Miami International Airport (MIA)

The Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary airport serving Miami, Florida.

As one of the country's busiest airports, it offers hundreds of daily flights to domestic and international destinations, including Europe, Africa, and Asia.

It is approximately 13 kilometers northwest of Downtown Miami, adjacent to the cities of Miami and Miami Springs.

It is the largest gateway between the United States and down south to Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 2021, its busiest domestic routes to and from MIA include Atlanta, Georgia, New York–JFK, New York, Newark, New Jersey, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Los Angeles, California, Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois, New York–LaGuardia, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Among its important international routes were São Paulo-Guarulhos, Brazil, London–Heathrow, United Kingdom, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Argentina, Havana, Cuba, Panama City-Tocumen, Panama, Bogotá, Colombia, Lima, Peru, Madrid, Spain, Mexico City, Mexico, and Santo Domingo–Las Américas, Dominican Republic.

Established in the 1920s as Miami City Airport, the airport covers more than 1,335 hectares and is considered one of Florida's busiest airports by total aircraft operations and total cargo and passenger traffic.

Following the end of World War II in 1945, the City of Miami established a Port Authority and raised bond revenue to purchase Pan American Field.

Later, it merged with the former Miami Army Airfield, which was purchased from the United States Army Air Force south of the railroad in 1949 and expanded further in 1951.

The US Air Force Reserve troop carrier and rescue squadrons also operated from the airport from 1949 until the last unit relocated to nearby Homestead Air Force Base (now Homestead Air Reserve Base) in 1959.

Nonstop transatlantic flights to Europe began flying at MIA in 1970. From 1984 to 1991, British Airways flew a Concorde between Miami and London via Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.

In 1975, Eastern Airlines headquarters was moved from Rockefeller Center in New York City to MIA. It remained one of the largest employers in the Miami metropolitan area until it ceased operation in 1989.

The airport continued its growth until 1995 when long-haul flights were introduced to Europe and South America.

Today Miami Airport is American Airlines' largest air freight hub. It also remains the most important hub between Europe and Latin America.

Miami International Airport uses the MIA Mover, a free people mover system to transfer passengers between MIA terminals and Miami Intermodal Center that opened to the public in 2011.

Four years later, the Station also provided direct service to Tri-Rail and Amtrak services.

Tri-Rail connects MIA to northern Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Tri-Rail directly serves points north such as Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and West Palm Beach.

Miami International Airport has a direct public transit service to Miami-Dade Transit's Metrorail, Metrobus network; Greyhound Bus Lines, and the Tri-Rail commuter rail system.

Metrorail operates the Orange Line train from Miami International Airport to destinations such as Downtown, Brickell, Civic Center, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Dadeland, Hialeah, South Miami, and Wynwood. It takes approximately 15 minutes to get from the airport to Downtown.

Miami-Dade Transit also operates an Airport Flyer bus which connects MIA directly to South Beach.

Miami International Airport rental car center is at the new Miami Central Station.

Transfer Services at Miami International Airport

Services to/from MIA, including rental cars, taxis, rideshares, shuttles, and buses are available at the Ground Transportation Center.

Trains are also available at the Miami Intermodal Center at MIA.

Miami International Airport contains three terminals (North, Central, and South) and six concourses for a total of 131 gates. All concourses (except Concourse G), contain access to US Customs and Border Protection facilities.

• Concourse D contains 51 gates.
• Concourse E contains 18 gates.
• Concourse F contains 19 gates.
• Concourse G contains 14 gates.
• Concourse H contains 13 gates.
• Concourse J contains 15 gates.

Rental Car Services at Miami International Airport

The Rental Car Center is next to the Miami Intermodal Center.

Please follow the purple MIA Mover signs to the third level of the Airport Terminal. To access the MIA Mover station, you can use the 3rd level Skyride (moving walks).

Take the moving walkways to the MIA Mover Station to board and be transported to the Rental Car Center.

The rental facility is generally open 24/7 but you can also inquire at your service provider for specific service hours and return procedures.

When ready to return your vehicle to the car rental center, remove all personal items before turning over the rented vehicle to the designated facility.

Allow plenty of time for your drive when returning the vehicle. If unsure of direction, give the rental company a call. See and compare all rental car companies at Miami International Airport.

For item(s) lost and found inside the vehicle, please contact the rental car company directly.

For item(s) left on a rental car center shuttle bus, the Airport Lost and Found at +1 305-876-7377.

Ride Shares at Miami International Airport

Rideshare designated pick-up and drop-off areas are found at the Ground Transportation Center.

Passengers can reserve rideshare by downloading the company’s app on their smartphone and coordinating directly with their driver. They can also request a ride a few days before their flight to avoid the inconvenience.

Ridesharing apps should let users verify the identity of drivers by checking out their faces, license plates, and colors.

Taxis at Miami International Airport

From the Baggage Claim area, taxi passengers can proceed to the Airport Ground Transportation Center in front of the terminal building.

One-way fare to Downtown is between $35.00 to $45.00.

If you need to travel outside the city area, please consult your driver for rates. It is customary to give the driver a tip (15-20% of the fare) for good service. See more information about taxis at Miami International Airport.

Keep a record of the cab company, vehicle number, and the driver's name when traveling to and from the airport, just in case you leave something behind.

Trains at Miami International Airport

The Metrorail, Tri-Rail, and Amtrak are available at the Miami Airport Station. From Miami International Airport, you can take the Miami Mover to Miami Airport Station.

The MIA Mover is a free shuttle train that runs 24/7. At Miami Airport Station, you can take the Metrorail (Orange Line, Miami-Dade Transit) to travel to the city center. More information about train services at Miami International Airport.

Buses at Miami International Airport

The Miami Beach Airport Express (Metrobus Route 150) connects the Airport and Miami Beach. For this express bus service, $ 2.25 for a one-way ticket.

The following bus routes also serve the airport:

• 37
• 42
• 57
• J
• 150 Miami Beach Airport Express
• East-West Connection

For other bus options, please check out the Miami Airport Station or Ground Transportation. More information about buses to and from Miami International Airport.

You can access the Miami Airport Station by taking the MIA Mover, a free moving walkway that runs 24/7 on the third floor.

Hotel Shuttle Services at Miami International Airport

Many hotels in Miami provide shuttle services. Passengers may confirm with their local hotel if this is available at their accommodation.

Shuttles pick up and drop passengers at the Ground Transportation Center.

Parking at Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport provides safe, modern, and comfortable parking spaces for its customers. See more information about short and long term parking at Miami International Airport.

Reserved parking is also available 24/7. Cash and credit card payments are accepted.

Hotels

Whether you are visiting the city for business or pleasure, our Miami, Florida hotel and accommodation listings include all the information you need to book the ideal room for your trip.

Attractions

Miami is a city famous for its beaches. It offers something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, surfing, and swimming, while those who prefer a more urban environment can enjoy the city's many restaurants, shops, nightlife, and many more. See a selection of tourist attractions in and around Miami, Florida.