Getting Around Miami

When in Miami, the chances of seeing the city's elite driving around in drop-top convertibles and other high priced vehicles are pretty high; however, the remainder of the local population utilizes a vast variety of different transportation methods to get around this sprawling city.

Getting into Miami is relatively easy, particularly compared to other cities in Florida. The airport is situated in a sparsely-located area of Miami-Dade County and has the status of an international airport; in fact, it is one of the busiest in the world, serving more than 35 million passengers annually. Its status as an international airport means there are a greater number of incoming and outgoing flights; prices also tend to be more reasonable at Miami International than they are in other cities. 

Miami International Airport is the third largest source of air travel entry for foreign visitors in the U.S., ranking behind Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. There are several smaller airports in the vicinity, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which also picks up quite a bit of traffic from the greater Miami area. The airport also serves as the largest gateway for international travel for American Airlines, the largest passenger airline in the world. Residents can hop on a direct flight out of Miami to more than 70 cities around Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North and South America.

In terms of large-scale transportation, the Port of Miami is a major area attraction and is one of the largest seaports in the United States. Moreover, it is the largest cruise ship port in the world and has been for more than a decade. The Port of Miami plays host to some of the largest existing cruise ship fleets and is a hub for many of the major cruise organizations, including Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Oceania and Windjammer Cruise Lines.

The port served more than three million passengers in 2007 and processed more than seven million tons of cargo. In terms of sheer size, the Port of Miami comes in second only to New Orleans’ Port of South Louisiana for North American ports with imports/exports to Latin America. The Port of Miami takes up more than 500 acres and has at least seven different passenger terminals. 

However, the real conversation on transportation in Miami is centered on the public transit system. Operated by the Miami-Dade Transit Department, with a portion of it run by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), it is the 12th largest transit system in the country and the single largest transit operation in the state of Florida.

From the Metrobus to the Metrorail, Miamians are accustomed to getting around town in the fastest, most convenient way possible; the Miami public transportation system makes this possible. The Miami transit system is fully accessible, meaning people with disabilities have the same access as anyone else. The Miami-Dade Transit Department is the largest department within the county government spectrum and is responsible for:

• Metrobus:   A fleet of more than 700 regular buses and 121 minibuses
• Metrorail: An elevated transit system spanning more than 20 miles --- and 20 stations --- from the Kendall community to Medley
• Metromover: A people mover serving the central business district and stretching across 4.4 miles
• Special Transportation Services: A system serving people with disabilities that cannot use the traditional transit system

The Transit department records more than 300,000 daily boardings on the system as a whole, making this the main way in which Miamians get around.

In addition to the many offerings by the Miami-Dade Transit Department, the SFRTA operates the Tri-Rail, which is a commuter system running from Miami International Airport to West Palm Beach, with more than 18 stops along the way.

However, despite the vast array of public transit options in Miami, there are still many visitors and residents that have a preference for getting around in a private vehicle. There are a number of people that drive get to their destinations in Miami; however, residents and visitors alike should beware as Miami is known for having some of the rudest drivers in the country, according to AutoVantage. It is also a dangerous locale for pedestrians because of Miami drivers. There are four major Interstates in Miami, including I-75, I-95, I-195 and I-395, and residents can count on each of them being gridlocked between 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Copyright 2009 MiamiSmarts

1. An Introduction to Miami
2. Getting Around Miami
3. Secrets of South Beach
4. Dolphins in Heat in Miami
5. The Miami Music Scene
6. Things to See in Miami
7. The Miami Cultural Scene
8. Shopping in Miami