Miami International Airport (MIA)

Overview

One of the main air travel hubs in the US, Miami International Airport is located eight miles (13km) northwest of central Miami. The main gateway to Florida's wildly popular tourist attractions, nearly 36 million people come in on flights to Miami International Airport each year, making it the 28th busiest airport in the world.

The semicircular terminal at Miami International Airport has one linear concourse (Concourse D) and five pier-shaped concourses (Concourses E - J). Baggage claim and ground transportation take up Level 1, while ticketing, shops and restaurants, and concourse access make up Level 2. The airport is unfortunately not well-signed, and many staff members speak only Spanish, meaning it can be easy to get lost. When combined with chaotic procedures at baggage claim and long queues at customs, the situation at Miami International requires passengers to allow plenty of time when making connections.

Flights to Miami International Airport come in from all over the world, including major international hubs like Cancun, Buenos Aires, Berlin, Toronto, Paris, seattle, Rome, New York, São Paulo, Amsterdam, Zurich, Moscow and Lisbon.

Location

The airport is located nine miles (15km) west of central Miami.

Getting to the city

The airport is well connected to the greater Miami area by numerous services offered by the Miami-Dade Transit Department. These include the scheduled, local Metrobus (the bus station is on Level 1 of Concourse E); a mass-transit Metrorail system; a fixed rail system designated specifically for downtown Miami and Brickell; and the TriRail commuter train, reaching Broward and Palm Beach Counties from the Airport Station to the east of the airport on NW 21st Street. Taxis and shuttles are available from the arrivals level, outside the baggage claim areas. Car rental agents operate outside the terminal building and can be reached on a shuttle service.

Time

GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Contacts

Tel: +1 305 876 7000.

Car rental

Car rental agents operate outside the terminal building and can be reached on a shuttle service. Companies represented include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis

Taxis and shuttles are available from the arrivals level, outside the baggage claim areas. There are wheelchair-accessible taxis and shuttles available upon request. Fares to the city centre are about US$22 in a taxi and US$8 in a shuttle (estimate is per person, fares vary with additional passengers).

Facilities

There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes and fast food chains available 24 hours. Dozens of shops, including duty-free, are available. The airport also has ATMs, bureaux de change, barber shop/hair salon, chapel, a health club, an art gallery and a rooftop swimming pool. Facilities for the disabled are good.

Parking

Miami International Airport's long-term parking facilities consist of two multi-level parking garages. Short-term parking is available in the same area near the terminal. Short-term parking at Miami International Airport is charged at $2.50 per half hour up to a daily limit of $30; long-term parking rates start at $4 for the first hour, $8 for two hours, $10 for three hours, $12 for four hours, and $15 for 5 - 24 hours. Economy parking is $3 per hour with a daily rate of $8.

Departure Tax

None.

Website

www.miami-airport.com

Airlines

Flights to Miami International Airport are available via American Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Iberia, KLM, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, American Eagle, British Airways, TAP Portugal, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Swiss International Airlines, US Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Internet

Wifi is available at a cost of $4.95 for 30 minutes and $0.25 per minute thereafter, or $9.95 per day.

Business Lounges

Conference facilities with audio-visual equipment are available in the Miami International Airport Hotel on Level 7 of Concourse E. An additional auditorium is located on the fourth level of North Terminal D.

Miami International Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.