Overview
Miami's public transport system is operated primarily by Miami-Dade Transit (MDT), the largest transit operator in Florida. The network consists of heavy rail (Metrorail), elevated automated transit (Metromover), commuter rail (Tri-Rail), and extensive bus services (Metrobus). As a visitor, you'll typically purchase an EASY Card or EASY Ticket fare card, tap it at the entry point, and follow signs to your destination. The system is busiest during winter months and connects downtown Miami, Miami Beach, Miami International Airport (MIA), and surrounding areas.
The network
Metrorail (Heavy Rail)
Metrorail is Miami's heavy rail mass transit system, spanning 24–25 miles with 23 stations across Miami-Dade County. Service runs daily from 5 AM to midnight (or 11:40 PM, depending on the day). During rush hour, trains arrive every 5 minutes on overlapping sections; off-peak service is every 7–15 minutes weekdays and 15–20 minutes on weekends.
- Green Line: Runs from Palmetto Station in the northwest to Dadeland South, serving stations including Okeechobee, Hialeah, Tri-Rail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Brownsville.
- Orange Line: Runs from Earlington Heights to Miami International Airport (MIA), serving Dadeland North, South Miami, University, Douglas Road, Coconut Grove, Vizcaya, Brickell, Government Center, Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre, Culmer, Civic Center, Santa Clara, and Allapattah.
Key interchange stations include Government Center (connections to Metromover) and Brickell (financial district, Metromover connections). The Orange Line reaches MIA in approximately 20 minutes from downtown.
Metromover (Elevated Automated Transit)
Metromover is a free, elevated automated guideway system covering 4.4 miles with 21 stations in downtown Miami and the financial district. It operates daily from 5:30 AM to 10 PM, with trains arriving every 90 seconds during rush hour and approximately every 3 minutes off-peak.
- Inner Loop: Serves downtown, including Bayfront Park (Bayside Marketplace), Adrienne Arsht Center, and Freedom Tower.
- Omni Loop: Extends north to the Arts and Entertainment district.
- Brickell Loop: Serves the financial district, Museum Park (Pérez Art Museum, Frost Science Museum), and Park West (Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat).
Free transfers are available at Government Center and Brickell stations to Metrorail.
Metrobus (Bus Network)
Metrobus operates 95 or more routes across Miami-Dade County, extending into southern Broward County and the Florida Keys. Approximately 800–1,000 buses cover about 29 million miles annually, and some routes operate 24 hours. Service runs 365 days per year. Notable routes for visitors include:
- Route 150 (Miami Beach Airport Express): Connects Miami International Airport to Miami Beach (approximately 45–60 minutes).
- Route 120 (Beach MAX/Circulator): Runs between Aventura Mall and downtown Miami Bus Terminal, serving Miami Beach, Main Library, HistoryMiami Museum, Government Center, Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, and Omni Bus Terminal.
- Route 3: 24-hour service along Biscayne Boulevard.
- Route 8: Little Havana area along Flagler Street.
- Routes 7 and 7A: Near loanDepot Park (Miami Marlins baseball stadium).
Free Trolleys
The City of Miami operates 13 free trolley routes running Monday–Saturday 8 AM–11 PM (every 10–15 minutes) and Sunday 8 AM–11 PM (every 20 minutes). Routes include the Brickell Trolley, Wynwood Trolley (arts district), Little Havana, and Coconut Grove. Miami Beach operates four free trolley routes from 8 AM to 11 PM daily (every 20 minutes), including the South Beach Loop and Collins Express.
Tri-Rail (Regional Commuter Rail)
Tri-Rail is a regional commuter rail system spanning 73 miles and 19 stations across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Key Miami-area stations include Miami Airport, MiamiCentral (downtown), and Hialeah Metrorail Transfer. Weekday peak service has 30-minute headways; weekend and off-peak service runs every 60 minutes. A valid Tri-Rail ticket grants free Metrorail transfer.
Brightline (High-Speed Intercity Rail)
Brightline operates high-speed intercity passenger service at 125 mph with six stations: Miami Central (downtown), Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando International Airport. The journey from Miami to Fort Lauderdale takes 30–38 minutes; to West Palm Beach, over 1 hour; to Orlando, 3 hours 25 minutes. Service includes 16 daily round trips Miami–Orlando and up to 18 daily frequencies within South Florida. Two fare classes are available: SMART (business) and PREMIUM (first class, with lounge access and complimentary food/beverages on longer routes). Miami Central station provides connections to Tri-Rail, Metrorail, and Metromover.
Tickets & fares
Fare Types and Pricing
All Miami-Dade Transit services (Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus) use a unified EASY Card payment system. Approximate fares and passes are as follows:
- Single trip (Metrorail, Metrobus, express buses): $2.25
- Express or regional Metrobus route: $2.65
- Daily fare cap (with contactless payment): $5.65; after reaching this amount, all rides are free until midnight.
- Metromover: Free
- Tri-Rail: $1.25–$17.50 depending on distance; weekend and holiday all-day pass, $5 (unlimited).
- Brightline SMART class (South Florida routes): $11–$28; PREMIUM class Miami to Orlando, approximately $149 (includes lounge access, complimentary food and beverages, free Uber rides up to 5 miles at South Florida stations).
Payment Methods and Cards
The EASY Card is a rechargeable smartcard required for all Miami-Dade Transit rides. Alternatives include the EASY Ticket (single-use). Both are available at EASY Card vending machines located at Metrorail stations, Miami Intermodal Center, Miami International Airport, and Terminal E of MIA. Contactless payment via credit card or mobile phone is also accepted on Metrobus and at some stations, though check individual fare machines for availability.
Transfers and Tourist Information
Free transfers between Metrobus and Metrorail are available with the same payment card. Free transfers between Metrorail and Metromover occur at Government Center and Brickell stations. A valid Tri-Rail ticket grants a free Metrorail transfer. Trip planning, real-time tracking, schedules, and closest stops are available via the GO Miami-Dade Transit app (iOS and Android) or by texting the bus route ID to GOMDT (46638).
From the airport
From Miami International Airport (MIA)
MIA is located approximately 8 miles northwest of downtown Miami. Public transit options include:
- Metrorail (Orange Line) via MIA Mover: The most direct route. The free MIA Mover, a fully automated people mover, departs from the third level between the Dolphin and Flamingo parking garages every 30 minutes weekdays and every 15 minutes weekends. It connects to Miami Central Station and the Metrorail system. The total journey to Government Center (downtown) takes approximately 20 minutes and costs $2.25 per person. At Government Center, free transfers to Metromover are available to reach downtown hotels and attractions.
- Metrobus Route 150 (Miami Beach Airport Express): Departs the ground level between Terminals D and E (walk across taxi lanes to the public bus terminal). Fares are $2.25 per person, with service every 30 minutes from 6 AM to 11:40 PM. The journey to Miami Beach takes 45–60 minutes.
- Tri-Rail: A shuttle bus or shuttle train connects MIA to Tri-Rail's Miami Airport station, providing access to the regional rail network.
- EASY Card purchases: EASY Card vending machines are located at the Miami Intermodal Center/Miami International Airport Station.
Alternatively, taxis charge approximately $25–$35 to downtown Miami and $35–$45 to South Beach, plus a $2 airport surcharge, or you may rent a car from facilities in the MIC parking garage.
From Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
FLL is 25–40 minutes north of Miami proper and serves many fewer international routes than MIA. A free "FLL-Tri-Rail" shuttle bus connects the airport to the nearby Tri-Rail Fort Lauderdale Airport Station. From there, Tri-Rail trains connect to downtown Miami (the Miami Airport station, not downtown Miami), Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach. Alternatively, you may take Broward County Bus #1 to Aventura Mall and transfer to the S Miami-Dade bus to downtown Miami via South Beach (inadvisable with heavy luggage).
Etiquette & customs
Miami's public transit system follows standard etiquette practices. When boarding buses, Metrorail, or other services, form an orderly queue at entry points. On escalators, stand on the right side to allow others to pass on the left. Priority seating (often marked with different colors or signage) is reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and those with small children; offer your seat if you are able. Eating and drinking are generally not permitted on Metrorail or Metromover, though some beverages may be allowed on buses and intercity trains like Brightline. Respectful and quiet behaviour is expected, especially during peak commuting hours. Wheelchair users board and exit before other passengers on all accessible services.
Official links
- Miami-Dade Transit (English)
- GO Miami-Dade Transit (trip planning and journey planner)
- Miami International Airport – Public Transportation
Before boarding at peak times, allow extra time to purchase your EASY Card at a vending machine and familiarize yourself with the route map, as the system is extensive but interconnected well at major hubs like Government Center, Brickell, and Miami Central.