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Art deco hotel in Miami

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Travel to Miami

Flying to Miami

Flights to Miami are offered by a number of different airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic. If you want to book cheap flights to Miami, travel in June, July and August when the weather is extremely hot. Cheap flights to Miami are also available in the shoulder season months such as May and October too.

Flight times: 

From London - 8 hours 30 minutes; New York - 3 hours; Los Angeles - 5 hours; Toronto - 3 hours 45 minutes; Sydney - 18 hours.

Travel by road

Summary:

When it comes to driving in Miami, bear in mind that Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits range from 24kph (15mph) to 72kph (45mph) in the city, 88kph (55mph) on most state highways and 88-112kph (55-70mph) on interstates and the Florida Turnpike. Speeding fines are hefty. All drivers must be over 16 years and are required to hold a current driving licence. The State of Florida recognises valid driver's licences from the USA 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 American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel: (305) 661 6131 or 1 800 222 1333; www.aaa.com) provides information and road maps and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service:

AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).

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.

Driving times:

From Fort Lauderdale - 1 hour; Palm Beach - 2 hours; Key West - 3 hours 30 minutes; Orlando - 5 hours.

Coaches:

Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates three main coach stations in Miami: at 4111 NW 27th Street, near the airport; at 1012 NW First Avenue near Bayside, downtown Miami; and at 16000 NW Seventh Avenue in North Miami. Greyhound operates direct links to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West, as well as long distance destinations such as New Orleans, Washington DC and New York.

Travel by rail

Services:

Miami's main Amtrak rail terminal is located at 8303 NW 37th Avenue (tel: (305) 835 1221). The station has very basic facilities, including a checked baggage service, an enclosed waiting area, payphones and vending machines.

Operators:

Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the national railway provider offering comfortable trains and a reliable, efficient services to cities throughout the USA and Canada. Amtrak's Silver Meteor and Silver Star trains operate up the Atlantic coast from Miami to New York City.

Journey times:

From Orlando - 5 hours; Jacksonville - 8 hours 30 minutes; New York City - 29 hours.

Travel over water

Summary:

The Dante B Fascell Port of Miami (tel: (305) 347 4800; www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/portofmiami), under the authority of Miami-Dade County Seaport Department is the world's busiest cruise port. Near Bayside Marketplace, the port is home to 18 cruise ships and its terminal has smart facilities such as VIP lounges and an outdoor observation deck.

Ferry services:

Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are among several cruise liners operating from the port.

Nearest port:

Miami.

Transport to the city:

The Seaport Shuttle operates between the cruise ship terminals and downtown. Bus 3, 16, 93, 95, C or S goes from Bayside (Biscayne Boulevard) to downtown Miami.

Transfer distance:

3.2km (2 miles).

Transfer time:

5 minutes.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

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