MIA is one of the busiest international airports in the country. With a long and fascinating history, MIA has grown to act as the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America. With over 40 million passengers passing through each year, MIA is a beloved and well-recognized airport. The food, shopping, and general atmosphere of the airport reflects Florida in diversity and laid-back nature. With increasing prices on parking, TravelCar is your best option for savings at MIA. In addition to offering great prices, TravelCar has partnered lots all over the country, offers a Free Parking program, and even lets you research and book lots instantly online. The closest parking lots to MIA are only ten minutes away and offer to-the-curb valet service at a fraction of the price of on-site parking. TravelCar is a highly-rated, trustworthy company, with secure, safe, and clean lots. TravelCar’s customer service is top notch, and you won’t find anything like it elsewhere. Traveling to and from the airport is quickest and easiest by car, but other options, such as Metrorail and Tri-Rail, do exist and are very convenient. Before you leave, always make sure to allot plenty of extra time for yourself at the airport, and don’t be afraid to get valet and carwash service; service will save you stress and will still only be a fraction of on-site parking.
Once known by the quaint moniker “Wilcox Field,” Miami International Airport now represents one of the largest and most well-recognized airports in the United States. As a hub for travelers of all types and a destination for eager tourists hoping to bask in the beautiful Florida sun, Miami acts as the gateway to the American Southeast. For many travelers, Miami will be the first location they’ll see before visiting Walt Disney World to the North in Orlando or the Keys and Caribbean Islands to the South.
More than 40 million passengers pass through MIA each year, many of whom arrive on international flights. In fact, Miami International Airport handles so many international flights that they are the number one airport in the United States for international cargo. With four large runways welcoming flights from all over the world, Miami International is truly the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean Isles.
MIA is the lifeblood of long-distance transit to and from Florida, serving as a hub for American Airlines and a focus city for Avianca and Frontier. It is the historical hub of almost a dozen other airlines which have since merged with larger lines or restructured. The airport has been vital to the region since the early 1920s. Throughout the 20s, the current location of the airport was home to multiple airfields, the first being Miami City Airport. From then until the 70s, these airfields changed hands, grew, and were ultimately acquired by the city to serve international flights to Latin America and Europe.
MIA is the 12th largest airport in the United States, meaning it falls just behind Sky Harbor of Phoenix, AZ and just ahead of Newark Liberty International Airport of New Jersey. Interestingly, the airport itself is not located within Miami proper, instead residing in an unincorporated area of the Miami-Dade County of Florida. Still, it is only an 8-mile drive from the downtown of Miami to the doors of the airport.
Miami is one of the busiest cities in the United States, which means that getting to and from the airport can be a challenge if you don’t know in advance where you’ll be able to park your car. Many travelers arrive for a flight at MIA only to find that they’ll need to pay out hundreds of dollars they hadn’t prepared for, just to get parking! Thankfully, TravelCar is helping to make such surprises a thing of the past. Their rates at MIA beat out on-site rates without making you have to walk long distances or drive circles looking for a spot. This guide will help you get to and from the airport while finding the right parking for your budget!
Address | IATA Code | Airport Type | Phone Number | Airport Traffic | Coordinates |
2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33142 | MIA | Public International Airport | 305-876-7000 #2 | Approximately 42 Million Passengers per year | 25.793333, -80.290556 |
Miami International Airport aims to excel as one of America’s primary international gateways, with fantastic food and shopping offerings that will delight any traveler. Much like the general culture of Florida, Miami’s food offerings are diverse and laid-back, welcoming weary travelers to the tropical warmth with a smile and a delicious meal. Take Beaudevin, for example; a gourmet bistro serving top-notch wine, Beaudevin is ready to serve those on the go and those looking to sit and relax alike.
Meanwhile, for the shoppers, there are outlets like Bijoux Terner which sells unique, fashionable clothing, jewelry, and handbags designed to help travelers take a bit of Florida home with them. Bayside Brush is a remarkable shop located in MIA’s Terminal G. Offering a stunning selection of hairbrushes and hair accessories, Bayside Brush is a pleasant surprise for the many travelers who rue the chaos travel can throw on our appearance.
Miami International also has an impressive offering of duty-free merchandise for travelers looking to take high-quality items home without the expenses associated with importing. Looking for luxury products like Chanel, Mont Blanc, or Grey Goose? Miami International’s multiple duty-free stores have you covered so that you can bring that shiny new item home for yourself or a special someone in your life.
The unfortunate fact of the current economy is that airport parking at major airports continues to rise in price year after year, especially for airports that are growing in popularity. Miami is a busy city, and parking at the airport can be stunningly expensive, especially if you don’t know what to prepare for. What’s more is that busy airports like MIA with heavy international travel often have space limitations at their lots. This issue leads to limited availability, surge pricing (in some locations,) and long walks for travelers who have to park far from the terminal entrance.
It’s possible, though, to avoid all the troubles of parking on-site by using TravelCar. TravelCar is a company that has built an impressive network of independent parking lots with centralized booking online. You can book low cost parking that is nearby the airport in a matter of minutes. With TravelCar’s commitments to travelers and quality of service, you’ll find that most lots will get you to the airport faster than on-site parking.
TravelCar’s partnered lots have regular, quick shuttles that bring you right to the front door of the airport. If you’ve got a lot of luggage, you’ll be happy to know that many TravelCar lots go above and beyond, offering valet and carwash service, so you can park, get to the airport, and come back to a clean car ready on the curb for you when you return. These benefits, through TravelCar, are available at cheap parking lots all across the country!
TravelCar also offers a unique program that no other parking company offers; the Free Parking Rideshare program. Here’s how it works: You park your car for free at any travel car lot for the entirety of your vacation. While you’re gone, other trusted TravelCar customers can rent your car and will return it before you arrive back from your trip. TravelCar insures your car while you’re gone, and they’ll even give you a slice of the rental fees. You get free parking whether or not your car is rented during your trip.
If you’ll be driving when you arrive at your final destination, you’ll be able to use TravelCar to save there, too. TravelCar partnered lots are all over the country at stadiums, train stations, major ports, and more in addition to major airports. If you’ll be traveling to NYC, you’ll find TravelCar’s incredible, cheap parking all over Manhattan. If you’re heading to Seattle for a tech conference, you’ll be able to find parking from SEATAC to downtown with the great rates and service that TravelCar has to offer.
Best of all, you’ll be able to check out every parking lot nearby MIA in advance on TravelCar’s site; each partner lot has full reviews, shuttle time predictions, shuttle schedule, and more available with just one click from the parking lot list. Instead of going in blind and getting hit with unfair prices, you can choose the lot that’s right for you and the prices that fit your budget.
The nearest parking lot to all of MIA’s terminals is Park to Travel Outdoor and Indoor Valet. With airport valet available, the trip to or from the airport from this lot is only 10 minutes. The valet shuttle service from the airport is available on-demand, 24/7, while the lot is open for new arrivals from 4:00 A.M. until 1:00 A.M. Rates for uncovered valet parking with this TravelCar partner lot start as low as $7.95 while indoor parking costs only $9.95 per day.
Meanwhile, valet parking on-site costs $30 a day, and standard parking costs $17 per day. On-site parking at such a major airport often means walking long distances with your luggage before you check in for your flight, and you’ll still be paying more than you would if you went with the TravelCar valet option.
TravelCar lots are cheaper and functionally closer to the airport. Instead of paying pointless premiums for no benefit, save yourself the stress and the money by planning ahead.
Of course, the primary reason to put TravelCar into your travel plans is the savings. You’ll pay significantly less for parking, and you’ll be able to know more about the lot your car will stay in. Savings through TravelCar are impressive; you’ll often find that TravelCar lot rates are fractions of the price of on-site parking.
Secondly, the service you’ll receive from TravelCar lots is simply better than you’ll find elsewhere. TravelCar vets their lots thoroughly, and they have an in-house customer service team on hand so you’ll always have someone on hand to help you should you need to make changes or should you run into any unpredictable issues.
TravelCar has maintained a score greater than nine on TrustPilot, with fantastic reviews all across the web to boot. Their team is dedicated to ensuring you have a safe, stress-free, and affordable trip, and they’re ready to put their good reputation to work.
Finally, the quality of TravelCar lots gives them a huge advantage over on-site parking at many major locations. TravelCar lots are safe, clean, and secure with many offering 24-hour security patrols, guarded entries, and video surveillance. You’ll be able to check out what security features each lot offers before you book, so you’ll be 100% informed of what you’re paying for.
Thankfully, the City of Miami and the Miami-Dade County have organized, over the years, many public transit options to get from the airport to various destinations within the city. While public transit to the airport is very popular, many travelers will likely desire to drive, as the convenience offered to drivers is not to be underestimated. Here’s how you can find your way to and from the airport through various means:
For travelers going to or from the Miami Downtown, the Miami Metrorail Orange Line will likely be the best option. This line runs directly from the airport to Downtown, South Miami, the Civic Center, and more major destinations. The transit time to and from Miami International and the Miami Downtown ranges between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day and passenger loads.
The Tri-Rail commuter train also runs directly to and from MIA. Riders of the Tri-Rail system can get from MIA to Miami Downtown, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and many more destinations within Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Miami International Airport has negotiated flat rates with approved taxi and rideshare programs which have resulted in the regular fare for a taxi to Miami Downtown being about 20 dollars. Taxis are the most expensive option to and from the airport in general.
For most drivers coming from Downtown Miami, the I-95 N route will be the most simple and effective. Driving by personal car usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. To get from Downtown to the Airport, take I-95 N until exit 4B (FL-112 W.) From FL-112 W, you’ll watch for signs to the airport via FL-953 S. Thankfully, the proximity of the airport to Downtown means that traffic is less impactful on this route for travelers.
Before you fly, there are a few more things to prepare for to ensure you don't run into any unnecessary hitches in your trip. First, always be sure that you give yourself a comfortable margin of extra time. Getting to the airport early is always good since you never know how long security, baggage check-in, and terminal transit will take for sure.
Second, take your time in weighing your parking options. You can likely save yourself a lot of stress and time by electing valet and carwash, ensuring you arrive home to a car on the curb that’s clean and ready to go. You can’t put a dollar value on stress saved!
With these final preparations out of the way, you can get yourself comfortable on your flight and enjoy your trip!