South Beach, one of the city's most iconic and cosmopolitan districts, sits roughly 12.5 miles (20 km) from Miami International Airport. Heading from MIA to South Beach or Ocean Drive, you can pick a taxi, a booked private transfer, a rental car, or the wallet-friendly Miami Beach Airport Express bus. Which one fits depends on your budget and how you like to travel.
Recommendation: cheapest is Metrorail Orange Line ($2.25); fastest is Taxi (metered) (~20 min). Transit costs $2.25 per passenger and the free MIA Mover links the terminal to the Metrorail station; taxi and ride-hail are metered estimates for up to 4 people per car.
Estimates only · meter rates and the $2 airport fee are official (Miami-Dade); distances are approximate road miles. Updated 2026-06-10. Verify live fares with the operator.
Grabbing a cab from Miami Airport to South Beach is about as simple as it gets. Official ranks line up just outside the Arrivals level exit doors, where yellow taxis wait around the clock. Black taxis turn up too, run mostly by smaller firms, and they are every bit as official.
Fares run on the meter, so the final figure shifts with traffic. On a normal day the ride to South Beach lands near 40$ / 37€, airport surcharge included (metered rates set by Miami-Dade County). Luggage, wheelchairs, child seats, and pets add nothing to the bill.
Reckon on about 25 minutes when the roads are clear. A trip out to Ocean Drive takes roughly the same.
Tip: A gratuity of 15% to 20% is standard for good service. Cash and card are generally fine, but confirm card acceptance before you set off.
The cheapest way across is the bus. To get going, make your way to the MIA Mover Station on Level 3, tucked between the Flamingo and Dolphin Garages.
The free MIA Mover runs 24/7 at four-minute intervals and takes about 4 minutes to reach the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC). There you board Metrobus Route 150, better known as the Miami Beach Airport Express.
Metrobus 150 links the airport straight to South Beach with only a handful of stops en route. Counting the MIA Mover leg, the whole trip runs roughly 45 to 50 minutes. Your main drop-off for the area is Washington Ave & 13 St.
Buses run from 06:00 am to 11:40 pm, leaving every 20 to 30 minutes. A one-way ticket is 2.25$ / 2.10€, while eligible riders such as children and seniors pay 1.10$ / 1€ (fares set by Miami-Dade Transit).
Tickets are sold onboard (cash or card), through the Go Miami-Dade Transit App, or via an EASY Card or EASY Ticket.
Tip: Bound for Ocean Drive instead? Allow about 52 minutes by bus, with the nearest stop at Washington Ave & South Pointe Dr.
Picking up a rental at the airport works well for anyone who wants full independence and flexibility. Plenty of agencies operate at MIA, between them offering a wide spread of vehicles at competitive prices.
The drive over typically eats up around 25 minutes in normal traffic. Ocean Drive sits about the same distance away time-wise.
Be warned that parking at the beach can be both tricky and costly. Free spaces are scarce, and while public garages and street parking come cheaper, demand stays high. If your accommodation has no parking of its own, reserving a spot ahead is strongly advised.
A booked transfer is the smooth, stress-free way to cover the stretch from Miami International Airport to South Beach. With this choice, your driver greets you at the airport, helps with the luggage, and leads you straight to a pre-booked car parked outside the terminal.
This option earns its keep with travelers who want comfort, reliability, and a personal touch. On top of that, seasoned local drivers will often pass on handy tips and pointers to help you get the most out of your time in South Beach.
Fares change periodically — check current rates on the official sources for airport taxis and Miami-Dade Transit.
