What’s the best way to get from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami?
The two destinations are eight miles apart, but we’ll help you make the trip with your group, luggage, and sanity in one piece.
This transportation guide breaks down the cheapest travel options between the airport and the port, the fastest options, and even some unique choices like party buses and exotic cars! Whether you want to save a few bucks on the Miami-Dade bus, splash out on limo ride, or organize transport for 50+ people, we have all the info you need to know to make travel from the Miami Airport to your next cruise departure a total breeze.
Buses and Shuttles from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami
Independent shuttle companies, cruise shuttle companies, and City of Miami buses are some common ways to get from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami.
Independent Shuttle Companies
Independent shuttle companies aren’t associated with any cruise line or the Miami Airport. But, the offer shared rides to passengers traveling between popular destinations (like the Miami Airport and Port of Miami) to help make the trip more economical for small groups. Some independent shuttle companies are:
- Super Shuttle – $13.50 per person
- Express Shuttle Miami – $10 per person
- Metro Shuttle Service – $15 per person
- Florida Sunshine Shuttle – $70 for groups of one to four people
Pre-book your shuttle service before you arrive. Prices can vary based on group size, time, and dates of travel, so compare options online to find the best deals!
Cruise Shuttles
Some cruise lines also offer shuttle services for their passengers between the Miami Airport and the Port of Miami. This is usually more expensive than independent shuttle companies. Disney Cruises offer shuttle services between the two destinations, as well as Princess Cruises and many others. Ask about adding this option to your purchase when booking your cruise.
Miami-Dade Transit Bus
There is a Miami Beach Airport Express bus that will get you from the Miami Airport to Miami Beach or South Beach for $2.25 per person. This bus runs from the airport from 6 am to 11:40 pm every day and you can click here to see the exact route and get more details on the trip.
It won’t take you directly to the port, but it’s a good choice for travelers who have a few hours to kill before their cruise and want to spend them relaxing on the sand or in some of the city’s best bars and restaurants at Miami Beach and South Beach. Then, from the two beaches, an Uber or Lyft to Port Miami when you’re ready to set sail should only take another 10 to 15 minutes.
Private Transport from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami
If you don’t want to pre-book your transit or deal with shared options, there are plenty of ways to take private cars from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami as well. Three options to choose from are taxis, ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft, and rental cars.
Taxi
Taxis charge a flat fee of $27 to take passengers from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami. In exchange for paying a bit more than a ridesharing app, you get the convenience of not having to call a ride and wait for pick up because taxis are usually lined up at the door waiting to whisk you away the moment you step outside. If you’re in a hurry, this is the fastest way to get from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami for your cruise.
Ridesharing Apps
Ridesharing apps are cheaper than taxis. Uber and Lyft are two of the most popular apps, and to use them all you need to do is download them to your phone before you go. Then, simply enter the pick-up place (the Miami Airport) and your destination (the Port of Miami) and a car will arrive in a few minutes. Usually, there will be a designated place in the airport to meet rideshare drivers, and your app will point you in the right direction.
Ridesharing apps are cheaper than taxis (this trip costs around $15 to $20) and they’re convenient because you can split fares with others in your group. Unlike the flat taxi rate, this fare can vary based on demand and traffic, but you will see the estimated cost for your trip before you book.
Rental Car
If you plan to spend a few days in Miami before your cruise, you may choose to rent a car at the Miami Airport. Companies like Alamo will allow you to drop off your rental car at their offices near the Port of Miami for an extra fee. Then, all you need to do is travel from the offices to the port with a quick Uber ride. Every rental company is different, though, and has different locations, so make sure to check your options carefully before you book!
Unique Transportation from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, these five ways get from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami are a little more fun than the typical Uber or shuttle. Check them out below!
Limo
Want to board your cruise in style? Miami Limo Service has stretch limos with a full bar for the 25-minute ride. Stretch limos and stretch SUVs hold up to ten people while the super stretch limo can take up to 14. Click here to get a quote for your limo pick up.
Party Bus
Party buses are a little more spacious than limos and are also easy to rent for the trip between Miami Aiport and the Port of Miami. Miami Party Bus has rentals for groups of 12, 18, 22, and even 40 people! However, the rental time is usually between two and seven hours, so this is more of a full experience rather than just quick transportation from one destination to the other.
Exotic Cars
Is there any city more suited to exotic cars than Miami? Even if you can’t afford to buy one, live your dream of cruising down the beach in a Lamborghini or Maserati with the Miami Exotic Car Rental Collection by Enterprise. Conveniently located at the Miami Airport, the company has 32 different exotic cars to try out, from Aston Martins and Audis to Rolls-Royce and Teslas and everything in between.
Helicopter
Is it possible to take a helicopter from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami? Well, kind of. Helicopter charter and tour companies do schedule private flights for travelers from the Miami Aiport to destinations around the state and surrounding islands, but the Port of Miami isn’t usually one of them. Although there are helicopter ports at the Port of Miami, they require special permission to use… if you can procure that, a helicopter flight between the airport and your cruise may just be possible!
Walking
The Miami Airport is 7.8 miles by foot from the Port of Miami so walking between the two destinations doesn’t make sense, especially with luggage and bags. If you did choose to tackle the route, you would need two hours and 39 minutes (without breaks) and log more than 20,000 steps.
Bonus: Large Group Transport from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami
For students, family reunions, or other large groups heading to a cruise, getting from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami can quickly become disorganized when trying to pack into multiple taxis or Ubers. Luckily, chartering a bus for large group transport can definitely save a few headaches.
Limo Mia Ground Transportation provides charter bus rentals for the trip between Miami Airport and Port Miami that can hold 50 people and 60 bags. The cost for the rental is $623 which may seem like a lot, but that adds up to only about $12.50 per person. It’s not the cheapest option, but it will surely be easier than rounding up 10 Uber drivers to get your whole group from one destination to the other!
So, what’ll it be?
From large group tours to exotic rides to standard shuttles and everything in between, this transport guide will get you from the Miami Airport to the Port of Miami (and back again) with ease. Choose the best fit for your travel style, make a reservation, and then sit back, relax, and enjoy your cruise!
-Di Minardi (that’s me!), travel blogger at Slight North