If you book a cruise from Florida, chances are you’ll be flying into Miami from another part of the country. To avoid missing your ship’s departure due to flight cancellations or delays, it’s best to arrive in Miami at least one day before your cruise and spend the night near Port Miami.

But, where should you stay? From budget-friendly dorm rooms to furnished apartments to luxury suites and everything in between, this guide to the best hotels near the Port of Miami will walk you through the entire range of accommodation in the city. Then, we’ll even help you save money with expert travel tips on booking and transportation!

Ready to get started? Ensure a hassle-free stopover in the Cruise Capital of the World with this guide to the best hotels near the Port of Miami!

Closest Hotels to the Port of Miami

Port Miami is located on Dodge Island in Biscayne Bay. If proximity to the port is your main concern when booking a hotel, the two best neighborhoods to stay in are Downtown Miami and South Beach because Dodge Island is situated between them.

The only entrance to Dodge Island is from Downtown Miami, so from South Beach cars must cross the MacArthur Causeway and drive through Downtown Miami to access the Port of Miami. Still, hotels in South Beach like Urbanica the Meridian and ORANGE are only ten minutes from the port by car.

Other nearby hotel options in South Beach include:

• Sense Beach House
• Room Mate Lord Balfour Hotel
• SoBe Hostel and Bar
• Blanc Kara
• Mariott Stanton South Beach
• The Savoy Hotel – South Beach
• Mondrian Caffe
• Kimpton Angler’s Hotel
• The Savoy Hotel South Beach
• Hotel Victor

Cheap Hotels Near the Port of Miami

Forbes once called Miami the third most expensive place to live in the US, but it’s still possible to find affordable accommodation in the city before your cruise – if you know where to look, that is.

The best way to save money in Miami is by staying in shared dorm rooms in hostels. Prices, of course, vary by date, but you can find dorm beds for around $24 to $36 per night in South Beach at the Bikini Hostel Cafe and Bar, the Ocean Blue Hostel, Rock Hostel, SoBe Hostel and Bar, and South Beach Rooms and Hostel.

Downtown Miami is more expensive than South Beach and the cheapest options here – The Leamington Hotel and the Miami Sun Hotel – will still run you around $85 and $90 per night for a standard double room.

No matter where you decide to stay, booking early will help you save money. Cruise season is year-round in Miami, but the busiest months are in the winter between November and April. If you’re traveling during this period, book your hotel as early as possible to snag the best deals before rooms sell out.

Luxury Hotels Near the Port of Miami

Is there any US city more synonymous with opulence and excess than Miami? Whether you’re looking for five-star suites, over-the-top pools, spectacular restaurants, or all of the above, this list of The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Miami has you covered.

Some of the standouts on it include the Villa Casa Casuarina, a renovated 1930s mansion with 24-karat gold-tiled pool, the Faena Hotel Miami Beach, designed by the masterminds behind the cinematographic masterpieces Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, and The Setai hotel with three temperature-controlled infinity pools and a luxury spa to pamper yourself at before you set sail.

Apartment Rentals Near the Port of Miami

Are you looking for something a bit more comfortable than a standard hotel room? If you’re planning to stay in Miami for a few days before you depart on your cruise or just like to be surrounded by the creature comforts of home, consider renting an apartment near the Port of Miami.

Airbnb has more than 300 options in the city, some of which are entire apartments while others are only a room in a shared space. You can also filter the results by facilities you want like gyms, hot tubs, or pools.

The best thing about Airbnb is that it makes it easy to find unique homes in Miami. Try something new and book a room in a Geodesic Dome Home or relax and unwind in a private suite on an eco-farm outside of the city. For the more adventurous, there’s also a tiki hut, a treehouse on a permaculture farm, and over 100 sailboats and private yachts with rooms for rent!

Where to Book Your Stay Near Port of Miami

After you explore the above options, head over to these booking resources to lock in your stay.

Transportation to the Port of Miami

Keep in mind that PortMiami is large and serves multiple cruise lines across multiple terminals, so it’s essential to know exactly where you need to go before you leave your hotel. Once you have that information ready (and written down somewhere easy-to-access) it’s time to head out on your adventure!

There are three common ways to get to the Port of Miami from nearby hotels. You can take a hotel shuttle, call a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, or drive your own car and park onsite.

This list of 24 Miami Hotels with Shuttles to the Cruise Port will give you a better idea of what kind of shuttle service to expect. While some hotels offer complimentary rides, most are $8 to $10 per person. Before booking your hotel, check their website or call the front desk to iron out the details of their shuttle service.

Another easy way to reach PortMiami is with a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft. If you’re in a group of three or four, the flat rate for these rides may be even cheaper than the shuttle service, and because you can call them on your own schedule they’re often more convenient as well. Fares will vary based on your location and traffic at the time of your trip, but you can get an estimate any time from the apps by simply putting in your hotel and the Port of Miami to check current prices.

Finally, you can also drive to PortMiami and park onsite for $22 per night. Some hotels offer parking packages that can save you money, though, so make sure to ask yours about cruise parking before you go!

Discover the Best Hotels Near PortMiami With This Guide

If you’re flying into Miami for a cruise, it’s prudent to pad your travel time and arrive a day early to ensure airline delays or cancellations won’t make you miss your trip.

There’s plenty to do, see, eat, and discover in Miami to fill your time and hundreds of hotel and apartment options for every type of traveler. Whether you want to save a few bucks and stay at a dorm room in a hostel, splash out at a five-star resort, or even book somewhere memorable like a yacht or a treehouse, this guide to the best hotels near the Port of Miami will help you find the perfect fit for your travel style!

Explore these options, book your favorite, and enjoy your cruise!

-Di Minardi (that’s me!), travel blogger at Slight North