Miami, FL
Miami travel guide
Art Deco beaches and the gateway to Latin America
- Airports
- MIA Miami International Airport · FLL Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- Region
- US Southeast
- Best time to visit
- December–April is dry and warm, with peak prices around Art Basel (early December) and spring break (March).
- Shortest flight
- 2h from Atlanta
- Round trips from
- $59 (live)
- Time zone
- America/New York
About Miami
Miami is really several cities. Miami Beach has the Art Deco district, Ocean Drive and the sand; the mainland has Little Havana's cafecito windows, Wynwood's murals, Brickell's rooftop bars and Coconut Grove's leafy waterfront. Everglades airboat tours and the Florida Keys are day-trip distance.
Getting in: from MIA, the MIA Mover connects to the Metrorail (Orange Line to Brickell and Downtown, $2.25) and to Tri-Rail for Fort Lauderdale. Rideshares to South Beach run $25–$40; taxis charge a flat $35 to Miami Beach. From Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Brightline trains reach Downtown Miami in about 35 minutes, or budget $45–$70 for a rideshare to Miami Beach.
Stay on Miami Beach for the classic trip, in Brickell or Downtown for a city base near the rail line, or in Coconut Grove for a quieter neighborhood feel. Cuban lunches (Cuban sandwich, croquetas, café con leche) cost $10–$15; South Beach dinners run $40–$80 per person, and many restaurants add an automatic 18–20% service charge — check the bill before tipping again.
Best time to visit
December–April is dry and warm, with peak prices around Art Basel (early December) and spring break (March). May and October–November are the sweet spot for value; June–September is hot, humid and hurricane season.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana, Coconut Grove.
Flights to Miami: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to MIA usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 3h 10m | $118 | $99 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 3h 10m | $128 | $119 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 2h 55m | $148 | $102 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 2h | $98 | $59 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Boston (BOS) | 3h 25m | $138 | $120 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 5h | $208 | $184 · Tue, Dec 8 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
What to do in Miami
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
South Beach and the Art Deco District
Pastel 1930s hotels along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue; the Miami Design Preservation League runs excellent walking tours.
- 2
Little Havana
Calle Ocho for cafecito, cigar rollers and dominoes at Máximo Gómez Park; Versailles restaurant is the institution.
- 3
Wynwood Walls
A former warehouse district covered in commissioned murals, with breweries, galleries and food halls.
- 4
Everglades National Park
45 minutes west; airboat tours at the edge or the Shark Valley tram and bike loop inside the park.
- 5
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
A 1916 Italianate villa on Biscayne Bay with formal gardens — the most photogenic spot in the city.
Miami weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
76° / 62°
Dry, sunny and perfect — peak season.
Spring
82° / 68°
Warm and busy during spring break (March).
Summer
90° / 78°
Hot, humid, daily afternoon storms.
Fall
84° / 72°
Still warm; hurricane season peaks in September.
Travel tips for Miami
- Compare Fort Lauderdale (FLL): Spirit, JetBlue and Southwest fares there are often $50–$100 lower, and Brightline gets you to Downtown Miami quickly.
- Many restaurants add an automatic 18–20% gratuity, especially on Miami Beach — read the check before adding a tip.
- Book Everglades and Keys tours for the morning; afternoon thunderstorms are routine in summer.
- Parking on Miami Beach is scarce and expensive ($4–$6 per hour); the free trolley and Citi Bike cover most of it.
- Hurricane season runs June–November; travel protection is worth considering for late-summer trips.
Miami flights: frequently asked questions
Should I fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
MIA is closer to Miami Beach, Downtown and Little Havana and has the most flights from Latin America. FLL is the low-cost carrier hub — fares are often lower — and Brightline trains connect it to Downtown Miami in about 35 minutes.
How do I get from Miami airport to South Beach?
Taxis charge a flat $35 to Miami Beach; rideshares cost $25–$40. Public transit takes about an hour: MIA Mover to Metrorail, then the S bus (route 150 Airport Flyer also runs directly to South Beach for $2.65).
When is hurricane season in Miami?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk in August–October. Fares are lowest then; consider travel protection and flexible fares if you travel in late summer.
More in US Southeast
FL · United States
Orlando
Theme-park capital of the world
LA · United States
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole cooking and the French Quarter
TN · United States
Nashville
Honky-tonks, hot chicken and the Ryman
GA · United States
Atlanta
The world's busiest airport and a city worth the stop