Miami Airport to South Beach

Miami International Airport (MIA) is about 12 miles from South Beach, a 25 to 40 minute ride by car depending on traffic. A rideshare is usually the easiest option, a metered taxi runs roughly $45 to $55 before tip, and the Route 150 Miami Beach Airport Express bus gets you there for $2.25 ($2.75 from January 2027).

Here is how each option works from the moment you collect your bags, with costs checked in October 2026.

How far is Miami airport from South Beach?

South Beach is about 12 miles east of MIA, across Biscayne Bay. Most drivers take State Road 836 east, then I-395 and the MacArthur Causeway onto Miami Beach. Outside rush hour that takes about 25 minutes to the Lincoln Road area, but weekday evenings, Friday nights and big events can stretch it to 45 minutes or more.

Miami airport to South Beach: options compared

How much is a taxi from Miami airport to South Beach?

A taxi from MIA to South Beach costs roughly $45 to $55 before tip, because airport taxis now run on the meter. Miami-Dade County ended the old flat fares to Miami Beach zones in 2022, so older guides quoting a fixed price are out of date. Trips starting at MIA have a $15 minimum and a $2 airport fee.

The meter starts at $2.95 for the first sixth of a mile, then charges 85 cents per sixth of a mile up to the first mile and 55 cents per sixth of a mile after that, plus 40 cents a minute when waiting in traffic. Our estimate is based on about 12 miles of driving, so a heavy jam or a hotel at the far south end will push it up. SUVs and vans can add a 30 percent surcharge. Taxis wait outside baggage claim on the arrivals level.

Where do you get an Uber or Lyft at MIA?

Rideshare pick-ups are on both the arrivals level (level 1) and the departures level (level 2), at designated zones marked by door number. Your app shows the exact spot once you request a ride. Uber's published route data puts the average standard fare from MIA to a mid-South Beach hotel at about $36, though surge pricing at busy times can push it well past the taxi meter. If the app quote looks high, check the taxi line.

Does a bus go from Miami airport to South Beach?

Yes. Metrobus Route 150, the Miami Beach Airport Express, runs from the Miami Airport Station to Miami Beach every 30 minutes or so, from about 5 a.m. to just before midnight every day. The fare is the standard $2.25 (rising to $2.75 from January 1, 2027), paid by tapping a contactless card or phone, an EASY Card, or exact cash.

To catch it, take the free MIA Mover train from the terminal to the Miami Intermodal Center, where the bus bays are. The bus crosses the Julia Tuttle Causeway to 41st Street in Mid-Beach, then runs south through Collins Avenue and Indian Creek Drive to Lincoln Road and down Washington Avenue to South Pointe Drive. It is a regular city bus with limited luggage space, so it suits travelers with a carry-on or one bag. Check the current Route 150 schedule on the Miami-Dade Transit site before you fly.

Can you take Metrorail from the airport to Miami Beach?

Not directly. Metrorail's Orange Line runs from the airport to downtown Miami and Brickell, but no rail line crosses to Miami Beach. You would need to change to a bus downtown, which is slower than Route 150 for most South Beach hotels. On weekends, the Orange Line runs only as a shuttle between MIA and Earlington Heights, adding another transfer. Metrorail does make sense if you are staying in downtown or Brickell.

Airport shuttles and private transfers

Shared-ride vans and private car services operate from MIA, and booking ahead is the safest way to lock in a price for a family or group. Pre-booked private transfers are worth it for late-night arrivals or larger parties with lots of bags, since one vehicle can cost less than two rideshares. Some South Beach hotels can also arrange a car for you, so ask when you book.

Should you rent a car at MIA if you are staying in South Beach?

Only if you plan day trips. The rental car center is a short ride from the terminal on the free MIA Mover, but once you reach the beach, parking becomes the main cost. City garages in South Beach charge $2 an hour up to $20 a day, street meters cost $4 an hour from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., and hotel valet is usually more.

A good middle path is to arrive by rideshare and rent a car later, just for the days you head to the Everglades or Key West.

Tips for the trip from MIA to the beach

• Avoid landing between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays if you can; causeway traffic peaks then.
• Check whether your hotel is in South Beach, Mid-Beach or North Beach before comparing fares. North Beach is noticeably further.
• Keep a contactless card handy for the bus; it is faster than buying an EASY Card.
• If your phone dies, the taxi line outside baggage claim needs no app.

Flying into Fort Lauderdale instead? See Fort Lauderdale to Miami, and our getting around Miami guide for once you have arrived.