How to Navigate Miami: Tips for Visitors
Miami’s major sights aren’t concentrated in one area, which means that any trip to the city will involve jumping from one sprawling neighborhood to another. Therefore, whether you prefer a car, bus, or the Metrorail, your best bet for exploring is by using a set of wheels.
One of the most frequently visited areas is Miami Beach, known for some of South Florida’s hottest nightlife, picturesque beaches, and its most iconic art deco hotels. However, if you cross the causeway into Miami, you’ll find historic sites and museums in Downtown, street art in Wynwood, luxury shopping in the Design District, and tranquil neighborhood attractions in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.
Fast highways, buses, and the Metrorail (along with its little sister, the Metromover) connect these attractions. It’s worth considering a rental car or opting for a rideshare app, as this is the easiest way to reach many parts of the city quickly and efficiently. Consequently, the humidity and heat can make walking a sweaty affair during most of the year.
You Can Explore Most Neighborhoods by Car
There’s no doubt about it—the most straightforward way to see Miami is by car. While the city’s population is smaller than places like New York City or Chicago, urban sprawl makes it nearly impossible to traverse on foot. Additionally, although there are some public transportation options available, several are limited in coverage and can often be unreliable.
If you want to jump between Miami Beach and Miami, you’ll need to cross one of four causeways (the MacArthur, the Venetian, the Julia Tuttle, or the John F. Kennedy). Thus, going by car is the easiest way to facilitate this commute.
Understanding Miami’s Roads
Miami is relatively easy to navigate as it’s laid out in a logical grid system organized by ascending and descending numbers. Finding your destination is straightforward; for example, “the restaurant is on the corner of 8th St and 14th Ave.”
Major expressways like the Dolphin/836, the Palmetto/826, the I-95, and the Florida Turnpike are some of the key routes to note. Be aware that tolls for these roads are automated, so inquire about options to include tolls on the SunPass scheme if you are renting a vehicle. Great deals on car rentals in Miami can be found, with rates starting as low as $30 per day through usual international hire companies at the airport.
Top Tips for Driving in Miami
Parking is a must nearly everywhere in Miami, and failure to do so can lead to swift towing, costing you upwards of $200 along with the headaches of retrieval.
Most on-street parking is now done through smartphone apps or phone payments, although some locations still feature pay-and-display ticket machines. Municipal parking garages are often the easiest and cheapest option—keep an eye out for giant blue “P” signs.
Alternatively, Leave the Driving to the Pros and Use a Rideshare
Driving in Miami isn’t for the faint of heart, which is where taxis—and rideshares—become invaluable. Services such as Uber, Lyft, and Alto are popular in the city. Moreover, rideshares can cater to special needs, including car seats for kids, wheelchair access, and pet-friendly vehicles.
Another advantage of rideshares is the elimination of parking woes. Miami and Miami Beach have notoriously expensive and limited parking options, particularly in bustling areas.
Stretch Your Budget by Taking the Bus
Miami’s local bus system, called Metrobus, is an economical way to travel, although it might lack speed. Each bus route operates on different schedules, and services generally run from about 5:30 am to 11:00 pm, with some stations offering 24-hour service.
Rides cost $2.25 and must be paid in exact change or with an EASY Card. The good news is that Miami-Dade Transit uses a fare capping system, meaning you won’t pay more than $5.65 per day for unlimited rides on Metrorail or Metrobus. The Metromover is always free.
Travel by Train to Avoid Traffic
The Metromover is a combination of bus, monorail, and train that provides convenient transportation throughout Downtown Miami and Brickell. It’s an excellent way for visitors to gain a unique perspective on the city and enjoy a free tour of the area.
The Metrorail, a 21-mile-long system, operates a line that runs from Hialeah through Downtown Miami and down to Kendall/Dadeland, with trains running every five to 15 minutes from 6:00 am to midnight. A one-way fare is $2.25, payable with either a reloadable EASY Card or a single-use EASY Ticket.
Zip Around a Neighborhood on a Bicycle or Scooter
Although Miami is flat, traffic issues can make biking challenging due to the lack of a robust biking culture. Nevertheless, bikes and scooters remain popular options for cruising along the beachfront or through the city.
Citi Bike is a bike-sharing program allowing users to borrow bikes from a network of kiosks across Miami and Miami Beach. Do remember, however, that Citi Bikes are fairly clunky and not ideal for long trips since they only offer three gears and lack helmets.
A variety of scooters are also available for rent through third-party apps, such as Bird and Lime, throughout Miami Beach, Downtown, and Wynwood.
…or Use a Trolley
The City of Miami Trolley is a free service operating in several neighborhoods, designed as a hybrid-electric bus service disguised as orange-and-green trolley buses. Although it serves various routes, its primary purpose is to navigate within neighborhoods rather than between them.
Both Miami Beach and Coral Gables also provide free trolley services for local transportation.
Accessible Travel in Miami
Transportation services in Miami are generally accessible, encompassing buses and trains. Additionally, companies provide relay services for deaf travelers, while many banks offer ATM instructions in Braille. Curb ramps are prevalent, and various busy intersections are equipped with audible crossing signals.
Miami-Dade County also offers accommodations for travelers with disabilities along its beaches,in county parks, and in other locations administered by the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department. It’s advisable to call ahead (305-755-7848) to secure beach-friendly wheelchairs, which are usually available on a first-come, first-served basis. Furthermore, having a companion is recommended, as the beach chairs are not self-propelled.
Several organizations cater to the needs of disabled travelers, such as the Great Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, which provides accessible travel information specific to Miami and Miami Beach, and Mobility International USA, helping disabled travelers address mobility issues.
This article discusses various options to traverse Miami effectively while considering accessibility. Make the most of your trip by employing suitable transportation methods that best fit your needs.
This article was first published on Apr 29, 2021, and updated on Nov 24, 2021.
