How to Get Around Miami Using Public Transportation

Want to travel around Greater Miami & Miami Beach like a pro? The destination’s public transportation keeps getting better and more convenient and includes every mode of public transport, from modern, high-speed or even automated trains to buses, bikes, trolleys and eco-friendly shuttles. Some modes of transport are even free. Using public transportation offers an affordable way to see Miami’s top attractions.

Download the GO Miami-Dade Transit app for schedules, real-time tracking and payment. You can also buy a Transit Pass to make travel easier (and cheaper), depending on your needs.

Getting Around Miami Using Metrorail

Depending on where you need to go, Metrorail can be your best travel partner. Extending 25 miles, Miami-Dade’s public rail system provides service to key points of interest, like Miami International Airport, vibrant neighborhoods, such as Coconut Grove, Brickell and Hialeah, and culture-rich attractions, like Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater in Historic Overtown. Metrorail operates from 5 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, and tickets start at $2.25. There’s also free Wi-Fi so you can stay connected or work on the journey.

Metromover: Your Free Ride in Downtown Miami and Brickell

A crown jewel of the area’s public transportation system, the Metromover is a free, electrically-powered people mover that travels along a 4.4-mile stretch on three loops in Downtown Miami, Brickell and north to the area around the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. The Metromover makes 21 convenient stops, making it a great way to safely and quickly arrive at top attractions, such as Bayside Marketplace, the Brickell City Centre shopping and dining hub, and the Kaseya Center for a Miami HEAT game or a concert. The Metromover runs seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight.

The Metrobus Takes You Almost Everywhere

Metrobus has more than 95 routes and stops at major shopping, entertainment and cultural centers. With rides starting at $2.25 and routes throughout Miami-Dade County, it’s a convenient way to get around. The Metrobus connects riders from as far north as Aventura and Miami Lakes to Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Homestead, Florida City and even the middle Florida Keys. It’s designed to intersect with Metrorail and the Metromover and take you places those services don’t. Rides start at $2.25 per trip, and it operates 365 days a year, with some routes operating round-the-clock.

Tri-Rail Gets You to Miami Quickly & Inexpensively

Tri-Rail, the no-frills commuter train, links Miami-Dade to Broward and Palm Beach counties and has 19 stations, including one at Miami International Airport (MIA). Getting to Downtown Miami from the airport is a breeze. From MIA, take the airport’s free shuttle bus to the Tri-Rail station, then ride to the Metrorail Transfer Station, where you can board the Metrorail to Government Center Station. You can travel from West Palm Beach to MIA for as little as $4.25 and from Fort Lauderdale for as little as $2.50.

Miami’s Trolley Systems

A fun, free way to get around Miami is by trolley. You can hop on the City of Miami Trolley, with numerous routes throughout Greater Miami; the Miami Beach Trolley, which loops through South Beach, Mid Beach and North Beach; the Coral Gables Trolley, with two routes on Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Grand Avenue in Coral Gables; as well as trolleys in Doral and Miami Gardens. Look for the marked stops, or flag down a trolley.

Freebee: Get There Free & Eco-Friendly

Love the word “free”? Freebee is an eco-friendly service that uses electric vehicles to pick up and drop off riders at their desired locations. The rides are free, but tips are suggested. You can download the Freebee app for iPhone or Android to request a ride or simply flag down an open vehicle. Freebee is great for quick trips and is offered in numerous locations throughout the destination.

Get There Fast With Brightline

Cut down on drive time and relax in style and comfort on Brightline, providing high-speed train service between Downtown Miami and Aventura (in just 22 minutes) and as far north as Orlando. Premium fares offer perks like lounge access with complimentary food and drinks. Onboard, there are charging ports and free Wi-Fi and the chance to purchase food and beverages. You can use the airport connector shuttle to get from MiamiCentral Station in Downtown Miami to MIA. To visit Downtown Miami from MIA, take Brightline to MiamiCentral Station and transfer to the Metromover to get around Downtown Miami with ease.

Explore Miami With Citi Bike

Citi Bike has more than 160 stations throughout the destination, and you can rent a bike 24 hours a day. Locals may want a membership pass with unlimited 30- or 60-minute rides, while visitors can rent bikes by the hour. Simply download the app to see available bikes and stations and make payments. Once you unlock your bike, you can zip off to your destination and even swap bikes at different docking locations.

Accessible Public Transit

Locals and visitors whose disabilities prevent them from using public transportation can apply for the Special Transportation Service (STS). It offers door-to-door, shared-ride service throughout most of Miami-Dade County and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cost per trip is $3.50. You must fill out an application ahead of time, and a licensed Florida physician must provide medical verification and sign it.

Uber and Lyft are other great ways to get around Miami.