Getting Here

Getting Here

By Air: Miami is serviced by Miami International Airport (MIA) near downtown and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) 18 mi north. Many discount carriers, like Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and AirTran fly into FLL, making it a smart bargain if you are renting a car. Otherwise, look for flights to MIA on American Airlines, Delta, and Continental. MIA is undergoing extensive renovations that are expected to conclude in the summer of 2011; delays and long walks to gates are a common occurrence.

By Bus: Regularly scheduled, interstate Greyhound buses stop at four terminals in Greater Miami: Miami Downtown (1012 N.W. 1st Ave., 33132. 305/374-6160) , Miami North (16000 N.W. 7th Ave., 33169. 305/688-7277) , Miami West-Airport (4111 N.W. 27th St., 33142. 305/871-1810) , and Cutler Ridge (10801 Caribbean Blvd., 33189. 305/296-9072) .

By Car: I-95 is the major expressway connecting South Florida with points north; State Road 836 is the major east-west expressway and connects to Florida's Turnpike, State Road 826, and I-95. Seven causeways link Miami and Miami Beach, I-195 and I-395 offering the most convenient routes; the Rickenbacker Causeway extends to Key Biscayne from I-95 and U.S. 1. Remember U.S. 1 (a.k.a. Biscayne Boulevard) — you'll hear it often in directions. It starts in Key West, hugs South Florida's coastline, and heads north straight through to Maine.

By Train: Amtrak provides service from 500 destinations to the Greater Miami area. The trains make several stops along the way; north-south service stops in the major Florida cities of Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. For extended trips, or if you want to visit other areas in Florida, you can come via Auto Train (where you bring your car along) from Lorton, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., to Sanford, Florida, just outside of Orlando. From there it's less than a four-hour drive to Miami. Fares vary, but expect to pay between $269 and $346 for a basic sleeper seat and car passage each way. You must be traveling with an automobile to purchase a ticket on the Auto Train.