According to the Port of Miami, 4.1 million passengers travel through the cruise port annually. When visiting the cruise port of Miami, passengers wanting to save money can organize their own transportation and transfers, independent of the cruise lines. Here are some independent transport options for transferring between the city of Miami, the airport, the cruise terminal and nearby Miami Beach, Florida.
Facts about Miami Cruise Terminal
Size of Cruise Terminal – The Miami Cruise Terminal has the capability of handling seven cruise ships per day. The newest terminals, Terminal D and E have the capability to accommodate new mega vessels carrying up to 5,000 passengers.
Getting from Miami International Airport – Passengers on Caribbean cruises that originate or end in Miami, Florida can use the Miami International Airport (MIA). The airport is approximately seven miles or 15 minutes from the Port of Miami.
Getting from Downtown Miami – The Port of Miami is about five minutes from downtown.
Cruise Transportation and Transfers from Miami Airport
Taxi from Miami Airport – Taxis are available on the arrivals level of the Miami airport. According to MiamiBeach411, expect to pay $24 to get from the Miami International Airport to the Port of Miami. For those staying in hotels on Miami Beach, the cost from the airport will be between $32 and $37. The website also suggests that the cost of a taxi from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale Airport is $72 or to Port Everglades Cruise Terminal, around $77.
Airport Shuttle from Miami Airport – There are shared airport shuttles available from Miami International Airport to the Port of Miami for the cost of $14 per person. To get to Miami Beach, the cost is $19 per person and the cost to Fort Lauderdale is about $30 per person.
Rental Cars from Miami Airport – Car rental agencies operate at the port but provide a shuttle service to their location offsite of the port. Shuttle pickups are located just outside of baggage claim on the arrivals level.
Parking at Port of Miami – For those that have their own car and intend to do a park and cruise option, the Port of Miami offers parking at all cruise terminals for $20 per day.
Cruise Line Transfers and Excursions – Most cruise lines offer a transfer that includes some type of sightseeing, too. For example, Royal Caribbean offers a Miami Highlights Tour that takes four hours and costs US$54 per adult. The motor coach tour includes a drive past the Biltmore Hotel, the Venetian Pool, Little Havana and South Beach. The tour concludes at the Miami International Airport.
The Port of Miami, Florida offers a choice of cruises ranging in length from three days and up. Cruise lines using the Port of Miami as an embarkation port are Azamara Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruise Lines, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International and Oceania Cruises.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
