As a popular beach getaway and iconic Spring Break hub, Miami welcomes a lot of visitors. And we mean a lot — try 27 million a year, for a city with a population of under half a million.

Fortunately, our team lead Allan is part of that half a million! I sat him down for the insider scoop on how to avoid crowds and gnarly weather, how to easily get around town, and more.

So read on to get the most out of your Miami trip!

A quick note on the links in this guide: we’re not affiliated with any external sites we’ve chosen to include, so we’re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We’ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you make a decision on whether this destination is for you.

Getting There

Getting to Miami couldn’t be easier. There are two major airports in the area:

• Miami International (MIA), about 15 minutes by car from downtown Miami.
• Ft. Lauderdale International (FLL), which is about a 45 minute drive north of downtown Miami.

If you spot a deal elsewhere in Florida, you can arrive in Miami via the new high-speed Brightline trains.

Here's about what we expect to see for flights into Miami:

From Europe:

• Expected average price range: €300-€450 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 5-10
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: €213 RT

From the UK:

• Expected average price range: £250- £350 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 5-10
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: £239 RT

From the USA:

• Expected average price range:$100-$200 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 10+
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $85 RT

From Canada:

• Expected average price range: $150-$350 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 2-5
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $142 RT

Visas

Whether you need a visa to enter the United States depends on your country of citizenship. Visitors from Canada, most European countries, and some Asian countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, though you will need an ESTA. Visit the US State Department website for more information. 

The state of Florida and the city of Miami have no local requirements for entry.

Cash and Currency

As you’d expect, USD is the only accepted currency in Miami. Most places accept both cash and cards. 

If you plan to use public transit, bring some back-up cash. Officially, the buses accept contactless cards and digital wallets, but they don’t always work correctly. More about transit under “Getting Around Town.”

Getting Around Town

Miami is car-centric. Fortunately, rideshare apps are pretty cheap and convenient, and should have all your transportation needs covered. If you have time to wait around a while, you can also try Freebee: Miami’s free rideshare service. It works like Uber, but can be hit and miss with wait times.

A rental car will be necessary if you want to visit the Everglades without a tour, but if you plan to stay in the city, you’ll be fine without one. More about that in the next section.

Allan also recommends making use of the Citi Bikes. These are app-based bike rentals found all over the city, and they’re especially convenient for getting up and down Miami Beach.

As for public transit, there are buses, the Metrorail, and the Metromover. Buses and rails are $2.25 per ride, and the Metromover is free.

• Buses cover the entire county, but can be unreliable and inconvenient. This map shows how often each route runs, but don’t expect them to follow the schedule. 
• The Metromover connects a few major areas like Brickell, Downtown, and the MacArthur Causeway (the vehicle bridge to Miami Beach). Here’s a map of the Metromover.
• The Metrorail is your best bet for airport transit because it goes straight into the city from the airport. It’s also good for getting into Coconut Grove, South Miami, and Coral Gables. Here’s a map of the Metrorail.

If you know you’ll be using public transit a lot, you can purchase various transit passes here.

Getting to the Everglades

Everglades National Park is the biggest Miami attraction that sits outside the main metro area. This massive wetland ecosystem is an incredible place to spot Florida wildlife like manatees, spoonbills, and alligators. If you’ve never seen a good old-fashioned swampland before, this is your chance!

Like a lot of National Parks, the Everglades are sprawling, wild, and inaccessible except by car. Drivers can enter through one of three entrances and chart their own course through the park. Here’s some information to help you start planning.

Alternatively, you could book a tour with pickup in Miami. You’ll likely want to take a boat tour through the wetlands anyway, so you can simply shell out a bit more for one that will drive you to and from the park. Here’s some tours recommended by the National Park Service.

Best Beaches in Miami

That South Florida coastline is easily the biggest reason people visit Miami, so here’s a quick briefing on your options. Note that where there are popular beaches, there’s typically also popping nightlife.

• South Beach: Famous and full of art deco, but extremely crowded.
• Mid-Beach and North Beach: Also on the same island as South Beach, but with significantly fewer people. 
• Key Biscayne: Allan’s most recommended beach, about 25–40 minutes away from Miami Beach by car.
• Surfside and Bal Harbor: Upscale areas north of North Beach. Known for its Jewish culture and small town feel.
• Matheson Hammock Park: This park has a manmade atoll with shallow, calm water. It’s ideal for young children.

When to Visit

Timing can make or break your trip to Miami, so here’s the rundown!

Pro-Tip: The ocean on Miami’s beaches stays warm year-round. Your toes won’t freeze even in winter, but don’t expect to cool off from the heat by taking a dip.

December-February

Winter is best in Miami, weather-wise! The Florida heat cools to around mid-70s F (or mid-20s C), and the rain is minimal. Unfortunately, a lot of folks know this is the best time, so hotel pricing tends to be surged.

March-May 

Lower pricing than peak winter. Temps will be a little toastier (around 80s F, or high 20s/low 30s C), but most of the winter crowds will have died down, with the exception of spring breakers. This is the perfect time to visit, as long as you avoid those weeks — usually around Easter. And outside of Miami Beach, you’re not likely to run into the crowds of drunk students, anyway.

Pro-Tip: If you’re coming for spring break, don’t set your sights on South Beach. It’s overcrowded and can get dangerous. Allan suggests heading up to the beach along 30th Street or higher instead. The popular nightclubs are inland, anyway.

June-August

Absolutely not! Summer in Miami is unbearably hot, humid, rainy, and under hurricane threat. There’s a good chance you won’t even be able to go to the beach. Unless you feel like walking into a sauna to save a few bucks on hotel fees, these are black-out dates. 

September-November

Temps start to cool off, but hurricanes remain a threat and rain stays frequent. It’s not ideal, but if you really want those off-season budget rates, late October and November are far better than summer or early fall.

Travel Style

If this is your first trip to the US, you’ve chosen the right city! And if it’s your fifteenth time, or if you’re an American, you’ve got a pretty laid-back trip ahead of you. Miami makes itself easy to visit. Hotels are abundant, easy to book, and often right on the beach. Everything is set up with tourists in mind.

If you do want a more active vacation, Miami can still deliver — hit the bike trails, or head over to the Everglades.