How to get from Miami Airport to the Cruise Port

The Port of Miami is the main hub for cruising the islands and ports surrounding in the Caribbean Sea. In fact, “millions of passengers travel through PortMiami every year and with 22 cruise lines berthing 55 ships.” (source)

Now you can expect that the Port of Miami has the world’s busiest cruise ship terminals. Caribbean cruise is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. If you are not local in Florida, chances are that you will fly in for cruising from Miami. You need to get from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami before you set sail from South of Florida.

In this article, you will find easy and safe ways to arrive at Miami Cruise Port directly from Miami Airport. Plan ahead and organise your transfer to the cruise port. So that you can make your Caribbean cruise something special right from the start at Miami.

Master the easy and safe ways from Miami Airport to the Cruise Port!

I. Port of Miami

Port of Miami is a major seaport in the U.S. The Port is located in the east of downtown Miami. It is based in the Dodge Island at Biscayne Bay, in Florida.

The Port of Miami is huge in size. The cruise port is currently the largest in the world. Prepare and organise your transfer in advance. You can then avoid feeling lost on the way and arrive at the right cruise terminal.

• Over 5.5 million cruise passengers get through the Port of Miami each year. (source)

• The world’s largest ship the Symphony of the Seas is also homeported at the Port of Miami. Not only Royal Caribbean but also Carnival, Norwegian, Disney and MSC, their popular vessels are all lined up in Miami Cruise Port.

Can you imagine how big the cruise port is? Find out a video (45 seconds) and feel the mood and atmosphere of the Port of Miami. Also, check out the weather with a Port of Miami webcam.

Where is the Port of Miami Cruise Terminal?

The Port of Miami has both the passenger ports and the cargo ports. Make sure that you do not arrive at a cargo port but one of the cruise terminals of Miami Cruise Port on Dodge Island.

Cruise Terminal (CT) A, C, D, E, F, G, and J are currently operating. CT B is now under the construction, and CT H is not in use (source).

The Port of Miami Map

The address of Miami Cruise Port: 1015 N. America Way, Miami, Florida 33132.

Most cruise lines are berthing at the same terminals although that may change.

Cruise Terminal A (The Crown of Miami)
The largest cruise terminal in the U.S. built by Royal Caribbean in 2018. This new terminal is a homeport of Royal Caribbean’s largest vessels Oasis-class. CT A is a sort of Royal Caribbean Miami Port.  

Cruise Terminal C
CT B serves for up to 5,000 cruise passenger contained cruise ships. The terminal serves for Norwegian and Disney Cruises.

Cruise Terminal D
CT D serves mainly for MSC,  Fred Olsen, Hapag Lloyd

Cruise Terminal E
CT E serves mainly for Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and P & O Cruises

Cruise Terminal F
CT E serves mainly for Disney Cruises and Royal Caribbean

Cruise Terminal G
CT G serves vessels of Celebrity and Royal Caribbean

Cruise Terminal J
CT J is PortMiami’s boutique cruise terminal. It serves smaller vessels and luxury cruise lines including Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Azamara and Silversea.

Which airport is closest to Miami Cruise Port?

Miami International Airport (Miami Airport Code: MIA) is the closest to Miami Cruise Port. The international airlines and US major airlines arrive in Miami. United, US Airways, Delta and American Airlines also fly to Miami.

Another major airport close to Miami Cruise Port is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Fort Lauderdale Airport Code: FLL). The airport has both international and domestic flights from/to Fort Lauderdale. Find out further details on transfers from Port Lauderdale Airport to Miami.

The Port of Miami and Miami Airport Map

Miami Airport Address: 2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126

How far is it from Miami airport to the Port of Miami?

Miami Airport (MIA) is located 9 miles east of the Port of Miami. MIA is also located 8 miles northwest of Downtown Miami and about 13 miles west of South Beach. It takes about 20 minutes to the Port of Miami by taxi. Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) is 29 miles away to the Port of Miami.

II. Getting from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami

Transferring from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami is rather tricky. The distance is short, but you will experience much inconvenience if you do not plan ahead. Figure out how Miami transportation from the airport works and pick up the best for you.

Which transportation options are available from Miami Airport to Miami Cruise Port?

• Uber and Lyft are cheaper than a taxi. The cheapest way is by public transportation, but you have to make inconvenient transits. The best way to get Dodge Island from the airport is by a motor vehicle. You can still try some options for public transportation from Miami Airport.

• Cruise lines shuttle service is comfortable and safe, but time is not flexible. Their service is also expensive. The easiest and the most comfortable way to transfer is a taxi. Although it is costly, time is flexible. You can hail a taxi anytime you want.

• If you cruise as a group or with your family members, the Airport shuttle is the best to save money. You need to book the service in advance. You can get a rental car and enjoy Miami before you set sail.

Transportation Options from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami
1. Cruise Lines Shuttle Service
2. Public Transportation
3. Taxi
4. Uber and Lyft
5. Airport Shuttle
6. Rental Car

Transportation from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami

1. Cruise Line Shuttle Service Miami Cruise Port

Do you know that the cruise lines offer you a shuttle service to Miami Cruise Port directly from an airport?

They will pick you up at the arrival’s exit and will bring you to the cruise port. You do not need to carry your heavy suitcase all the way to the cruise port. You will safely arrive at the cruise terminal where you set sail. This way you do not need to arrange the airport transfer by yourself, no confusion and no hassle. Everything gets super easy.

The problems could be:

• The cruise lines’ grand shuttle is available only for a day your cruise ship actually departs. If you arrive a day before in a case you do not miss your cruise, cruise lines’ shuttle is not for you.

• You may have to wait for other cruisers to join you the shuttle at the airport. Or if you arrived at the airport much earlier, what would you do? That happened to me quite some time. 

• The biggest problem is that the cruise lines’ grand shuttle is high priced. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines currently offers $16.99. This is not as a group or in return rate but per person and each way. If you travel as 4 of the family members, the shuttle costs $135.92 in totally. It is quite expensive.

2. Public Transportation in Miami

Public transportation is the cheapest. For example, Miami Metrorail’s Orange Line only costs $2.25 from Miami Aiport. Cruise line’s shuttle service costs $16.99 for one person and one way. So that you can save much money on the airport transfer with the public train.

The problem is that the public train will stop before entering into the Port of Miami.

You need to transfer from the station Government Centre Station of Orange Line. Then catch Trolly (Coral Way), the pink line on the map. The bus stops at all Port Miami cruise terminals. Make sure you catch the Trolly in a direction and not the opposite. There are some notes:

• Trolly (Coral Way) is only available during weekday, morning and afternoon rush hours. (source)

• Trolly is free but I would hesitate to get in with a big suitcase at a rush hour.

In case, if you cannot catch the trolly, then you can either take a taxi to the cruise terminal. It takes about a half-hour if you walk to the cruise terminal.

3. Taxi from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami

If you can group as not more than 2 adults, a taxi can be the best option. All the luggage may not fit into the trank for 3 or 4 adults. Of course, you can add children. That’s not a problem.

With a taxi, you are totally free and do not need to wait for the cruise line to pick you up at a busy airport. Taking a taxi is the most convenient and comfortable way to transfer. Pick up only an official taxi at Miami Airport.

How much is a taxi from Miami airport to the cruise port?

Miami airport to cruise port taxi fare is fixed. It is a flat fee of $27. Plus 15-20% tipping. The rate is not for each passenger.

For your reference, Metered Fares are:

• $4.50 for the first 1/6 mile. $.40 is added each 1/6 mile.

• $6.90 for the first mile and $2.40 for each additional mile.)

• Waiting time is $.40 per minute. (source)

Where can you hail a taxi at the airport?

Taxicabs are located on the arrival’s ground level of the airport. It is outside of the baggage claim areas. 

4. Is Uber cheaper than a taxi in Miami?

From Miami Airport to the cruise port, Uber and Lyft are actually cheaper than a taxi. If you have an Uber or Lyft account, you can arrange a ride in advance.

After you completed your cruise and disembarked the cruise ship, there is always a massive queue for a taxi at the cruise port. Everyone thinks of the same things and in the same ways. Using Uber or Lyft is actually smarter. Uber and Lyft will make your transfer much easier.

How much is an Uber from Miami Airport to Port of Miami?

• UberX: about $18.50
• UberXL: about $39.50 (From Uber Price Estimator)

Miami airport to cruise port taxi flat fee is $27. You can see Uber is cheaper than a taxi.

Do you tip to a Uber driver?

Tipping is optional. You are free to add a tip. The drivers are also free to accept tips.

Giving cash directly to your driver is one way. You can also tip through the app. At the end of your trip, you’ll be prompted to rate your driver. Once you provide a rating, you’ll be given the option to add a tip.

5. Shuttle from Miami Airport to the Port of Miami

Shuttle service to Miami Cruise Port is available at the Miami Airport. This shuttle service will take you from Miami Airport to your desired place at any time for 24 hours a day.

Super Shuttle

SuperShuttles is a shared-ride private service. Find big blue bans on the arrival’s ground level of the airport. It is located outside of the baggage claim areas.

You can make booking an airport shuttle in advance at SuperShuttle website.

The following vehicles are available:

• Shared-Ride Van
• Non-Stop Van
• Private Sedan
• Private SUV

SuperShuttle Fares
The fare is about $17 per person and on way but the second person can have a discount rate. (source)

The payment should be made by each person and for one way but the second person can have a discount rate.

Important: It is strongly suggested to ignore solicitors, offering you transportation inside the terminal. Solicitation of ground transportation is an illegal activity in Miami. SuperShuttle is one of the official shuttle companies at Miami Airport.

So which cruise line shuttle, taxi, Uber or the airport shuttle service is cheaper?

If you travel as a group or family members, a shared ride is cheaper than a cruise line’s shuttle service or a taxi. Uber and Lyft would be cheaper than the airport shuttle service.

You can also compare the rates with other shuttle service companies:

• GoAirportShuttle
• SuperShuttle
• Port of Miami Shuttle
• Florida Shuttle Transportation,

5. Miami Airport Rental Car Service

You are adventurous and need to feel independent. Then why don’t you try a rental car service from the airport?

Enjoy driving at Miami Beach, Midtown or Downtown Miami before you set sail from the Port of Miami. You can find the best from the plenty of things to do in Miami.

You can visit the MIA Rental Car Center by the MIA Mover. Use the 3rd level Skyride (moving walks) to the MIA Mover station. The airport rental car centre is located on the 3rd level between the Dolphin and Flamingo garages.

The address of MIA Rental Car Center: 3900 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33142.

Conclusion

The very first thing is to arrive at Miami Cruise Port safely from Miami Airport. Miami Cruise Port is currently the largest cruise port in the world. Plan ahead and avoid feeling lost on your way to the cruise port.

Know what your priority is first and how many people are travelling together? Then find out the best comfortable way for you in the airport transfers.

If your priority is to save money, Uber/Lyft or the Airport shuttle can be the best. If you are not certain about the airport transfer by yourself, book a cruise line’s grand shuttle service in advance. It is costly and the time is not flexible, and yet the service is super convenient. Taxi is easy and super comfortable but get the official one from Miami Airport to the cruise port for your safety.

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