Miami Airport (MIA) Transfer Guide

Miami International Airport is about 13 km west of Miami Beach and 10 km from downtown Miami. Taxis are metered: Miami-Dade County abolished all airport flat fares in July 2022, so the old "$35 to South Beach" deal no longer exists. The county tariff runs $2.95 for the first 1/6 mile, then 85 cents per 1/6 mile up to one mile, then 55 cents per 1/6 mile after that, plus a $2.00 airport trip charge, with a $15 minimum on anything starting at MIA. Uber and Lyft price dynamically, so there is no fixed figure to quote. The Metrorail connects MIA to downtown for $2.25. A pre-booked private transfer is quoted upfront and includes a driver waiting at arrivals with your name. Tariffs are revised periodically — check the rate card in the cab before you set off.

MIA is a large, busy airport with three terminals connected by moving walkways. After clearing immigration (which can take 30-90 minutes for international arrivals), you collect your bags and exit through customs. The arrivals level is on the ground floor. Taxi stands are outside each terminal on the arrivals level. Ride-hailing pickups are on the 2nd level of the parking garage -- you will need to follow signs and take an elevator. The MIA Mover, a free people mover, connects the terminals to the Metrorail and Metrobus stations. Signs are clear and in English and Spanish.

Taxi: Available immediately outside arrivals. Every trip from MIA is metered — Miami-Dade County eliminated all flat fares, including the Miami Beach zone rates, in July 2022. The tariff is $2.95 for the first 1/6 mile, 85 cents for each additional 1/6 mile up to one mile, then 55 cents for each 1/6 mile after that (which works out to $3.30 a mile). Add a $2.00 charge on any trip originating at the airport, and note the $15 minimum. Waiting time in traffic is billed at $24.00 an hour. Tolls are extra at the SunPass rate, and SUVs and vans carry a 30% surcharge above the meter. Those figures come from Miami-Dade County Resolution R-700-22, the rate card posted in every licensed cab — check it before you set off, since the county revises rates periodically. Taxis are yellow or have "TAXI" markings. The queue moves reasonably fast.

Uber and Lyft: Ride-app pickups are on the first level (arrivals) and second level (departures). You need a working phone and data connection. Fares are set dynamically by the app and can jump sharply at peak times, so check the quote before you request — there is no published rate to rely on.

Metrorail: MIA has its own Metrorail station connected via the free MIA Mover. The train runs to downtown Miami, Brickell, and other stops. Fare is $2.25 (Miami-Dade Transit fare guide, February 2026). It does not go to Miami Beach -- you would need to transfer to a bus.

Miami Beach Airport Express (Bus 150): Runs from the MIA Metrorail station to Miami Beach along Collins Avenue. Fare is $2.25, the standard Metrobus fare. The ride takes 40-60 minutes. Runs every 30 minutes, 6 AM to 11:40 PM, seven days a week.

Pre-booked private transfer: A driver meets you at arrivals with a sign. The price is quoted and fixed when you book, so traffic and surge do not change what you pay. SUVs and vans cost more than a sedan. This is the most comfortable option, especially after a long international flight.

Rental car: All major rental companies operate from the MIA Rental Car Center, connected by the MIA Mover. If you plan to explore beyond Miami Beach, a rental car is worth considering.

Miami is one of the few big airports where we cannot give you a taxi price per destination, and that is deliberate rather than lazy. Since July 2022 there are no flat airport fares in Miami-Dade — the meter decides, so the fare depends on your exact address and how long you sit in traffic. What we can give you is the official tariff, which is public and posted in every cab:

• Meter: $2.95 for the first 1/6 mile, then 85 cents per 1/6 mile up to one mile (so $7.20 at the one-mile mark), then 55 cents per 1/6 mile — $3.30 for every mile after the first
• Airport trip charge: $2.00 on any fare starting at MIA
• Minimum fare from MIA: $15, whatever the meter says
• Waiting time: $24.00 per hour, about 40 cents a minute — this is what rush hour actually costs you
• SUVs and vans: 30% above the meter rate (not charged to wheelchair users in accessible cabs)
• Tolls: extra, at the SunPass rate

Source: Miami-Dade County Resolution R-700-22. Rates are revised periodically — the card in the cab is the authority, not this page.

With those numbers you can estimate your own trip: take the road distance, multiply the miles past the first by $3.30, add $7.20 and the $2.00 airport charge, then allow for waiting time.

Metrorail and Metrobus are $2.25 a ride and Metromover in the downtown core is free (Miami-Dade Transit fare guide, February 2026).

Uber and Lyft price dynamically. There is no published rate, and a fare that is cheap at 2 PM can be very different at 6 PM on a Friday. The app quote before you request is the only reliable number.

Pre-booked transfers are quoted and fixed at booking, so tolls, traffic and surge do not move the price. Compare the quote against the meter math above for your distance.

MIA operates around the clock with many international flights arriving late at night, particularly from Latin America. After midnight, the terminal is still active but less crowded. Taxis are available 24 hours and the meter tariff does not change at night, though waiting time is cheaper simply because the roads are empty. Uber and Lyft work but with longer wait times and dynamic pricing. The Metrorail stops around midnight. Bus 150's last departure is about 11:40 PM. A pre-booked transfer is the most reliable choice for late arrivals -- the driver monitors your flight and waits regardless of delays.

Miami taxis are standard sedans. A family of four with large suitcases may need a larger vehicle or two taxis. Child car seats are not provided in taxis or ride-hailing vehicles (Florida law requires them for children under 5). Private transfer services can arrange child seats on request. If you are a family heading to a resort, a minivan or SUV transfer gives you the space to fit everyone and everything comfortably.

For pre-booked transfers, drivers typically wait on the arrivals level near the exit doors of your terminal. Some wait at a designated meeting point in the ground transportation area. Your booking confirmation will specify the exact location. For taxis, step outside on the arrivals level and follow signs to the taxi stand. For Uber and Lyft, follow signs to the 2nd level of the parking garage. The MIA Mover station is clearly signed from all terminals.

Choose a taxi if: You do not want to pre-book, have moderate luggage, and are comfortable with a metered fare that traffic can move.

Choose Uber or Lyft if: The app quote works for you at the moment you land, and you can accept that the price is set dynamically rather than by tariff.

Choose a pre-booked transfer if: You want someone waiting for you at arrivals, travel with family or heavy luggage, arrive late at night, or prefer a guaranteed price that traffic cannot move.

Choose the Metrorail if: You are going to downtown Miami or Brickell, travel light, and want the cheapest option at $2.25.

Choose Bus 150 if: You are heading to Miami Beach, have time and patience, and want to spend $2.25 rather than a metered fare.