Day trip to Miami from Fort Lauderdale

[motherofthree]

We are driving to Miami for a day trip from Fort Lauderdale next week. We would like to see South Beach, Ocean Drive, Bayside Marketplace and the Miami downtown skyline if possible. Where is it best to park the car in order to see these places? I have heard parking near South Beach can be difficult to find. I have read there is a free "Metromover" in central Miami. Would you recommend going on this in order to see the central parts of the city? What else would you recommend we see in Miami on our day trip? Many thanks.

[Worgie]

The free metromover won't allow you to see that much and only covers the city area. We did an open top bus tour which had 3 routes, city tour, beach tour & museum tour with a guide to show you the sights. Each loop took about an hour & a half so do-able in a day easily. Alternatively you can park around South Beach although it can be tricky to find a spot and wander round Ocean drive then get an uber to Biscayne Bay and wander round there. An uber costs around $8, $3 if you car pool. I would recommend the boat tours around the millionaires houses - a lovely way to pass an hour dreaming of winning the lottery!

[motherofthree]

Originally Posted by Worgie

The free metromover won't allow you to see that much and only covers the city area. We did an open top bus tour which had 3 routes, city tour, beach tour & museum tour with a guide to show you the sights. Each loop took about an hour & a half so do-able in a day easily. Alternatively you can park around South Beach although it can be tricky to find a spot and wander round Ocean drive then get an uber to Biscayne Bay and wander round there. An uber costs around $8, $3 if you car pool. I would recommend the boat tours around the millionaires houses - a lovely way to pass an hour dreaming of winning the lottery!

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Thanks for your reply. We would love to park near South Beach, but I'm worried we won't be able to find anywhere in this location. Our best bet might be to park elsewhere in Miami Beach and take an Uber to South Beach.

[bonnies mum]

You can get the light railway (Tri-rail)betwen FL & Miami. Never used it but think it links Miami Airport to Las Olas but Google it for stations. Think you can get people mover from airport (others may be able to confirm) to Bayside and from there do the tour bus or boat trip.

[rosered]

There is parking at Bayside Marketplace , not sure about the costs though. All the hop on hop off buses start there routes from there so you can easily do all three routes and you would have time to get off at South Beach and have a walk around.

You can get also boat trips from Bayside , you can buy a ticket which gives you a days use of the bus and a boat trip. Have a fab time - I love Miami.

[JAF]

Not sure how much it is to park at Bayside but an alternative would be to park at one of the metro stations (parking is $4.50 for the day) and then get the Metro which is not that expensive. There is also a stop at the airport. Parking on South Beach is not easy we have done it a few times but we have been there very early in the morning after dropping our son off to go diving. Public transport in Miami is much cheaper than it is back here in the Uk and they also have transfer tickets from bus to bus and metro to and from bus.

[Hooray4Disney]

We parked at South Beach opposite the Savoy - there was a car park attendant for court yard off street parking - it did cost $20 for the day but perfect location and the car/contents safe.