My Personal Miami International Airport Advice. The Miami International Airport can be a daunting experience for anyone who finds themselves there for any length of time. Now, try doing it as a single mother with a young child. It can get downright scary. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, if you follow a few tips and have some information handy before you arrive, the whole experience could be something to remember. And not for a good laugh at the time mom or dad went crazy, but for the places you went and the things you saw. Let’s take a look at seven important things to remember about Miami International.
- Give Yourself Extra Time: It’s not recommended to fly in the morning of your cruise because anything can happen between the time you arrive at your airport and the time you touch down in Miami.
- Carry Cash: So I learned this the hard way, even though it’s 2017, not all cabs take credit cards in Miami. I saw someone get into a cab and was basically kicked out because the cab driver did not accept cash. When I asked the taxi stand about it, I was informed that cabbies don’t like to use their credit card machine because it costs them a fee.
- Have Travel Insurance: I spoke with a family on our ship that came from different destinations. The parents were coming from the Midwest and the kids were coming from a college in Boston. The kids made it, the parents didn’t. It was an expensive flight to fly both parents to pick up the ship midway through the voyage.
- Use a Cruise Line Transfer: If you want to make sure you make the ship, just use the cruise line transfer from the Miami Airport to Port Miami, it’s $32 round-trip. This way if you get stuck in those traffic filled highways from the airport to the cruise port, you’re safe.
- No Duty Free: I learned this one the hard way. Duty Free stores can only be used for guests traveling from Miami to an international destination. You cannot roll into a Duty Free shop when you get off your airplane thinking you will buy a bottle of wine to bring on-board the cruise ship. It won’t happen.
- Crowd-sourced Travel Apps: GateGuru or foursquare are awesome crowd sourced smartphone apps that give honest reviews and tips of the airport. I have learned where the strongest WiFi, the best place to get a drink and the quietest place in the airport is to make a phone call. I swear by both foursquare and Gate Guru and they are both in my travel folder in my iPhone.
- Use Air Train: If your terminal has an air train, jump on board and take it to baggage claim or to the airport exit. It will be a lot easier on your feet and you’ll escape the hustle and bustle.
Checkpoint Savvy
If you encounter congestion at Concourse D’s four checkpoints, there is a post-security connector to Concourse D, just past the Concourse E checkpoint. The Concourse D Skytrain can also get you from one end of Concourse D to the other in five minutes.
Parking
Parking information: 305-876-7536 (24 hours).
Most Convenient: Valet parking, $30/day (departure level across from American Airlines area, Concourse D in the Dolphin Garage and departure level across from South Terminal in Flamingo Garage). Garage parking, $17/day, $2/each 20 minutes; day rate applies after two hours, 40 minutes.
Least Expensive: Airport Economy Park & Ride, $8/day. The automated MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center, 1.1 miles away, is on the third level between the Dolphin and Flamingo garages.
Cellphone Lot: Located off LeJeune Road and N.W. 31st Street, accessible from LeJeune Road heading north or south. Sixty spots. Dawn to dusk (no lighting).
Transportation To & From City
Most Convenient: Taxi to downtown, about $22. Travel time: about 20 minutes. To Port of Miami, $27 flat rate. To South Miami Beach, $35 flat rate.
Least Expensive: Metrorail Orange Line service runs from MIA to downtown Miami in 15 minutes for $2.25 Take MIA people mover from MIA to the Airport Metrorail Station.
Airport Flyer express bus service offers quick and easy service from MIA to Miami Beach. Fare: $2.60. Daily, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. Travel time: 30 minutes. All MIA bus service, except Tri-Rail service located at Miami Intermodal Center across LeJeune Road by the airport.
The Tri-Rail shuttle bus stop at MIA is located at Terminal E on the lower level.
Wi-Fi & Charging Stations
Boingo and other paid Wi-Fi services are available. Wi-Fi is also available at the post-security business center in the South Terminal.
Power outlets/charging stations: Free power charging stations are distributed through the airport
Go Local
Good Choice for local gifts: Havana to Go (crafts), Britto’s Art Store, Havana Nines (clothing).
Good choice for local food: Central Terminal: Air Margaritaville (coastal-themed food and décor), La Carreta (Cuban; Concourse D, second level, post-security and small branch pre-security between Concourses E and D, first level), Cafe Versailles (Cuban; various locations), IceBox Cafe (local restaurant and bakery; North Terminal), Top of the Port (seafood; top floor of Miami International Airport Hotel). North Terminal: Estefan Kitchen Express (Gate 27). Food trucks also park outside the Main Terminals during lunch time on Fridays.
Tips & Tidbits
MIA has indoor (Gate D-34) and outdoor pet-relief areas, a full-service bank, a business center (post-security, South Terminal), a pre-security yoga studio, and an art and culture program with galleries, site-specific art and two huge historic murals by Brazilian artist Carybe that were once in the American Airlines terminal at JFK. Eight “MIAmamas” nursing pods are distributed through MIA’s six terminals. A 51-foot-long Wall of Honor on Concourse D lists the names of 118 military service men and women from South Florida who gave their lives since Sept. 11, 2001.
Nearby Layover Option
Bus Route No. 37 will take you to Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile commercial district. A shuttle bus (Route No. 10) runs between the airport and Dolphin Mall, which has shops, restaurants and 19 movie theaters.
Check out the art galleries throughout the airport.
Thanks to the airport’s Division of Fine Arts & Cultural Affairs, you can explore a vast array of vibrant masterpieces while you wait for your flight to leave.
Miami International is home to contemporary artwork and exhibitions that communicate culture, environment and art resources “of an international scope,” according to the Division of Fine Arts & Cultural Affairs. As such, you can experience a range of colorful galleries and projects that you won’t find anywhere else.
Pass the time during your layover by checking out the artwork scattered across the Miami airport. By doing so, you can take your mind off of your delayed flight, and ultimately, celebrate the beauty of myriad modern works of art.
Go Shopping
The Miami International Airport boasts numerous best-in-class shops, ensuring you can pick up everything you need for your upcoming trip while you wait out your layover.
Some of the top shops at the airport include:
- Bayside Brush – For the finest brushes and hair accessories, visit Bayside Brush.
- Bead Factory – A jewelry aficionado’s dream come true, the Bead Factory offers jewelry supplies, beading tools and other products to help you make your own jewelry.
- Brookstone – Looking for a unique souvenir for a friend or family member? Check out the selection of unique items available from Brookstone.
- Coach – Show off your personal style with a luxury hand bag from Coach.
- Hugo Boss – With deluxe watches, designer clothing and much more, Hugo Boss makes it simple to dress for success.
Shop until you drop at the Miami airport, and you can find everything you’ll need to stay entertained during your layover.
Grab a bite to eat.
It is try wonderful cuisine at the airport, as this airport features restaurants that offer many different types of beverages, snacks and meals.
Enjoy a first-rate dining experience at one of these Miami airport restaurants:
- 305 Pizza – Pick up a slice of your favorite pizza variety at 305 Pizza.
- Bongos – Sample authentic Cuban food at Bongs, a one-of-a-kind Cuban café.
- BookLink Café – For a cup of Joe, hearty tomato soup or other café favorites, there may be no better choice than BookLink Café.
- Clubhouse One – Sit down and relax with a delicious sandwich, classic entrée or other exceptional American fare at Clubhouse One.
- Gilbert’s Food Bar – Treat yourself to cookies, gourmet sandwiches and other delectable food at Gilbert’s Food Bar.
The Miami airport offers no shortage of top-notch dining options. Be sure to grab a bite to eat during your layover at one of this airport’s terrific restaurants, and you can satisfy your hunger pangs before your flight departs.
Get Great Car Service, Enjoy a Tour of Miami.
When it comes to an extended layover, why should you be forced to wait out your time at the airport? When you have the right car service, you can get out of the airport and into the culture and fun of Miami itself.
Jenny Quote: “Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days for domestic and international travel—lines are shorter and fares are lower. Some airports have peculiar peak times: lines at Miami International Airport run out the door on Saturday mornings, when the cruise ships dump their passengers.”