Miami travel guide: planning your stay

Getting there and choosing your base

Miami International (MIA): West of the city and a major gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, so queues can be long. The MIA Mover shuttle train links the terminals to the Miami Intermodal Center, where Metrorail runs to Government Center downtown; for Miami Beach a bus or taxi is needed.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL): North in Broward County, smaller and often cheaper to fly into. A shuttle connects to the Tri-Rail station at Dania Beach for trains south towards Miami, but no train crosses to Miami Beach, so allow for a road transfer if you are staying on the beach.
Brightline and Amtrak: Brightline runs from Orlando International Airport via West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to downtown Miami, close to the Metromover. Amtrak's long-distance trains from New York end at a station in the north-west of the city near Hialeah, a long way from the beaches.

Areas to consider

South Beach (Miami Beach)

Suits beach-goers and nightlife fans who want the Art Deco district and Ocean Drive on foot. Rooms in restored 1930s Deco buildings are often small, so check the floor area if you need space for luggage or a cot.

Mid-Beach and North Beach

Suits families and longer stays that want a beachfront tower without the late-night crowds further south. Check how far the property is from the restaurants of South Beach, because the walk along Collins Avenue is long and buses are slow.

Downtown and Brickell

Suits business travellers, cruise passengers and anyone using Metrorail, with high-rise hotels on the bay. Check the nearest Metromover station, since the free loop links Brickell, downtown and the arena but does not cross to the beach.

Coconut Grove

Suits visitors who prefer a leafy bayfront village with marinas and a slower pace, south of downtown. Ask whether the hotel runs a shuttle or has parking included, as public transport to the beaches from here is limited.

When to go

High season runs from about November to April, when the mainland is cold and Miami stays warm; music conferences and spring break in March push beach rates higher still. June to November brings heat, afternoon thunderstorms and the Atlantic hurricane season, and rooms are cheaper, but keep an eye on forecasts.

Before choosing a room

Some Miami hotels add a service charge to the bill, and whether it applies can depend on where you booked; ask before arrival so it does not come as a surprise at check-out.
If you are renting a car, ask whether the hotel has its own garage or only valet parking, and what it costs per night; on the beach, street spaces are hard to find.
A restaurant at the front of a small South Beach hotel can lift its star rating without saying much about the rooms; read recent reviews of the rooms themselves, not the venue downstairs.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on 30 October 2026. Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.