Let's be honest — Miami is a car-centric city. But that doesn't mean you need to rent a car for your entire trip. Depending on where you're staying and what you want to do, a combination of rideshare, public transit, and walking can work well. Here's your complete guide to getting around Miami.
🚕 Rideshare: Uber & Lyft
Rideshare is the default for most Miami visitors, and for good reason — it's convenient, widely available, and often cheaper than parking. Key things to know:
Availability: Excellent throughout Miami Beach, Brickell, downtown, Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables. Less reliable in outer suburbs.Pricing: A ride from South Beach to Wynwood runs about $12-18. South Beach to the airport is $20-30. Prices surge heavily during rush hour (5-7 PM), late night (1-3 AM on weekends), and during events like Art Basel or Ultra Music Festival.Airport pickups: Both Uber and Lyft operate from the designated rideshare area at MIA. Follow signs to Level 1 (Ground Transportation). Wait times are usually under 10 minutes.Tip: If you're going between South Beach and mainland Miami (Brickell, Wynwood, etc.), expect the ride to take 20-40 minutes depending on traffic, not the 10 minutes the map suggests.🚇 Metrorail
Miami's Metrorail is an elevated rapid transit system with two lines running 25 miles through the urban core. It's useful for specific routes:
Green Line: Runs from Palmetto in the north to Dadeland South in the south, passing through downtown.Orange Line: Connects MIA airport to downtown and south to Dadeland.Key stops: Government Center (downtown), Brickell, Coconut Grove, University (UM), Dadeland, and MIA Airport.Fare: $2.25 per trip on an EASY Card. Buy cards at any station.Hours: 5 AM to midnight daily.The Metrorail is excellent for getting between the airport and downtown/Brickell, and for reaching Coconut Grove or Coral Gables from downtown. It doesn't serve Miami Beach at all.
🚊 Metromover — Free Downtown Transit
The Metromover is Miami's best-kept transit secret — a free, automated people mover that loops through downtown Miami and Brickell. Three loops cover most of the urban core:
Inner Loop: Circles through downtown's central business district.Brickell Loop: Covers the Brickell financial district, including Brickell City Centre.Omni Loop: Reaches north to the Adrienne Arsht Center and Omni area.It runs every 90 seconds during peak hours and offers elevated views of the city. Completely free. If you're staying in Brickell or downtown, the Metromover can handle most of your local transportation needs.
🚌 Miami Beach Trolley — Free
Miami Beach operates a free trolley system with several routes covering the island:
South Beach Loop: Runs up and down Washington Avenue and along the beach.Middle Beach Loop: Covers the area between 41st and 63rd Streets.North Beach Loop: Serves the northern part of Miami Beach.Collins Express: Runs the length of Collins Avenue.Trolleys run every 15-20 minutes from early morning to late evening. They're air-conditioned and a great way to move around the island without paying for rideshare. The biggest downside is that they can be slow during peak traffic.
🚌 City of Miami Trolley — Also Free
The City of Miami operates its own free trolley system on the mainland with routes through:
Brickell — Along Brickell AvenueCoral Way — Connecting Brickell to Coral GablesLittle Havana — Along Calle OchoWynwood — Through the arts districtHealth District/Stadium — Near the Orange Bowl areaThese trolleys are a hidden gem for tourists. Use the Miami Trolley Tracker app for real-time locations.
🚗 Rental Cars
If you plan to explore beyond the urban core — the Everglades, Key Biscayne, Fort Lauderdale, the Keys — you'll need a car. Tips:
Rent at the airport: MIA has a dedicated Rental Car Center connected by MIA Mover train. All major companies are there.Parking costs: Hotel parking in South Beach runs $30-50/night. Street meters in Miami Beach are $4/hour. Downtown garages are $15-25/day.Traffic: I-95 and US-1 are brutal during rush hour (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM). The causeways between Miami Beach and mainland back up constantly. Plan around this.Tolls: SunPass is the electronic toll system in Florida. Most rental cars include it (with a daily fee). The express lanes on I-95 use variable pricing.Tip: If you're staying in South Beach or Brickell for a beach-focused trip, skip the rental car entirely. You'll spend more on parking than on rideshare.🚶 Walking
Miami is more walkable than most people think — in the right areas:
South Beach: Very walkable. Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, Española Way, and the beach are all within walking distance.Brickell: Walkable within the neighborhood, especially with Metromover connections.Wynwood: Compact and walkable once you're there.Coconut Grove: CocoWalk area is pleasant on foot.Everywhere else: Not very walkable. Distances between neighborhoods require transportation.Warning: Miami heat and humidity make long walks exhausting, especially May through October. Stay hydrated and take advantage of AC stops.
🚲 Biking & Scooters
Citi Bike Miami is the city's bike-share program with stations throughout Miami Beach, downtown, Brickell, Wynwood, and Coconut Grove. $5 for a 30-minute ride or $24 for a day pass.
Electric scooters from Bird and Lime are also available in Miami Beach and parts of the mainland. They're great for short distances but be careful — Miami drivers aren't always scooter-aware.
The best biking is along the beachfront boardwalk from South Pointe to North Beach — flat, scenic, and away from car traffic.
🚤 Water Taxi
The Miami Water Taxi operates routes across Biscayne Bay, connecting Miami Beach to downtown. It's scenic and avoids traffic entirely, though schedules are limited. Check current routes and times before planning around it.
✈️ From the Airport
Getting from Miami International Airport (MIA) to your hotel:
To South Beach: Uber/Lyft ($20-30, 30-45 min). No direct public transit to the beach.To Brickell/Downtown: Metrorail Orange Line ($2.25, 15 min to Government Center). Best value option.To Coconut Grove: Uber/Lyft ($15-20, 20 min) or Metrorail.To Coral Gables: Uber/Lyft ($12-18, 15 min).📝 Top Tips
Don't underestimate distances. Miami is spread out. South Beach to Coconut Grove is 30-45 minutes by car.Avoid rush hour on causeways. The bridges connecting Miami Beach to the mainland are bottlenecks. Travel off-peak when possible.Use the free options. Metromover and trolleys save real money and work well in their coverage areas.Download apps: Uber, Lyft, Miami Trolley Tracker, and Google Maps transit directions.Budget for parking. If you rent a car, factor in $30-50/night for hotel parking in tourist areas.
Miami transportation can be frustrating, but with the right strategy, you can get around efficiently without spending a fortune. Mix rideshare for cross-town trips, free trolleys for local hops, and walking within neighborhoods — and save the rental car for day trips out of the city.
Just arrived? Read our airport guide for getting from MIA to your hotel. Traveling on a budget? See our budget-friendly guide for free transportation options.
