Travel to Miami
Flying to Miami
Airlines operating direct flights to Miami include American Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Numerous airlines offer domestic flights to Miami from other US cities, including American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United and US Airways. Prices tend to rise around the peak period between March-May, such as school summer holidays and Christmas.
Flight times
From London - 9 hours 20 minutes; New York - 3 hours 15 minutes; Los Angeles - 5 hours 20 minutes; Toronto - 3 hours 10 minutes; Singapore – 27 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 20 hours (including stopover).
Travel by road
Traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 16. Speed limits range from 24 kph (15 mph) to 48 kph (30 mph) in the city, 88 kph (55 mph) on most state highways and 88-112 kph (55-70 mph) on interstates and the Florida Turnpike. Speeding fines are hefty.
The State of Florida recognises valid driving licences from the US and other countries, as well as International Driving Permits. Visitors who plan on driving should have Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) as part of their standard travel insurance.
The AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357; www.aaa.com) provides information and road maps and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.
Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357).
Routes
The I-95 is the major north-south expressway, providing access into Miami from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It runs through Downtown Miami and into US-1 (also called Dixie Highway), which continues south to Key West.
Another toll-paying expressway, the Florida Turnpike, heads southwards from Orlando and Central Florida to the Golden Glades Interchange in the north. The major east-west expressway to Downtown Miami is State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway), connecting Florida's Turnpike in the west with the I-95 and Miami Beach (via the I-395) in the east.
Coaches
Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates coach services to cities throughout North America. The main Miami coach station is at 3801 North West 21st Street. Routes include direct links to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West, as well as direct long-distance services to New York.
Megabus (tel: +1 877 462 6342; www.megabus.com) runs direct coaches from Miami to Orlando and Tampa.
Time to city
From Fort Lauderdale - 40 minutes; Palm Beach - 1 hour 20 minutes; Key West - 3 hours 30 minutes; Orlando - 3 hours 30 minutes.
Travel by Rail
Services
Miami is connected to the USA's national railway network, Amtrak. Trains are comfortable, if rather slow. Miami's main Amtrak rail terminal is located at 8303 North West 37th Avenue.
Virgin Trains (https://virginmiamicentral.com) connect Miami Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The station is located at 600 North West 1st Avenue.
Operators
Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the USA's national railway provider. Amtrak's Silver Service and Palmetto trains operate up the Atlantic coast from Miami to New York City.
Virgin Trains (https://virginmiamicentral.com) connect Miami with cities north of Miami.
Journey times
From Orlando - 5 hours 30 minutes; Jacksonville - 9 hours 30 minutes; New York City - 29 hours.
Travel by boat
Near Bayside Marketplace, PortMiami (tel: +1 305 347 4800; www.miamidade.gov/portmiami) is one of the world's busiest cruise ports. Its terminals have smart facilities, including VIP lounges and an outdoor observation deck.
Ferry operators
Carnival Cruise Lines (tel: +1 800 764 7419; www.carnival.com), Norwegian Cruise Line (tel: +1 611 3607 0; www.ncl.com) and Royal Caribbean International (tel: +1 800 256 6649; www.royalcaribbean.com) are among several cruise lines operating from the port.
Transfer
The Coral Way Route Trolley connects the port with the Freedom Tower, a Metromover station, in Downtown Miami.
