One of the first questions any visitor to Miami asks is about safety in our Public Transportation System. And it is a difficult question to answer, especially because of the size of the city. Like any other big city in the world, Miami has a huge variety of neighborhoods and people as well.

Is Miami Public Transportation (MPT) Safe?

So, I cannot tell you that it is completely safe or the opposite. For the most part, it is safe and I will give you information about transportation in the areas most visitors hang around.

I am the type of traveler who loves to use public transportation for many reasons in my trips around the world. One of them is affordability since it’s usually very inexpensive!

Another reason is that public transportation puts you right in contact with the locals. You will have a great chance to see how real people live in the city you’re visiting.

Of course, you will find the good, the nice, the bad and the ugly, but that’s part of every big city.

Is It Reliable?

That’s another story. To answer this question I will have to make comparisons. Let’s take a Public Transportation System like the ones in New York or Chicago, which are very reliable. 99% of the time they are on schedule and the time between units is pretty short.

Not in Miami. Although it has improved tremendously in the last decades, we still have some problems with punctuality and the lapse between units depending on the day of the week, time, and the route. For instance, the metro could run from 5 minutes to 15 minutes in between depending on the schedule. While buses could run from 15 minutes to 1 hour in between, just to mention 2 of the options people use the most.

I will cover all four options further ahead. But remember, I will give you info about the areas most visitors go to, and in those areas, schedules are really good. Keep reading to learn about the free options. Yes, we have Free Public Transportation!

So the bottom line is, if you’re in a hurry, take a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or rent a car. If you are enjoying your time and want to immerse yourself in the community, use public transportation.

Here you have some tips if you’re going to drive in Miami.

All complains with the service should be directed to: Miami Dade Transit Feedback

What Are The Options?

Metrorail

Commonly called Metro, is the equivalent to the Subway or underground trains we see in other big cities. The main reason why it was constructed overground instead of underground, was the type of terrain Miami is on.

Instead of rock and soil, the city is on different layers of water and coralline rock, which is a very weak type of rock, making the underground construction unsuitable.

The Metrorail has a total of 23 stations in 2 lines, the Orange Line, and the Green Line, along the 25 miles (40 km) of elevated tracks.

Both lines have a similar itinerary for the most part, but the Orange Line is the one you will need to use to or from the Miami International Airport (MIA).

All units have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and they are all wheelchair accessible. Let me know if you would like to learn more specific info about the system in a future post.

Metrobus

Commonly referred to as bus –some Cubans call it “ la gua-gua” (pronounced: la wa-wa). There are a total of 93 routes of them throughout Greater Miami.

At Miami International Airport (MIA) we will find the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which is a building where you will find the Metro, several routes of Metrobuses, long-distance buses, taxis, and a trolley stop.

All units have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and they are all wheelchair accessible, as well.

ATTENTION BIKERS!

Bicycles can be carried free of charge on both trains and buses, as you can see in the pictures above.

Metromover (Free)

Also called the Peoplemover, is an elevated system of transportation located in Downtown Miami, operated by a computer system. It is very reliable in terms of schedule, they usually run within 5 minutes in between, and it’s completely free.

It also has air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and is wheelchair accessible. Again, let me know if you would like to learn more specific info about the system in a future post.

Trolley (Free)

And finally, the system that, as a visitor, you probably want to try for the convenience of the itineraries connecting many attractions, parks, and points of interest, and because it’s totally free. No money! Nada!

Out of the 34 municipalities that form the Greater Miami (Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Aventura, Bal Harbour, et cetera), 26 of them have one or more routes of complimentary trolleys that will drive you to several convenient areas. These picturesque rides will add memorable moments to your trip, and it’s free!

Here’s a tour that you might like and will be able to use the Brickell Trolley!

All units have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and they’re wheelchair accessible, too. Once again, I suggest you let me know if you would like to learn more specifics about this system in a future post.

Did I mention that it is free?

BREAKING NEWS

Last October 20th, the Miami-Dade county commission approved a $14 million proposal to build a Monorail between Miami Beach and Downtown Miami.

There are still a lot of details and time to make this a reality, but we might count a fifth option to the list in a few years. Stay tuned for future details!

Cost and How to Pay

Rail or Bus fare for a One-way ticket is $2.25 for the regular price.

Discounted fare is $1.10 per person, per way for qualifying people.

Seniors, Students, and most people with disabilities can purchase a discounted Easy Card at Government Center with proper ID in person.

Seniors over 65+ can apply in person for a Golden Passport, which allows them to use all transit services free of charge.

Easy Ticket

Best suited for visitors and people who don’t use the service very often.

No one-time charge

1day pass = $5.65

7day pass = $29.25 or load it up to $40

The ticket expires after 60 days.

Only rechargeable for the same amount at the time of purchase

Easy Pay Miami App

Download the App to your cellular. If you are a techy person, this is the most convenient way to ride because you can purchase passes or use it as you go. 

In addition, you can check real-time bus, train, or mover location and other perks.

App: Miami Transit App

Talking about perks, all cards, and ticket users can show their card at participating stores and restaurants for additional discounts. 

Here’s the list Easy Perks

Easy Card and Easy Ticket can be purchased at any Metrorail Station and in some authorized stores. 

See details here: Easy Card Sales Outlets

Each person needs his/her card or ticket since they cannot be used for more than one person at a time. 

Easy Card and Easy Ticket or App can be used for either bus or rail. 

Map: Metrorail Map 

Paying Cash

If you’re going to use the system for just one or two times, you might want to pay cash. But be aware that you must have the exact amount since the driver will not give you change.

In fact, the driver will not even touch the money. You need to enter the bills and/or coins one by one at the device collecting the money located next to the driver. Each person has to pay its fare in the exact amount of cash.

Are You Arriving At Miami International Airport (MIA)?

MIA to Miami Beach

If you’re arriving into the MIA and you want affordable transportation to Miami Beach, here’s your info.

Follow the signs to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and follow the signs to the Metrobus station.

Do you want plenty of detailed information about Miami International Airport? Don’t miss this post.

Route 150 (Miami Beach Airport Express)

This route, once leaving the airport, will not stop until arriving in Miami Beach, where it has limited stops, not every other corner like the regular routes, and it will go all the way to South Beach.

Total Itinerary Travel Time: 60 minutes

One-Way Cost: $2:25 

Schedule: Daily from 6:00 am to 11:40 pm 

Running every: 20 minutes

Route Map: Miami Beach / Airport Express Route 150 Map

Route 110 / J

This bus is a regular route that will take you to Miami Beach up to Collins Avenue and the area between 39th and 44th Streets. But this is not the Express Route. It will take a longer time since it will be stopping every other corner from the moment of leaving the airport. This bus is only convenient if you travel light and do not mind riding through many neighborhoods. Please, note that this route does not reach South Beach.

One-Way Cost: $2:25 

Schedule and Route Map: Route 110 / J Map & Schedule

MIA to Port of Miami

There are several ways to get to the cruise terminals at the Port of Miami from MIA, which I will cover more in detail in a future post. Here I will only cover the one using Public Transportation.

This is the most affordable and fast way, but it will only be convenient for you if you don’t mind a little walking (about three blocks), and if you travel light.

Follow the signs to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and follow the signs to the Metrorail station.

Purchase a ticket in one of the versions that I mentioned earlier in one of the vending machines and head to the train.

There’s only one train to take in one direction, so you will not get lost at all. You do have to pay attention to the station names and get off at Government Center Station, which is seven stations away. 

When you get to the Government Center Station

Follow the signs to the Metromover Station located only one floor down.

Metromover is free. You will need to take the OMNI Loop. There are two other loops or routes, but you need to take the OMNI loop.

Get off at Freedom Tower Station located on NE 2nd Avenue, head south to NE 5th Street. Head East now (to your left) and walk one block to Biscayne Blvd.

From here, you can see the entrance to the Port of Miami,  and you can walk to the cruise terminal if you want to. It will take you about 25 minutes to cross the bridge and get to the terminals.

Or you can cross Biscayne Blvd, and right by the “BAYSIDE” big blue letters, you will find the Trolley Stop that will take you to the cruise terminals. Enjoy the short ride, and take some pictures!

Total One-Way Cost: $2:25

Metrorail: Metrorail Map & Schedule

Coral Way Trolley: Coral Way Trolley Map

Google Map Walking Path

MIA to Downtown Miami

If you just want to get to Downtown Miami, you need to take the Metrorail as explained above, and when you get to Government Center Station, you are at the heart of Downtown Miami.

Remember to use the free Metromover to move around, which has three distinctive routes or loops.

They are the OMNI Loop – going North, Brickell Loop – going South, and Inner Loop – circling Downtown.

Here’s a great walking tour in the Downtown Area.

Map: Metromover Map

MIA Surroundings

If you are spending a few hours at the airport and want to visit the surroundings, the Flagami Trolley is a great and free option.

Follow the signs to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and follow the signs to the Metrobus station. Then, follow the signs to the Trolley stop, which is outside at the street level.

Wait for the trolley to show up and hop in. No tipping is allowed, but a “Thank you, sir” will mean a lot to the driver.

After a few minutes of riding, you will pass by a park, a casino, and lots of restaurants and shops frequented by locals, which means good quality and value for your money.

Make sure you calculate plenty of time to go back to the airport. Distances at MIA are long, and from the MIC to your terminal might take you between 30 to 45 minutes if you’re a fast walker.

Schedule: Mon-Sat 6:30 am to 11:00 pm every 15 to 30 minutes. Ask the driver.

Map: Flagami Trolley Map

238 East/West Connection

This route offers another option if you have a layover of several hours or you’re staying near the airport. It’s a great option if you are interested in shopping because it connects you to two popular malls, The International Mall and the Dolphin Mall.

This is not a free service, though. It’s a regular route, which means it will have several stops for pick up and drop off of passengers.

Again, make sure you calculate plenty of time to go back to the airport. Distances at MIA are long, and from the MIC to your terminal might take you between 30 to 45 minutes if you’re a fast walker.

It takes 52 minutes from the airport to the Dolphin Mall at the end of the route, if the way is clear of traffic, and 52 minutes to get back. No service on Saturday and Sunday.

Schedule and Map: Malls Connection –  Route 238 Map

Miami – Ft. Lauderdale – Palm Beach / Tri-Rail

Finally, many visitors are interested in public transportation between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. And the answer is yes, there are several ways to connect both cities by bus and train, but that could take a whole new post.

So, here I will only refer to the most used, which is connecting both major airports, Miami International and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International.

Actually, the name Tri-Rail comes from the fact that this rail system links three counties, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.

That means you can even get further away and even connect to Palm Beach International.

Tri-Rail fares vary with the distance you travel, and you can also get the tickets in the vending machines located in the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and each Tri-Rail station.

Follow the signs to the MIC, and follow the signs to the Tri-Rail station.

Schedules, Maps and Fares: https://www.tri-rail.com/

If you are going to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, the station is the Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport Station. If you go to the Palm Beach airport, the station is West Palm Beach Station.

In both cases, when you arrive at the station, you will have to take a free shuttle that will take you from the station to the airport since the Tri-Rail stations are not right at the airports like in the case of Miami. But there is nothing to worry about because they leave and arrive at the airport very frequently. I say this from my own experience.

Tri-Rail Platform at MIA Station

MIC – Miami Intermodal Center

By now, you have read the term MIC several times and, to say in other words, it is a building located next to MIA where different types of transportation converge for all passengers’ easy access. 

Besides de Metrorail, Metrobuses, Trolley, and Tri-Rail, you can also find long-distance buses, taxis, and car rentals. More about the MIC here.

These are other routes that you can catch at the MIC:

Route 37

To the North, it goes all the way to Hialeah. To the South, it reaches South Miami through Miami and Coral Gables.

Metrorail Stations: Hialeah, Douglas Road, and South Miami.

Schedule and Map: Route 37 Map & Schedule

Route 42

To the North, it goes all the way to Opa-Locka. To the South, Miami, and Coral Gables.

Metrorail Stations: Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer, Opa-Locka Tri-Rail, and Douglas Road.

Schedule and Map: Route 42 Map & Schedule

Route 57

It only goes toward the South from MIA to Kendall to Jackson South Hospital, passing by Miami and South Miami.

Metrorail Stations: South Miami.

Schedule and Map: Route 57 Map & Schedule

CONCLUSION

I hope this information helps you in some way and if it does, please let me know in the comments below. If you think there’s additional information I should include in the post, please let me know as well. 

Do you have any experience you want to share with us? Please, comment below. 

Whether you are going or coming, visiting for the first time, if you are a frequent visitor, or even if you live in Miami, I really wish you happy and safe travels always! God bless!

Ed Alemany

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