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Travel to Miami

Flying to Miami

Airlines operating direct flights to Miami include American Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Numerous airlines offer domestic flights to Miami from other US cities, including American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United and US Airways. Prices tend to rise around the peak period between March-May, such as school summer holidays and Christmas.

Flight times

From London - 9 hours 20 minutes; New York - 3 hours 15 minutes; Los Angeles - 5 hours 20 minutes; Toronto - 3 hours 10 minutes; Singapore – 27 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 20 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

Traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 16. Speed limits range from 24 kph (15 mph) to 48 kph (30 mph) in the city, 88 kph (55 mph) on most state highways and 88-112 kph (55-70 mph) on interstates and the Florida Turnpike. Speeding fines are hefty.

The State of Florida recognises valid driving licences from the US and other countries, as well as International Driving Permits. Visitors who plan on driving should have Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) as part of their standard travel insurance.

The AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357; www.aaa.com) provides information and road maps and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357).

Routes

The I-95 is the major north-south expressway, providing access into Miami from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It runs through Downtown Miami and into US-1 (also called Dixie Highway), which continues south to Key West.

Another toll-paying expressway, the Florida Turnpike, heads southwards from Orlando and Central Florida to the Golden Glades Interchange in the north. The major east-west expressway to Downtown Miami is State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway), connecting Florida's Turnpike in the west with the I-95 and Miami Beach (via the I-395) in the east.

Coaches

Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates coach services to cities throughout North America. The main Miami coach station is at 3801 North West 21st Street. Routes include direct links to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West, as well as direct long-distance services to New York.

Megabus (tel: +1 877 462 6342; www.megabus.com) runs direct coaches from Miami to Orlando and Tampa.

Time to city

From Fort Lauderdale - 40 minutes; Palm Beach - 1 hour 20 minutes; Key West - 3 hours 30 minutes; Orlando - 3 hours 30 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

Miami is connected to the USA's national railway network, Amtrak. Trains are comfortable, if rather slow. Miami's main Amtrak rail terminal is located at 8303 North West 37th Avenue.

Virgin Trains (https://virginmiamicentral.com) connect Miami Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The station is located at 600 North West 1st Avenue.

Operators

Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the USA's national railway provider. Amtrak's Silver Service and Palmetto trains operate up the Atlantic coast from Miami to New York City.

Virgin Trains (https://virginmiamicentral.com) connect Miami with cities north of Miami.

Journey times

From Orlando - 5 hours 30 minutes; Jacksonville - 9 hours 30 minutes; New York City - 29 hours.

Travel by boat

Near Bayside Marketplace, PortMiami (tel: +1 305 347 4800; www.miamidade.gov/portmiami) is one of the world's busiest cruise ports. Its terminals have smart facilities, including VIP lounges and an outdoor observation deck.

Ferry operators

Carnival Cruise Lines (tel: +1 800 764 7419; www.carnival.com), Norwegian Cruise Line (tel: +1 611 3607 0; www.ncl.com) and Royal Caribbean International (tel: +1 800 256 6649; www.royalcaribbean.com) are among several cruise lines operating from the port.

Transfer

The Coral Way Route Trolley connects the port with the Freedom Tower, a Metromover station, in Downtown Miami.

Port Website

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

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The Shore Club

It comes as no surprise that Miami's ultimate urban design hotel is located at South Beach. Stark modernism and the white-on-white décor of the 325 rooms and suites is softened by lush Moroccan-inspired tropical gardens. The Nobu restaurant and the Sky Bar are hugely popular with the city's cool crowd.

Hotel Shelley

Occupying one of South Beach's charming art deco buildings, the pistachio and cream Hotel Shelley is within striking distance of the beach and close to most major amenities. Rooms are cosy and comfortable, and all are decked out in soothing neutral hues. Popular with younger travellers, it doesn't compromise on style.

Freehand Miami

A bright and cheerful hostel that's a short walk from the Bass Museum, the Freehand Miami is a good choice for those on a budget and who don't mind sharing their sleeping quarters. The brightly coloured rooms sleep up to eight people in bunks and are both mixed and gender-specific if you prefer. The beach is a short walk away.

Whitelaw Hotel

Housed in a quaint art deco building in South Beach, the Whitelaw Hotel has become a favourite of hipster travellers who don't want to spend the earth on accommodation. Conveniently close to all of Miami Beach's major attractions, it boasts clean, spacious rooms and a friendly atmosphere.

Dream South Beach

Once you've seen the Dream South Beach's beautifully decorated rooms, all of which come complete with iPod docks, you'll begin to realise what a bargain this is. Housed inside a beautiful art deco building, the boutique hotel is small but highly stylish. A swimming pool and lounge occupy the roof.

The Tides

As the tallest and most elegant art deco hotel on Ocean Drive, The Tides offers genuine style for the incurably hip, with a minimalist interior that is sophisticated, spacious and sumptuous, decorated in soft tones of white, taupe and sand. The 45 suites all have incredible views of the beach.