I posted something earlier but deleted that and am starting over. There are only two airports in the Miami area, MIA and FLL. But Fort Lauderdale is an hour north. Some people consider West Palm Beach to be in the Miami area, but I think it's more like 2 hours north of MIA.

You don't really say where you plan on going once you land in the "Miami area". That does matter since Florida is a big state. But if you are visiting Miami and/or the Keys, then only MIA or FLL make sense to me. If you are also visiting WDW, then it could make sense to fly into Orlando since flights there are numerous and usually cheaper than into Miami (and car rentals are often cheaper there as well). But you have to contend with being 3 hours away from Miami and might pay a fee to drop the car elsewhere.

Thanks. We have been to Florida twice before. This time we are going to rent a car and do a loop that will include both coasts and the panhandle (but not Key West). So, we can start and end our road trip just about any place in the state.

HTtY

The Fort Lauderdale (FLL)airport is 26 miles from the Fort MIami International (MIA) airport.

FLL abuts I-95; MIA is a little, just a little, more remote from I-95

FLL is a much smaller airport and IMO much easier to negotiate than MIA

Currently there is nonstop service between MIA and SEA on American; Alaska provides nonstop service between SEA and FLL

Sorry..the distance is between MIA and FLL not "Fort" Miami!!!

MIA is a p-i-t so if you can avoid it, do. The fact that you're doing a loop means you can start anyplace that has a semi-major airport including Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm or Miami. Determining what you want to see and when could help decide which airport is best.

Miami probably has the most direct flights and connections. It also has the most passenger traffic, most international traffic, longest security lines, and most ridiculous layout of the major Florida airports (it's a bit of an amoeba). And it's still a pit.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I like to do my own driving. I have reserved a rental car.

I agree with everyone else. If you can get a better and cheaper flight then definitely consider flying into another airport in Florida rather than Miami (though I personally hate the Fort Lauderdale airport even though it's smaller and easier to navigate). And consider the cost of your rental car in the mix as well. Rates do vary by destination and might be considerably cheaper at another airport.

But if you're not going to visit Miami, then I'd actually suggest avoiding it entirely if you can.

Thanks. It turns out the best flights at the best price from Seattle to Florida I could find take us to the Fort Lauderdale airport where car rental rates are steep.

HTtY

Today I saved over $300 on my car rental by reserving at the Thrifty Office located 3 miles from the airport: $481.34 vs. $798.42.

For this I get a Ford Fusion, or similar, for 15 days with no additional charge for returning the car to the airport.

HTtY

Good choice. I much prefer flying in to FLL over Miami. If you are coming in on a late flight, the Hampton Inn North is a good place to stay.