ARRIVAL AT MIAMI
Driving in Florida | Rental Car at MIA | Local Transportation |
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Arrival at Miami!
Welcome to Miami. Your arrival in Miami will most probably be at Miami International Airport. Our airport is one of the busiest in the nation. It’s 3rd. in volume for international passengers, and 15th. overall. A staff of over 38,000 assisted 35.5 million passengers using 93 airline companies in 2006.
Information Centre
On arrival I suggest you visit The Miami-Dade Aviation Department Tourist Information Center located on Concourse E, Level 2, near the airport’s hotel. The counter is open from 5 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily, 365 days a year. There are three additional information counters throughout the terminal staffed by volunteers. They are usually open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, according to staff availability. Their locations are Concourse G, level 1; Concourse D, level 1; and Concourse E bus station, level 1, by the short-term parking area. In the near future they are planning to open two more counters in the new South Terminal area, at Concourse J, level 2 and Concourse J, level 3, across from the US Customs’ exit. In addition, MIA offers assistance and paging service 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, through approximately 100 white courtesy phones within the terminal. For additional information, please call 305-876-7000
Arriving by domestic carrier:
If arrival at Miami is from Canada or The Bahamas, you will pass customs and immigration at your departure city, so you will land in Miami as a domestic arrival.
Upon disembarking the aircraft, follow the signs for Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation. You will first reach Level 2. If someone is picking you up, level 2 is the best place for this. It tends to be quieter than Level 1, which is quite compact and being roofed, suffers from exhaust fumes and lack of air circulation.
If you have checked baggage you must descend to Level 1. The signage here leaves much to be desired, so double check with staff which carrousel your luggage will be likely to appear on. There are sometimes considerable delays for luggage to arrive, so don’t despair. Airline baggage offices are on this level too.
 Follow the signs |
 Domestic Baggage Claim |
Arriving by International carrier:
Except for passengers arriving from Canada or the Bahamas, International arriving passengers proceed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s passport control. This could take some time depending if your flight arrives with many other international flights at the same time. After clearing passport control, you proceed to collect your luggage and clear U.S. Customs. Access the U.S. Customs website to check on prohibited articles, such a fresh fruit. Their sniffer dogs can locate a ripe apple from one end of the hall to the other! The Interline Lobby is directly outside U.S. Customs, where you may re-check luggage if having a connecting flight.
International Arrivals at Customs "J"
After exiting U.S. Customs, you will be on Level 3 of the terminal. To find ground transportation, including rental car counters, take the elevator or escalators to Level 1. To find other airlines take the elevator to Level 2
International Arrivals at Customs "E"
After exiting U.S. Customs, you will be on Level 1 of the Terminal. Here you will find ground transportation and rental car counters. To connect to other Airlines, take the elevator to Level 2.
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Moving Walkways |
Moving Walkways
Even locals are often unaware that there are moving walkways located on the Level 3 and connect all the concourses of the main terminal and parking garages. These walkways are little used and span the length of the terminal building, allowing you to quickly transit from concourse to concourse.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchair service is offered through your air carrier upon request. To ensure availability and timely service, it is strongly recommended that this service be reserved in advance. However, wheelchair assistance may also be requested at airline ticket counters.
ATMs (Cash Dispensers)/ Bank / Exchange
Passengers have access to a full service bank on Concourse D, Level 4 and Concourse J, level 2. Automated teller machines (cash dispensers) are located throughout the airport on levels 1 and 2. MIA has foreign currency exchange booths at six locations on Level 2, in the Concourse E Greeter’s Lobby on Level 1, and in the Concourse J Greeter’s Lobby on Level 3. The booth in Concourse E, level 2, operates from 5:30 A.M. to 11 P.M.
Airport Hotel
MIA was one of the first airports to have a hotel actually on site. It is located at Concourse E, and is considered a deluxe property. Rooms are of course sound-proofed. Prices are reasonable at around US$ 185.00 a night, plus 13% tax, There seem to be some renovations going on at present. Check before you confirm a booking.
Other services and amenities
Access MIA services to see all the services Miami International Airport has to offer.
Ground Transportation:
Level 1 is where you will find ground transportation. This area is very compact and being roofed, suffers from exhaust fumes and lack of air circulation.
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Taxi Rank Level 1 | Super Shuttle |
Shuttles
There will also be a representative from Super Shuttle, a “door to door” shared shuttle service. These vans operate pretty much while there are flights and generally depart within 15 to 20 minutes. For single passengers this offers considerable saving over taxis, though may take somewhat longer to get to your destination. See sample fares here.
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MIA Municipal Bus Stop |
Public bus
Across the street on Level 1 opposite Concourse E is the municipal bus stop. Here are public buses to Miami Downtown, Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Hialeah. The fare is US$ 2.00 each trip and the driver will only accept exact change. There is no specific area for luggage on the buses. Printed Metrobus route maps and schedules can be picked up at the airport's information center in Concourse E. Regrettably the Miami Metro Rail system does not yet reach the airport. There is now an airport express service every half hour to Miami Beach. Price is US$ 2.35 (exact change required) and it has space for luggage. If you plan on travelling a lot by local public transportation you may find it easier and more economic to purchase a US$ 5.00 one-day or a US$ 26.00 seven-day transit pass (called EASY Ticket). There is an automatic EASY Ticket dispenser at the airport municipal bus stop which accepts major credit cards and cash, as well as a Tri-Rail ticket dispenser and change dispenser.
Tri-Rail
Tri-Rail, so named because it travels beside the I-95 expressway through three counties, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. This commuter train will take you to Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. There are shuttle services from the stations to the respective airports. In Miami the shuttle for the airport station leaves from the municipal bus stop on Level 1. There is an area for luggage on the shuttle and on the train.
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Hotel Phone Board |
Local hotel shuttles
All hotels within the general airport area provide free shuttle service. When booking the hotel you should verify this. The shuttles for the larger hotels usually pass regularly in Level 2. Nevertheless it does no harm to phone the hotel from the free phones located on Level 1. You will find most hotels represented on large illuminated boards with push-buttons to connect you directly with the reception desk of the respective properties.
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