Pros and cons of using Miami airport

[Worgie]

We have done it a few times & actually find Miami airport quicker and more efficient that Orlando to fly in to. The drive up to Orlando is a pain especially after a long flight but we have a 3 hour plus drive from the airport to our house in the UK so no different for us coming home to be honest. Be warned when coming home though, Miami traffic is a nightmare in rush hour so make sure if you drive straight from orlando to Miami that you leave plenty of time.

[LPCKG]

We’re flying to/from MIA on BA this year, we’ve booked a cruise departing Port Everglades the day after our arrival so have arranged a transfer to the hotel in Fort Lauderdale and have a car booked through Virgin post cruise and will drive to Orlando before returning to MIA at the end of holiday. MIA also works well for us as we can secure a domestic flight from MAN - LHR and back (it’s a real shame BA dropped the MAN - LGW flight many years ago) and we’ll also arrive relatively rested and on the day we disembark the cruise.

Direct flights offer the best, shortest journey times and we’ve generally flown direct with Virgin Atlantic to MCO but the route this year works really well. It’s not for everyone but I’d recommend comparing prices then make an informed decision.

[minshus]

We’re doing this in October. We would prefer to go into Mco, but Miami was £1200 cheaper and that was a fly drive.

[Bella Girl]

We have done this several times because of prices.

We have found it much quicker than Orlando getting through the airport and car hire.

Once we arrive, we stay at Miami airport overnight and drive up the next morning.

On our return, we drive to Sawgrass Mills the day before our return flight and stay at the Doubletree near Sawgrass over night. It is then a very easy drive to the airport.

The shopping at Sawgrass is great especially Century 21 and we stock up on those last minute things we want to take home with us.

We are flying into Orlando this year and I am not looking forward to it. Our experience has always been lots of queuing at customs then at the car hire desk

[Warkman58]

If you don’t want the faff, why not book a MIA-MCO flight? Plenty out there

[Floridarules]

Originally Posted by princess allie

We have flown in to Miami twice now and are doing this route again this summer. We have sailed through Miami airport quickly both times, the first year we collected the car and drove to a hotel about half an hour away. Last year we stayed at the Sheraton at the airport and caught the free shuttle. We then just crossed the road and walked in to the car hire garage early the next morning and were on our way. We go up the 27 as that’s where we stay and it’s an easy quiet drive. On our return, we went to the massive Sawgrass Mills mall near Miami, did some shopping and had something to eat before we went to the airport. The year before we went to Vero Beach for one night and then were closer to the airport. As long as there are savings to be made, we would fly in to Miami as we don’t find it a hassle at all.

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That’s what we are planning this Year, booked the Sheraton- can I ask, did you book the car hire to start the morning after or did you contact the car hire people and advise that you would be collecting the next day? 👍

[Wizz]

I think we’ve settled that with the huge savings we can make Miami is the best option and we’ll stay a night at either end and see some of the area too.

[jampxx]

Hi, we flown into Tampa and out of Miami a couple of times. (The last time this Friday). We haven’t had good experiences with MCO and my advice is to give your self lot of time and be prepared for a frustratingly slow check in, and lots of walking.

Like others have mentioned we like to spend time in Naples, and it saved us some money. However, I think it would have to be a lot for me to book Miami over Tampa again!

[choccielover]

Originally Posted by Floridarules

That’s what we are planning this Year, booked the Sheraton- can I ask, did you book the car hire to start the morning after or did you contact the car hire people and advise that you would be collecting the next day? 👍

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We did this and picked the car up and took it to the hotel.
We wanted to be up and straight off the next morning without having to mess about heading back to the airport.

We did pay parking ($17) but it was worth it to us

We stayed at the Pullman near the airport

[HermioneFuzzle]

We have flown into Miami airport a few times over the years. Arriving is fine, bit busy, but no worse than Orlando. Security on the return journey is a bit pushy shovey, but it wouldn’t stop me using Miami airport, especially for the savings.
We stayed overnight at Miami airport hotel, picked our car up from the airport the next morning. The hotel lobby is in the departure lounge of the airport, next to Margaritaville. It only cost us £40, plus a few avios points. I’m planning on doing the same again next year.
Car hire is then a lift ride down, a short walk in the airport and a ride on the monorail. Really easy.
The drive out of the airport and city is a bit busy, lots of freeway and concrete ramps, but once out of the city it’s easy.
We have driven around Miami a lot over the last 15 years and found the traffic and parking a real pain last year, so I would ditch the car as much as possible if you’re planning on staying in south beach.
We really relied on the car though when we stayed on Miami Beach (the area around Miami Beach resort/ Eden Roc/Fontainbleu hotels) is lovely, but a car ride to the Art Deco district. If you can find cheap/free car parking it would be really beneficial here.