Airport Guide to Miami International (MIA)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Situated 13km (8 miles) north-west of downtown Miami, Miami International Airport (MIA) is South Florida’s main airport. Due to a vast number of tourist attractions and sizable local populations, it’s one of the largest hubs in the US and acts as the country’s main gateway to Latin America. Having served just fewer than 36 million passengers in 2010, the airport is the 28th busiest in the world, with flights to Miami International Airport coming in from most continents.

Unfortunately, though, the airport has a reputation for being slow and disorganised, especially when it comes to luggage procedures. Passengers in transit often miss flights as they are required to clear immigration before collecting their baggage, after which they must then transfer it to their connecting flight. Moreover, it’s common practice for staff to remove bags from carousels and place them on the floor, leaving passengers to crowd around heaps of luggage and compete for a chance to locate theirs. Signage is lacking and unclear, and many airport personnel speak Spanish only.

However, MIA has a wide variety of eateries, bars and retail outlets to keep layover passengers amused. Musical performers also provide entertainment throughout the airport’s public spaces and numerous wall paintings add colour and vibrancy to the interior of the terminal building.

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Terminal Transfer

There is one large terminal building – comprising concourses D-J (excluding I to avoid confusion with the number 1) – with moving walkways to assist travel between concourses.

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Getting into Town

Train: A free automated fixed-rail system provides transport to popular locations in downtown Miami and Brickell, while a mass transit fixed-rail system provides direct transport to areas throughout Miami-Dade County at a cost $2 per ticket.

Bus: A Metrobus service runs from Miami International to all areas in Miami. A ticket costs $2 and transfer between buses is free. The station is on the ground level of Concourse E.

Taxi: Taxis and shuttles are available on the arrival level of the airport. Fare is between $8 and $14 for a trip to downtown Miami.

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Car Parking

Parking consists of four areas, namely valet, short- and long-term, and economy parking. Valet parking costs $18 for the first three hours, $30 for up to 24 hours, and $30 for each additional day. Short-term charges are $2.50 per half hour, up to a maximum of $30 per day, while long-term parking rates are $4 for one hour, $8 for two hours, $10 for three hours, $12 for four hours, $15 dollars for five hours, with a maximum charge of $15 per day. Economy parking prices are $3 for one hour and $6 for two hours, with a maximum of $8 per day.

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Information Desks

An information centre is located at Central Terminal E on level 2.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs and currency exchange.

Luggage: A lost-and-found service is available in Central Terminal E. Porters are available to assist with baggage. As with all US airports no left-luggage facilities are available due to ongoing security concerns.

Conference and business: Miami International Airport Hotel on level 7 of Concourse E features a Conference Centre with business services and meeting rooms for up to 12 guests. A conference suite offers access to audiovisual equipment and can accommodate groups of up to 200 people. There’s also an auditorium located on the fourth level of North Terminal D.

Other facilities: Pharmacies, a hair salon, shoeshine stands, a chapel and animal-relief areas.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout the public areas of the terminal through the airport network, which costs $9.95 for 24 continuous hours, or $4.95 for the first half hour and $0.25 per minute thereafter. You can also connect through operators such as Boingo. There are also public workstations throughout the central concourse in Terminal E.

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