Miami Airport Guide

Miami airport

Miami International Airport is the vast international airport serving large parts of Florida, and of course downtown Miami.

Just 8 miles (12 km) northwest of Downtown Miami, and 20 miles away from the Art Deco Miami Beach Architectural District ($35 in a cab) it is easy to get to, with one of the best rail served airports in the country. It is the 3rd busiest airport in the United States by international passenger traffic, with 45 million passengers a year, which makes it a bit of a surprise that shopping and dining options are poor compared to other airports like Los Angeles or Heathrow.

It also has a 'one terminal' concept, with long, long walks from one end of the terminal to the other: so long, in fact, there is a small internal train from one end of the terminal to the other.

Miami airport

The airport is American Airlines' third largest hub and serves as its primary gateway to Latin America. Many passengers briefly pass through on their way from Europe to Caribbean destinations. Beware though, for all international to international destinations, you do have to legally enter the United States, with all the attendant visa hassles.

Miami Airport Concourse D

Wherever you are flying to in Miami, you'll end up at Concourse D. It is the curved linear spine of the airport, semicircular, and with 131 gates.

Concourse D has five mini piers, lettered counter-clockwise from E to J (Concourse A to C has been demolished).

The only remote area is the Concourse E Satellite (gates E20 to E33) which is connected by train, and is used by British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, and Qatar. There is a

Admirals Club for international passengers flying in first and business class as well as OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire elite members here past the international security checkpoint, along with the Turkish Airlines lounge.

Miami Airport Skytrain

The Miami Airport Skytrain is an internal airside train which runs along the spine of the airport, Concourse D.

The Skytrain has four stations, which are located at Gates D17 (Station 1), D24, D29 and D46 (Station 4).

Miami City Airport Pay in, First & Business Class lounges

Miami Airport transport

Most tourists take cabs to their hotels, but many locals take the train, which can be far cheaper, and quicker.

The MIA Mover runs between Miami International Airport's Main Terminal and the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) which is the main train station.

Miami Airport train

A real surprise in Miami is that the airport is one of the few in the US with decent rail connections.

Metrorail operates the Orange Line train from Miami International Airport to Downtown Miami, Brickell, Civic Center, South Miami and Wynwood. It takes 15 minutes to get from the airport to Downtown.

Miami Airport is also served directly by Tri-Rail, Miami's commuter rail system, which connects to northern Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Amtrak will also serve Miami Airport station with Silver Star and Silver Meteor trains to Orlando, Washington, and Philadelphia.

Miami Airport shuttle bus services

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

Miami Airport taxi services

Getting a taxi to and from Miami Airport is usually trouble free.

Taxis to set destinations charge a set fare.

There are set fares to many destinations - South Beach for example is $35.

Car Hire at Miami Airport

Major car hire operators are located in the Arrivals Halls. To save time and ensure you get the car you want, book your rental in advance. Rental car operators from Miami Airport include: Europcar, Thrifty, Avis and Budget.

MIA has a newly completed rental car center at the new Miami Central Station.

Miami Airport Hotel

Miami airport International Hotel

There is just one airport hotel at Miami airport.

The Miami International Airport Hotel is located right in the middle of the (landside, before security) terminal.

The entrance is quite hidden, and rooms are tiny and quite dated, but it is worth it for the convenience. There are a few single rooms which are much cheaper.

The hotel has quite a nice bar and restaurant on the 7th floor, called Viena. Views are amazing from the bar, and it's one of the nicest places to drink at the airport.

Miami Airport Left Luggage

Miami airport luggage storage is handled by a company called Communitel on 305-869-1163.

The Miami Airport Left Luggage desk is located at Central Terminal E, landside, level 2 and is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Storage charges are subject to baggage size, but a typical wheelable bag costs about $9.

Car parking

Miami airport car parking is quite good.

Miami Airport Bars and Restaurants

Miami airport

Air Margaritaville Bar

Open: 0600-2300 Terminal E Landside
Fancy a Margarita at 6am? Miami airport is the place for it.
The Air Margaritaville Bar is located right by the landside Miami Airport Hotel, and has some good draft beers too (in plastic glasses) and OK food. It can however become insanely busy between 5 and 7pm, when many flights are departing.

Miami airport

The Clover Irish Pub

Open: 0600-2355 Airside, Concourse D
A classic Irish Bar in a airport, the Clover Irish Bar at Miami Airport isn't too bad, but again gets really busy.

Miami airport

Islander Bar and Grill

Open: 0500-2300 Airside
Opening insanely early, one of the best places to eat airside is the Islander.

Miami airport

Beachhouse Bar

Open: 0700-2300 Airside by gate D23
This is Corona's first flagship restaurant and sports bar in the United States.

Open breakfast, lunch and dinner times.

Heineken Bar

Open: 1100-2300 Airside, Terminal H
The classic airport Heineken bar makes an appearance at Miami Airport too.

Miami airport

Clubhouse one Bar

Open: 0500-2200 Airside by gate D24
The Clubhouse one Bar is pretty decent, and does everything from breakfast, tolunch and dinner.

Enjoy casual dining and a full bar. The burgers, sliders and salads are local legends.

Miami airport MIA: Miami Airport Guide - Terminal map, airport guide, lounges, bars, restaurants & reviews with images Airport review with maps by loungeindex
Loungeindex rating: 6 out of 10
Miami Airport Code: MIA
ICAO Code:	KMIA	Timezone:	UTC+29:08 (DST+32:08)
Elevation:	9 ft (3 m)	Runways:	4
Latitude:	25.795	Longitude:	-80.290