Which means of transport to use à MIAMI?
Organize your stay à MIAMI
From the airport to the city centre à MIAMI
Florida has four international airports: Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Tampa (TPA). From France, it's advisable to land in Miami (direct flights from Paris CDG in 9h45). If you're coming to Florida to visit the theme parks, it's a good idea (and cheaper) to land directly in Orlando. Air France is the only airline offering direct flights from Paris to Orlando.
To get to downtown Miami from the airport, you have several options:
By cab: count US$35 to get to South Beach, US$25-30 to Coconut Grove or Downtown (30-minute ride to South Beach, slightly less to Downtown).
By Lyft or Uber: it will cost you US$30 to get from the airport to South Beach. Remember to install the app on your smartphone before you fly to Miami.
Private shuttle: a compromise between cab and bus, the shuttle takes you to your hotel for an intermediate price of US$20 to US$25, depending on your destination. The 9-passenger vans (you share the vehicle with other passengers) are comfortable and air-conditioned, and departures are very frequent.
With the Tri-rail: the station is located east of the airport between LeJeune Road and NW21st Street. A free shuttle bus runs to the station from the airport terminus for those with a valid Tri-rail ticket.
By Metrorail: if you're staying in Downtown, you can take the Metrorail Orange Line (US$2.25 per trip)
By bus: this is the longest and cheapest way to get downtown (US$2.25). The bus terminal is just a few meters from the airport. There is an express bus to Miami Beach, the 150, which runs from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. This bus has a special compartment for luggage, stops at16th Street and from there you can take a connection depending on where you need to go in South Beach (S, M, L for example). Please note that the drivers don't stop at every stop, but you can indicate your destination as you board the bus so that you'll be warned when it's time to stop.
By rental car: it's best to reserve your car in advance. Free rail shuttles take you to the Car Rental Center, where all the car rental companies are located. Allow 20 minutes to get there, as you have to pass over several conveyor belts to reach the right terminal and then wait a few minutes for the shuttle (the journey takes 5 minutes). It's important to keep these 20 minutes in mind for the day you return your vehicle, so you don't arrive too late for your flight check-in...
Arrival by train à MIAMI
Miami is served by the American company Amtrak (francais.amtrak.com).
The high-speed Brightline train (gobrightline.com) connects Miami to Orlando in 3 hours, compared with around 4? hours by car via Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
Arrival by boat à MIAMI
Ferries run between Marco Island and Key West (3h30 crossing) or Fort Myers and Key West (4h). There are no ferries from the Port of Miami.
If you'd like to cruise from Miami to the Bahamas (from 2 nights), there are many options.
Public transport à MIAMI
Miami's city buses are often very late, and there are too many stops. If you're in the Downtown area, take the Metrorail (US$2.25 a ticket) or the Metromover (free). Single tickets can be purchased directly on the buses (cash or contactless payment) or at Metrorail stations (credit cards accepted). There are also 1-day passes (US$5.65) and 7-day passes (US$29.25) valid on the bus and metro networks, to be loaded onto an Easy Card (purchase cost US$2). This card can be purchased online or at a Metrorail station.
Bike, scooters & co à MIAMI
Citi Bike (http://citibikemiami.com) is Miami's bike-share rental service. Rentals are available by the hour and by the day. There are also numerous bike rental stores throughout the city (especially in South Beach).
With a driver à MIAMI
VTCs such as Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous, and the rates are cheaper than in France. However, there can be price differences between the two companies for the same trip, so we advise you to download both applications to make the comparison. If you are alone or in pairs, you should know that shared rides are even cheaper.
Tip: It's easy to find a coupon code to use on your first few rides.
It is customary to leave 10% to 15% of the fare as a tip. Usually, cab drivers will take it from you automatically or you can add it via the Uber or Lyft app.
By car à MIAMI
If you're not planning to leave Miami, it's best to skip the car rental and get around by foot, bike, bus or Uber! Indeed, traffic in the city is becoming increasingly tense. Not only is free parking almost non-existent, but it's also very expensive (between US$30 and US$50 per 24 hours), although you can always find a few exceptions. Most hotel parking lots in Miami also charge a fee.
Car rental. The minimum age for renting a car is 21, and young driver fees may apply up to age 25 (depending on the company).
To drive in the state of Florida, a French driver's license is officially sufficient, but the French consulate in Miami advises you to apply for an international driver's license (permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr) to present with your French license.
Numerous car rental companies operate in the cities and at the airports. It's best to book your car in advance, as prices have risen drastically in recent years. Some companies offer discounts to Gold cardholders.
Another option is to rent a car from private individuals via the Turo platform (equivalent to Ouicar in France). Rates are generally much lower.
Speeds are indicated in mph(miles per hour). In terms of regulations, the speed limit is 65 mph (105 km/h) to 70 mph (115 km/h) on freeways. The blood alcohol level must not exceed 0.08 g/l.
Traffic rules and signs are largely the same as in Europe, but there are a few exceptions. For example, it is possible to turn right at a red light if the lane is clear, under the "first come, first served" rule. However, a stop sign must be marked in the same way as a stop sign. Also, when driving on the freeway, pay close attention to exit signs: they can be on the right as well as the left. And don't forget that traffic can be very heavy, especially on the outskirts of big cities. It's not uncommon to drive on five- or six-lane roads - impressive at first, but you soon get used to it!
Freeways are subject to tolls, but it's relatively easy to avoid them and drive free of charge, although this does lengthen the journey time. To do this, check the "avoid tolls" option on your GPS. However, if you prefer to save time, we advise you to opt for the Sun Pass, the equivalent of electronic toll collection in France. It's available in the form of a box (often an optional extra when renting a car) or as a sticker to be affixed to the windscreen. The latter is the more economical option, costing just US$4.95 to purchase (as opposed to several tens of dollars with the car rental company). All you have to do is load the SunPass on the Internet (explanations provided at the time of purchase). As well as being economical, there are dedicated lanes for SunPass users, which saves time. Alternatively, you can pay by card or cash at each tollgate.
As for parking, it's often expensive, especially in Miami. There are several apps to help you find the cheapest parking lots around your location.
Accessibility à MIAMI
Florida is a highly accessible destination for people with disabilities and families with strollers. Thanks to modern infrastructures and accessibility standards, tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and public transport, as well as beaches and national parks, are generally well adapted.
Tourist traps à MIAMI
Be aware of common pitfalls: beware of unofficial cabs, dubious tickets for transport or theme parks, hidden charges for car rentals or restaurants in very touristy areas, and overly attractive offers (excursions, time-shares). Always give preference to official service providers, check contracts and tickets carefully, and avoid buying from unauthorized vendors. By using reputable platforms for your bookings, you'll be able to enjoy your stay with complete peace of mind.
