Getting Around

Getting Around

Greater Miami resembles Los Angeles in its urban sprawl and traffic. You'll need a car to visit many attractions and points of interest. When driving, if possible avoid driving during the rush hours of 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM—the hour just after and right before the peak times also can be slow going. During rainy weather, be especially cautious of flooding in South Beach and Key Biscayne.

Some sights are accessible via the public transportation system, run by the Metro-Dade Transit Agency (305/770-3131. www.miamidade.gov/transit), which maintains 650 Metrobuses on 70 routes; the 21-mi Metrorail elevated rapid-transit system; and the Metromover, an elevated light-rail system. The bus stops for the Metrobus are marked with blue-and-green signs with a bus logo and route information. The fare is $1.50 (exact change only). Transfers cost 50¢. Some express routes carry surcharges of $1.85. Elevated Metrorail trains run from downtown Miami north to Hialeah and south along U.S. 1 to Dadeland. The system operates daily 5 AM-midnight. The fare is $1.50; 50¢ transfers to Metromover or Metrobus must be purchased at the station where you originally board the system. Metromover resembles an airport shuttle and runs on two loops around downtown Miami, linking major hotels, office buildings, and shopping areas. The system spans 4 mi, including the 1-mi Omni Loop and the 1-mi Brickell Loop. There is no fee to ride; transfers to Metrorail are $1.50.

Tri-Rail (800/874-7245 or www.tri-rail.com) , South Florida's commuter-train system, offers shuttle service to and from MIA from 3797 N.W. 21st St. Tri-Rail stops at 18 stations along a 71-mi route. Prices range from $3.50 to $9.25 for a round-trip ticket.