Transportation

1. Air

The Miami International Airport (MIA) is the only airport in the city and receives domestic as well as international flights. MIA is situated approximately twelve miles away from downtown Miami. This is one of United States' busiest airports, acting as a gateway between the country and South and Central America. Direct flight from almost every part of the world land at the Miami International Airport. However, when coming from Oceania, there is no direct flight and the nearest airport where such travelers can land is the Los Angeles International Airport. The airport is well connected to the city through public transport and private options like shuttle vans, limos and taxis.

The city of Miami is also served by the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) that is located thirty miles from the city.

2. Bus

Miami-Dade County is served by the Metrobus network, which has over a hundred routes and nearly a thousand buses plying to and fro. These buses connect Dade County to the southern Boward County as well. They run all year long, taking no breaks on public holidays. Moreover, twenty-one of the hundred bus routes are active twenty-four hours a day. The others operate till two in the morning.

Following the Disabilities Act of 1990, all Metrobuses have wheelchair accessibility.

These buses have an exclusive right-of-way along U.S. Route 1 called the South Miami-Dade Busway that has been operational since 1997. The Busway has some express speed buses that take passengers all the way till Dadeland South Station in less than 40 minutes.

3. Car

Anyone over twenty-five years of age, with a recognized credit card can rent a car in Miami. Cars are the best way to explore and reach the various parts of the city and surrounding regions. However, drivers in Miami can be rash and some term the traffic as highly undisciplined.

4. Ferry

There are currently no ferry services in Miami although there are proposed plans to start some between the city, Miami Beach and the Keys.

5. Ship

Miami is often called the ‘Cruise Capital' of the world since it is the largest cruise port on the planet serving millions of passengers each day. Most Caribbean cruises begin and end here. Through the sea, the city is connected to every other region of the world from Abu Dhabi to Yokohama. The port of Miami also receives passenger ships from Latin America as well as shipping consignments from all over the world. Besides South and Central America, not too many other countries have international passenger shipping to the country.

The following cruise lines operate in Miami:

Royal Caribbean

Phone: (800) 398-9819

Timing: Mon. - Fri 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sat - Sun 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Carnival Cruise Lines

Toll Free: (888) CARNIVAL

Norwegian Cruise Line

Phone: (800) 327-7030

6. Taxi

As is the case with the rest of America, taxis are expensive in Miami. However, they are also convenient since they are available everywhere and can be very comfortable after a hard night's partying. Nonetheless, people cannot catch taxis at any random location and when they try to do so, very often the cabbies wont even stop. It is not because they are rude, it is just that they are on call-pick-up service and cannot stop to help other customers. In the same way, people can rest assure that they will get taxis when they call the pick-up services. When they come to you through such a service then they charge an extra $2.50 for the pick up and for each sixth of every mile, they charge an extra $0.40.

Each taxi that operates in Miami needs to be approved by the city government. Most taxis are affiliated to some company and very few work individually. These taxis are easily identified by their bright yellow coloring. The license is supposed to be displayed in front of the passenger seat. If it is absent, do not get into the taxi because in case of any problem, you can receive no legal redressal. The information on the license will allow you to not only identify the cabbies but also the companies they work for.

Taxi service from Miami city can also be used if people wish to go to any place in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe County. When going to such places, it is always advisable to determine a price beforehand.