Getting Here, Getting Around
Miami is a sprawling 2,000 square miles, which makes navigation for newbies a bit of a challenge. Finding a local without a car is highly unusual, and very few residents take public transportation regularly. There are specific areas where good ol’ walking is your best bet in central areas; Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove are a few examples.
Certain municipalities of the city use numbering for street names and make finding addresses fairly easy. For example, the address the The Falls mall in Kendall, 8888 SW 136th St., indicates that it is located on 136th St. near 88th Ave. Other areas, such as the entirety of Coral Gables, have named streets, which make some sort of map or device almost necessary to find anything via car.
Expect major delays during rush hour almost anywhere in the city. The same route from South Miami to North Miami Beach that takes 45 minutes regularly can take up to two hours during rush hour. Tune into WIOD (AM 610) for updated traffic delays and conditions regularly.
1. Miami International Airport
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (305) 876-7000
Address: 4200 NW 21st St.
Description: Though it’s not always the calmest experience, it is an occasional necessary evil and provides ample dining options. A local favorite, La Carreta, is a Cuban go-to joint that has a cafe on the first floor of Terminal E. Give yourself plenty of time to commute between terminals as some walks can take as long as 30 minutes. A skytrain recently opened, which will transport passengers between the milelong D terminal.
2. Airport Flyer
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (305) 468-5900
Description: Get to and from Miami Beach for $2.35 each way on this new express bus service. Pick it up at Miami International Airport or a Metrorail station if you’re going downtown. The Flyer runs every 30 minutes daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and has luggage racks available.
3. Airport Super Express
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (305) 807-0270
Description: One-way trips to and from Miami International Airport and Miami Beach start at $45 for 1 to 4 people. Consider this option for groups, especially, as cabs may be less expensive for individuals or couples. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Call or e-mail reservations@airportsuperexpress.com for reservations.
4. Super Shuttle
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (305) 871-2000
Description: This nationwide company serves the Greater Miami area and does reasonably priced home pickups. Keep in mind that rates are based on distance and pickup times are typically exponentially early due to multiple pickups in parties.
5. A1A
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: This main drag, better known as Collins Avenue, runs from south to north through Miami Beach. The section of it that runs through South Beach is very walkable; once you get to the 60s or so, it’s more residential and traffic heavy.
6. Lincoln Road
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: This may be one of Miami’s most recognizable roads—an irony given that cars aren’t allowed on it. But that’s precisely the reason why it’s all the rage. Lincoln Road runs from Collins Avenue to Bay Road and is lined with an abundance of shops and restaurants, most with great outdoor seating.
7. Miracle Mile
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: This is Coral Gables’ claim to fame, which is driveable and lined with restaurants and shopping. Parking is available on the street but is sometimes easier to find in nearby garages.
8. Us 1
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: South Dixie Highway, more simply US 1, is what it’s called south of downtown and I-95. In Downtown Miami and Brickell it’s called Brickell Avenue and just north of Downtown Miami to North Miami it’s called Biscayne Boulevard. I-95’s northbound express lanes no longer accept cash so a SunPass is required going northbound. Registered hybrid vehicles, vanpools, and carpools with three or more people can get through toll-free.
9. Lot #19
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: $6 for two hours, $3 per additional hour, $20 during special events, $25 flat rate staring at 3 p.m. during Miami Heat games, $65 monthly rate in section 1 only Mon through FriHours: Mon through Sun from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
10. Lot #33
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: Free for the first 30 minutes, $4 for up to an hour, $2 for each additional half hour with a $14 maximum and $90 monthly. Hours: Mon through Fri from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Sat and Sun.
11. Lot #67 At The Coconut Grove Convention Center
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: $70.75 monthly. Hours: Vary based on events at the Convention Center.
12. Lot #70 At Watson Island
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: $10 daily for a 12-hour period, $70 monthly. Hours: 24 hours per day.
13. Lot #72
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: $4 per hour with a $20 (5-hour) maximum. Hours: Mon through Sat from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
14. Lot #77
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: $10 for 12 hours. Hours: 24 hours per day.
15. Lot #78
City: Miami, FL
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: Rates: $50 monthly. Hours: 24 hours per day.