AirportsMadeSimple™

The rockin’ ladies of The Real Housewives of Miami

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (“MIA”)
2100 NW 42^nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33142

 Weather Link:  CLICK HERE

If you travel during hurricane season (June-November), plan accordingly.

Terminal Map:  CLICK HERE

FLYING IN:

TRANSPORTATION: 

What kind available (click desired type)? Public transportation (Metrobus, Metrorail or Metromover), airport and car rental shuttles, taxis, limousines (pre-booked), hotel shuttles, special transit (STS) for those with mental or physical disabilities

NOTE: Taxis should have posted rates to major areas on their windows. Make sure yours does or confirm the rate with the driver. 

Available 24 hours? Yes.  This is one of the few destinations where you should be able to obtain service 24 hours—Miami is a party city (think: South Beach (“SoBe”), lots of international flights). Of course, always have your phone numbers/websites available for a particular hotel. Or, speak with airport personnel.

Where is the pick-up location? Level 1 (arrival area), outside baggage claim areas

RENTAL CAR SITUATION: 

Do you really need a rental car?  THAT DEPENDS.  This is very important: 

OPTION A:

Are you going to South Beach only?  For two-three days? If so, NO! Don’t get a rental car. Why?

Besides the expense of the car rental…

(1) You’ll get charged a VERY high price by your hotel to park it overnight ($25-$45/night)

(2) Parking is costly AND scarce, and you won’t find a place to park anyway. IF you do, you’ll end up walking a distance to get where you want to go anyway…

(3) You can walk everywhere if you stay on Ocean Drive or around the Collins/Lincoln Road area

(4) If you need to go farther, take a cab. They’re everywhere and the total cost (including cab fare from/to the airport) will be less than renting a car. Plus, you don’t have the hassle and stress of driving. 

OPTION B:

Are you visiting friends in the area, not into the SoBe scene, visiting downtown Miami, or want to drive up the coast and explore?  YES. 

Where are the rental cars located?  Offsite, at the “RCC” (Rental Car Center), located at 3900 NW 25^th Street, Miami, FL 33142.  CLICK HERE for more information. TAKE A SHUTTLE. OPEN 24 HOURS. 

NOTE: The entrance to the rental car center is only accessible by traveling eastbound on NW 25th. Street.  North or south bound traffic should use N Le Leune Rd (NW 42 Ave./SR-953) to access NW 25th Street when returning to the rental car center. 

Total time from gate to car: Allow ONE HOUR

 BONUS TIPS: 

Construction? Not at this time 

Food onsite:  Varies – all types:  CLICK HERE for more information. You’re more likely to have more options at this airport – even at later hours. Lots of traffic. 

Smoking allowed? No, not inside security check points. Smoking is permitted only in designated curbside areas on the first and second level, across the street from the terminal. 

Hotel onsite and/or close? Yes.  CLICK HERE for HOTEL MIA, located in Central Terminal E, 2^nd level.

Close:  Holiday Inn Express Miami Springs (.8 miles), and the Crowne Plaza Miami International Airport (1.3 miles)

FLYING OUT 

TRAVELING TO AIRPORT:

Construction? Not at this time 

Will peak traffic times affect you?  It depends.  From SoBe, no (especially if you take a cab).  From downtown Miami during rush hour? Of course. 

ARRIVING AT AIRPORT:

Are signs clearly marked for departure/arrival, rental car return, and parking? Yes

CLICK HERE FOR PARKING INFORMATION.

 RENTAL CARS: 

Where is the drop-off location? Offsite at 3900 NW 25^th Street, Miami, FL 33142.

The entrance to the rental car center is only accessible by traveling eastbound on NW 25th. Street. North or south bound traffic should use N Le Leune Rd (NW 42 Ave./SR-953) to access NW 25th Street when returning to the rental car center. 

Drop-off signs clearly marked? Yes 

Total time to allow:  45-50 minutes before arriving at security gate 

TERMINAL(S): 

More than one?  Yes – this is a very large airport. Crowded, busy, and noisy.

There are six (6) Terminals:  Terminals D, E, F, G, H, and J.

CLICK HERE for a detailed terminal map.  This page also details which airlines fly out of which terminal.

CLICK HERE for a listing of terminal gates.

SECURITY CHECKPOINT(S): 

More than one checkpoint? Yes

NOTE:  The major gates have ONE security line; HOWEVER, the line splits into numerous actual checkpoints, so even if the line is long, it moves very quickly.

Is www.ClearMe.com or the equivalent available? Yes. They have a program called the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

Average clearance time (excluding First Class or Priority boarding):  Allow 30 minutes

NOTE: The following informationn is from the airport’s website:

NOTE:  If you have a medical condition that requires you to carry a needle and/or syringe on your person or in your carry-on baggage, you must also have the medication that requires such injection on your person. The medication must be packaged with a pharmaceutical label or professionally printed label identifying the medication.

NOTE: If you are traveling with gifts, whenever possible, plan to wrap them after you arrive at your destination, as they may have to be unwrapped for security inspection. Due to the limitations of carry-on articles, these items should be packed in your checked luggage or shipped ahead via mail.

NOTE: Because this is such an “international” airport, the following forms of ID are acceptable to the TSA:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DOD civilians)
• Permanent Resident Card
• Border Crossing Card
• DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
• Drivers Licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
• A Native American Tribal Photo ID
• An airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
• A foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Non-US/Canadian citizens are not required to carry their passports if they have documents issued by the U.S. government such as Permanent Resident Cards. Those who do not should be carrying their passports while visiting the U.S.

This standardization of the list of accepted documents better aligns TSA with other DHS components, including Customs and Border Protection, and REAL ID benchmarks.

WI-FI:

CLICK HERE for other information such as Animal Service relief, Currency Exchange Stations, and DataPort locations.