Miami Car Hire Question

Blue Baloo · 28 Dec 16, 02:07 PM

Flying into Miami for the first time.

Was thinking of staying for 2 nights. Planning on seeing Miami Marlins and a few other things.

Planning on budget hotel near the airport and returning to the airport to pick up the car on the day we travel to Orlando.

Is this a good idea? Car parking seems to be difficult and expensive.

Alamo seems to be best rated in Miami.

Thanks for any thoughts and / or ideas.

Mr Tom Morrow · 28 Dec 16, 03:02 PM

Can't help with Miami sorry. But make sure you use a company that doesn't fleece you for toll admin charges as the route you use to Orlando has 'cashless' only lanes and you get billed via the number plate recognition system.
For example some companies only charge an admin fee for the day(s) you use the system. Some charge you for every day even if you only use the system once.

sunpass/rentalcar

Blue Baloo · 28 Dec 16, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the info Tom

DFCH-Andy · 28 Dec 16, 04:41 PM

When I went a few years back I caught the bus from the transportation hub at the airport to South Beach. Bus runs every hour and takes about 30 mins to get to the main strip and only costs a couple of $$. Alamo have an office further up the beach which is on the bus route. I stayed in a relatively basic hotel called the Blue Penguin which was on the main strip. Not sure how much I paid but I remember it was a decent price compared to all the other hotels in the area. I do recall parking was problematic & expensive. Think the only options you have is to keep moving it around or pay for valet parking at the hotels.

As Tom said, many of the tolls are cashless so avoid Dollar / Thrifty. Alamo is my preferred.

dave · 28 Dec 16, 04:47 PM

Stayed at Miami this year. Did 2 nights at the beach when we arrived. 1 night at the airport Sheraton when leaving. If you book a club room you get breakfast, envening snack, depending on what it is you may not need to eat another meal. Snacks, water and sift drinks throughout the day.
We used Alamo $3.95 per day used toll fast pass.

Blue Baloo · 28 Dec 16, 07:30 PM

Thanks for some good info

**quartergill** · 28 Dec 16, 08:04 PM

We flew into Miami last year and stayed at BEST WESTERN PLUS Miami Airport North Hotel & Suites for first night. Then picked up the Alamo hire car next day. No problems. If you get good price on the hotel worth staying there.

Blue Baloo · 29 Dec 16, 02:27 PM

Thanks quatergill. Will check that hotel out.

28 Dec 16, 02:07 PM	#1
	28 Dec 16, 02:07 PM Blue Baloo Getting to know the DIBB
Blue Baloo Getting to know the DIBB Join Date: Feb 16	Miami Car Hire Question Flying into Miami for the first time. Was thinking of staying for 2 nights. Planning on seeing Miami Marlins and a few other things. Planning on budget hotel near the airport and returning to the airport to pick up the car on the day we travel to Orlando. Is this a good idea? Car parking seems to be difficult and expensive. Alamo seems to be best rated in Miami. Thanks for any thoughts and / or ideas.

28 Dec 16, 03:02 PM	#2
	28 Dec 16, 03:02 PM Mr Tom Morrow Imagineer
Mr Tom Morrow Imagineer Join Date: Jul 14 Location: The Tiki Room. theDIBB Guidebook Pages Created: 3	Can't help with Miami sorry. But make sure you use a company that doesn't fleece you for toll admin charges as the route you use to Orlando has 'cashless' only lanes and you get billed via the number plate recognition system. For example some companies only charge an admin fee for the day(s) you use the system. Some charge you for every day even if you only use the system once. sunpass/rentalcar __________________ "PAGING MR MORROW, MR TOM MORROW..." ''I drink Wine and know things'' DVC Owners at SSR since 2003. Multiple annual visits to America since 1976

28 Dec 16, 03:14 PM	#3
	28 Dec 16, 03:14 PM Blue Baloo Getting to know the DIBB Thread Starter
Blue Baloo Thread Starter Getting to know the DIBB Join Date: Feb 16	Thanks for the info Tom

28 Dec 16, 04:41 PM	#4
	28 Dec 16, 04:41 PM - DIBB Advertiser - DFCH-Andy DIBB Advertiser
DFCH-Andy DIBB Advertiser - DIBB Advertiser - Join Date: Dec 16	When I went a few years back I caught the bus from the transportation hub at the airport to South Beach. Bus runs every hour and takes about 30 mins to get to the main strip and only costs a couple of $$. Alamo have an office further up the beach which is on the bus route. I stayed in a relatively basic hotel called the Blue Penguin which was on the main strip. Not sure how much I paid but I remember it was a decent price compared to all the other hotels in the area. I do recall parking was problematic & expensive. Think the only options you have is to keep moving it around or pay for valet parking at the hotels. As Tom said, many of the tolls are cashless so avoid Dollar / Thrifty. Alamo is my preferred. __________________ Andy Discount Florida Car Hire www.discountfloridacarhire.co.uk

28 Dec 16, 07:30 PM	#6
	28 Dec 16, 07:30 PM Blue Baloo Getting to know the DIBB Thread Starter
Blue Baloo Thread Starter Getting to know the DIBB Join Date: Feb 16	Thanks for some good info

28 Dec 16, 08:04 PM	#7
	28 Dec 16, 08:04 PM quartergill VIP Dibber ✓Premium Member
quartergill VIP Dibber Join Date: Mar 06 Location: South Lanarkshire	We flew into Miami last year and stayed at BEST WESTERN PLUS Miami Airport North Hotel & Suites for first night. Then picked up the Alamo hire car next day. No problems. If you get good price on the hotel worth staying there.

29 Dec 16, 02:27 PM	#8
	29 Dec 16, 02:27 PM Blue Baloo Getting to know the DIBB Thread Starter
Blue Baloo Thread Starter Getting to know the DIBB Join Date: Feb 16	Thanks quatergill. Will check that hotel out.