Can you get to the airport in Miami or Fort Lauderdale without a car? How that works

Jeff Kleinman
·2 min read
2

Despite all the trying, Miami isn’t known for its mass transit.

We do love our cars in South Florida. And in many cases, we have to — because trains don’t cover everywhere we need to go.

A decade ago, for instance the only way to get to the Miami airport was by car or taxi.

Times have changed.

Metrorail and Tri-Rail now have airport stations, and Brightline has a downtown Miami station with a shuttle to the airport.

In Broward, Tri-Rail has a stop near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with a shuttle bus to the terminals.

READ MORE: Your train just pulled into a South Florida station. Can you get a free ride from there?

Here’s what to know about reaching the airport on the rails:

Metrorail

Metrorail connects with Miami International Airport.
Metrorail connects with Miami International Airport.

Route: Metrorail’s Orange Line stops at Miami International AIrport’s transit hub. Fare is $2.25.

Stations: To get to the MIA Metrorail station from north of Earlington Heights Station, board a southbound Green Line train, exit the train at Earlington Heights and board a northbound Orange Line train to the MIA Metrorail station. The Orange Line runs from Dadeland South to the Miami airport, with stops along the way.

Tri-Rail

Tri-Rail has airport stops in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Tri-Rail has airport stops in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Stations: Tri-Rail has stations that serve the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports.

▪ Miami: If you take Tri-Trail to the Miami airport station, the MIA Mover, an elevated people mover, will take you to the terminals. Several transit options converge at the Miami Airport Tri-Rail station, including Miami-Dade Transit buses and the Metrorail Orange Line.

▪ Fort Lauderdale:

Broward airport shuttle: Free, seven-day-a-week shuttle bus service operated by Tri-Rail takes passengers from the Fort Lauderdale Airport station to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Brightline

Brightline doesn’t offer a stop at the Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport, but offers shuttle connections.
Brightline doesn’t offer a stop at the Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport, but offers shuttle connections.

Stations: Brightline doesn’t have stations at either the Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport, but does offer shuttle service. The train runs from downtown Miami with stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, with a station planned at the Orlando airport later this year. Prices vary depending on when you plan to travel and if it’s a one-way or round trip.

Shuttles: Brightline+ shuttles that need to be booked and first-come, first-served airport connectors take passengers to Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.

Amtrak

Amtrak’s Hialeah station is the closest the federal railway comes to Miami International Airport, but it has a station waiting at MIA’s transit hub, the Miami Intermodal Center. In February 2022, Amtrak tested a train at the station for the potential launch of service at MIA.
Amtrak’s Hialeah station is the closest the federal railway comes to Miami International Airport, but it has a station waiting at MIA’s transit hub, the Miami Intermodal Center. In February 2022, Amtrak tested a train at the station for the potential launch of service at MIA.

Service: Plans have called for an Amtrak stop at the Miami airport, but that hasn’t happened yet because of lease complications.

Stations:

▪ Hialeah/Miami: The station, 8303 NW 37th Ave., is about five blocks from a combined Metrorail and Tri-Rail station, which offers service to Miami International Airport.

▪ Fort Lauderdale: The Tri-Rail station is at 200 SW 21st Ter., south of Broward Boulevard, and is shared with Amtrak trains. There are lots of transit options here to get to or leave the station, including stops for Broward County bus routes and LauderGo! Fort Lauderdale city shuttle routes.