, most people drive or take taxis in Miami, as it’s easier than relying on public transportation.
Taxis and rideshares are plentiful at MIA, and they’re usually cheaper here than in other cities like New York and Los Angeles. This is my preferred method of getting around Miami, since everything is so spread out. You can rent a car, too, but you’ll have to take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center, which is located away from the terminal.
The best way to get between the airport and the cruise port
PortMiami is the world's busiest cruise port, so it's no surprise that many people flying into Miami are here for a cruise. It takes about 15 minutes to drive between the airport and cruise port; most cruise lines have shuttles that you can book, but wait times can be long. For a quicker transit, take a taxi or rideshare.
That said, it's a good idea to arrive at least one day before your cruise, just in case there are any flight delays. Many airport hotels offer shuttles to the cruise port (as well as to and from the airport!)
The best way to get between the airport and the beach
Taxis and rideshares are one way to get to Miami Beach, but this is one case where public transportation is reasonable, too. Take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center/Central Station, and from there, catch the #150 bus, also known as the Miami Beach Airport Express. It runs every 20 to 30 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. and gets you there without the beach traffic headache.
Things to do during a layover
As a major international airport, MIA is a popular layover spot, and you may find yourself waiting all day to take a red-eye flight. Depending on the length of your layover, you may be able to leave the airport for a fun little excursion. But given Miami’s heavy traffic and the airport’s long security lines, staying put isn’t always a bad idea.
Less than four hours
If your layover is less than four hours, you’re best off staying at the airport. There’s plenty of shopping and dining, as well as a yoga room and a multi-faith chapel. But again, please wear layers, as it's super cold here! Worst case scenario, you can buy a sweater in one of the shops.
Four to six hours
Four to six hours might just give you enough time to squeeze out for a local bite to eat or a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy Miami's sunny weather. I love visiting Versailles Cuban restaurant on medium-length layovers, it’s only a 10-minute drive from the airport, and the service is fast.
There’s a baggage storage facility at MIA, located in the Central Terminal. For a small fee, you can store your bags here for a few hours while you leave the airport. It’s only open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., though, not during overnight hours, so pay close attention to timing. You can, however, store your bags overnight, but you won't be able to pick them up until the facility opens.
More than six hours
With more than six hours to spend at MIA, there's time to explore a little more of Miami. The most important thing is to keep traffic in mind, as you don’t want to miss your connecting flight! Consider taking the train downtown, Brickell City Centre has shopping and dining. You can also visit Wynwood to see its famous murals and go brewery hopping.
If you have at least eight hours, you might even consider spending the day on the beach! Or you can just enjoy strolling around the Art Deco buildings of South Beach and people watching. Even if you take the bus, be mindful of traffic, as it can sneak up on you quickly.
Or if you’d prefer to relax during your long layover, book a room at the Miami International Airport Hotel, which is located inside the Central Terminal E on the landside. The hotel offers day rooms from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. based on availability, so you can take a nap and a shower.
Alternative airports
If you’re flying American Airlines, you’ll likely be flying into and out of MIA. But there are other airports in nearby cities if you’re flying other airlines, and flights might be cheaper. It’s worth checking them out, but keep in mind that MIA is the most convenient airport to Miami.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
FLL is about 21 miles away from MIA, or about 30 minutes with no traffic, though there can be heavy traffic during rush hour. It’s a reasonable alternative, especially because flights are often cheaper here. Plus, the airport is smaller and usually less crowded, which many travelers prefer. (And in my experience, it’s not nearly as cold as MIA.)
You’ll need to factor in the cost of getting between FLL and Miami. It’ll be a long taxi or rideshare, especially if there’s traffic (and there often is). But there’s also Brightline’s Airport Connector shuttle service between FLL and the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station, which then connects via train to MiamiCentral station in downtown Miami.
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
PBI is even farther north, and it’s less convenient than FLL. It's not the most convenient alternative airport given this distance. The drive can take anywhere from 70 minutes to well over two hours, depending on traffic. But Palm Beach and Miami are also connected by the Brightline train, which makes PBI a viable alternative if you find a solid airfare deal there.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
