Airport
Miami International Airport
IATA Code: MIALocation: The airport is located nine miles (15km) west of central Miami.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Contacts: Tel: +1 305 876 7000.
Transfer to the city: The airport is well connected to the greater Miami area by numerous services offered by the Miami-Dade Transit Department. These include the scheduled, local Metrobus (the bus station is on Level 1 of Concourse E); a mass-transit Metrorail system; a fixed rail system designated specifically for downtown Miami and Brickell; and the TriRail commuter train, reaching Broward and Palm Beach Counties from the Airport Station to the east of the airport on NW 21st Street. Taxis and shuttles are available from the arrivals level, outside the baggage claim areas. Car rental agents operate outside the terminal building and can be reached on a shuttle service.
Taxis: Taxis and shuttles are available from the arrivals level, outside the baggage claim areas. There are wheelchair-accessible taxis and shuttles available upon request. Fares to the city centre are about US$22 in a taxi and US$8 in a shuttle (estimate is per person, fares vary with additional passengers).
Car rental: Car rental agents operate outside the terminal building and can be reached on a shuttle service. Companies represented include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Facilities: There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes and fast food chains available 24 hours. Dozens of shops, including duty-free, are available. The airport also has ATMs, bureaux de change, barber shop/hair salon, chapel, a health club, an art gallery and a rooftop swimming pool. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Parking: Miami International Airport's long-term parking facilities consist of two multi-level parking garages. Short-term parking is available in the same area near the terminal.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.miami-airport.com
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International
IATA Code: FLLLocation: The airport is located 25 miles (40km) north of Miami and five miles (8km) from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Contacts: Tel: +1 954 359 1200, +1 866 435 9355
Transfer to the city: Shared shuttle vans with GO Airport Shuttle & Executive Car Service can be booked at the transportation desks located in each terminal. They offer a door-to-door service from the airport to most local destinations. Broward County Transit (BCT) bus services and TriRail feeder buses operate from bus stops outside the terminal buildings. The TriRail train service connects the airport with Miami International (MIA). Taxis are available 24 hours a day from the lower level outside each terminal. All major rental car companies are located at the Car Rental Centre.
Taxis: Yellow Cab taxis are available 24 hours a day from the lower level outside each terminal. Rate comparison charts are posted at the Transportation Podium located outside the baggage area. Drivers may accept up to five people for the fare stated on the taxi's meter. It costs about US$70 to the city centre.
Car rental: All major rental car companies such as Avis, Budget, Dollar, National and Hertz are located at the Car Rental Centre. Passengers arriving at Terminal 1 should follow the signs to the Concourse B Pedestrian Bridge. All other terminals have a shuttle bus service located on the baggage claim level that ferries passengers to the Car Rental Centre.
Facilities: There are ATMs, shops, bars and restaurants throughout the airport. Each terminal has a business centre with fax and photocopy facilities. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: There is ample short and long-term parking available adjacent to the terminal.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.broward.org/airport
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Miami
Miami may be the retirement capital of the United States, but there is nothing old fashioned about this bright, brash playground city that shines under the sunny Florida skies. This coastal city was a sleepy holiday town until the 1920s, when the 'in crowd' decided to make it their own. The town bloomed into a fun seaside capital and was blessed with a legacy of Art Deco architecture, particularly along South Beach, which has been carefully preserved. During World War II the forces came to town when Miami was an important military base. Today, apart from being a favourite holiday Mecca and sunny spot for retirees, it is also the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.
Miami's large Cuban community add to the atmosphere in the sultry neighbourhood of Little Havana. Trendsetters hang out in Coconut Grove, while sunlovers strew the miles of white sandy beaches. For families there are entertaining attractions like the Seaquarium and Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and varied. The city also gives easy access to Florida's popular Gold Coast resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the Florida Everglades.
No wonder Miami is America's favourite holiday destination and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship industry, its port jammed constantly with sleek passenger liners. North of the city, miles of beautiful sandy beaches of the Gold Coast are hemmed in by southeast Florida's major tourist resorts: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach.
