Taking the public transport between the Port of Miami and the Miami airport isn’t just convenient, it’s a great way to save a ton of cash versus things like Uber or a cab.
While an Uber/Lyft between the cruise port and the airport will run you about $20-25 each way, and a taxi will cost you $30-35, you can take the train and trolley between the airport and cruise port for just $2.25 per person, each way.
Best of all, the actual time it will take you to get back and forth is roughly the same (thought it might take an additional 5-10 minutes of walking). And if there is a lot of traffic between the airport and cruise port? Public transportation might even get you there faster.
The only issue is that riding public transportation in an unfamiliar place can be intimidating. From figuring out where to go, which route to catch, and even how to pay your fare, there’s a lot to know if you’ve never ridden before.
That’s why we recently rode the Coral Way Trolley and the Orange Line Metrorail to get a first-hand look at how to get from the cruise port to the airport. (You can click the links above for more details on each service.)
Riding From the Miami Airport to the Miami Cruise Port
Flying in for your cruise? If you want to head directly to the port, the Metrorail and free trolley can get you there easily in about 30 minutes.
As an overview of the route, you’ll take the Orange Line Metrorail from Miami International Airport to the Government Center stop. There, you’ll exit the train and walk to the Coral Way Trolley, which takes you to the port. Details are below.
Note: The trolley stops toward the west end of cruise port. If sailing MSC (Terminal AAA), Royal Caribbean (Terminal A) or Norwegian Cruise Line (Terminal B), then expect a decent walk with luggage to the cruise ship.
Step 1
As you arrive at the Miami airport, follow the signs to baggage claim and ground transportation. There, you’ll see signs pointing to the “MIA Mover.” This is a short airport tram that runs between the terminals and the rental car center/Metrorail station.
After riding and exiting the tram, follow the signs for the Metrorail. As you approach, you’ll see ticket machines and a Transit Information Center should you need any help navigating your way.
Ticket fare is $2.25 per person for a Metrorail ride. After purchasing your ticket from one of the machines, head to the train station. Since the airport the last stop on the line, you don’t have to worry about the train’s direction. Simply catch the next Orange Line train. Trains run approximately every 15 minutes.
Weekend Note: If traveling on a weekend, the Orange Line goes only from the airport to Earlington Heights. There, you will transfer to the Green Line to continue south. Trains also run less frequently on weekends.
Step 2
You’ll ride the Orange Line to the Government Center station, which is seven stops from the airport. In general, the ride takes about 15 minutes. Once at Government Center, you’ll exit the train and make your way out of the building.
The next step is to catch the free Coral Way Trolley. The trolley has a stop right in front of Government Center, but that stop heads in the opposite direction of the cruise port. Instead, you’ll want to walk approximately two blocks to the stop headed toward the Port of Miami.
The stop is #34 (Miami-Dade Cultural Center) and it’s located on SW 1st Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue. Look for the orange and green “Coral Way Trolley” sign. Trolleys run approximately 20-30 minutes, seven days a week, and are free to everyone.
You can track the trolley on the city of Miami’s website. This helps you get a real-time idea of when the next ride should arrive.
Brickell Station Alternate: If you prefer, you can ride the Metrorail one more stop to Brickell Station and then get off. There is a Coral Way Trolley stop right at the station on street level (saving you a walk if stopping at Government Center). However, it’s a faster trip to transfer at Government Center.
Step 3
Once on the trolley, you’ll simply ride it over the causeway to Dodge Island where the cruise ships are located. The ride should only take about 10 minutes. While the route map shows several stops around the ports, in our experience the only stop we’ve seen is on North America Way, near the park on the island. From there you’ll need to walk over to your cruise ship.
Below, we’ve put together a map showing each step in the trip from the Miami airport to the cruise port. Click each green checkmark to see more:
Summing Up How to Take Public Transport to the Cruise Port
To make things simple, here’s the path that you’ll take to get from the Miami airport to the cruise port:
- Once arriving, follow signs for ground transportation. Take the MIA Mover to the airport’s Metrorail station. (FREE)
- Ride the Orange Line Metrorail from the airport to Government Center. ($2.25) If riding during the weekend, the Orange Line only goes to Earlington Heights. There, you transfer to the Green Line to go the rest of the way.
- Get off the train at Government Center and then walk to SW 1st Street to catch the Coral Way Trolley to the cruise port. (FREE)
- Walk to your cruise terminal.
Riding From the Cruise Port to Miami International Airport
Headed back to the airport after a cruise? Use the directions below to get back to your flight.
Just as with getting to the cruise port, to get to the Miami airport, you will take two different modes of transportation — the Coral Way Trolley and the Orange Line Metrorail — with a transfer between the two at Government Center in downtown Miami.
Step 1
First, you’ll want to find the stop for the Coral Way Trolley at the Port of Miami. The stop is near Seafarers Park, across from Terminal F. Below is a picture, and we have a map above of its location.
You’ll look for the blue-topped cover, and the sign for the Coral Way Trolley. Note that you can ask any number of port staff for the location of the stop if you can’t find it.
One thing to keep in mind is that the stop is some distance if you are arriving at the Royal Caribbean or Norwegian terminals. Expect to walk about 15 minutes to get there. Other terminals are much closer and take only a few minutes walk to get there.
The trolley runs Monday-Saturday from 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. On Sunday, it runs from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The service is completely free and a bus should arrive every 15-30 minutes. You simply hop on and take a seat. (Note: We’ve ridden on a Sunday and the first trolley didn’t arrive until roughly 8:45 a.m., so if you’re in a rush try another method.)
Note: You can track the trolley on the city of Miami’s website where you can see exactly where the trolley is at any time. This helps you know how long until the next trolley and where your ride is in relative to your stop.
Step 2
Once on the trolley, let the driver know that you will want to exit at Government Center. The ride over takes about 10 minutes.
Once at Government Center, you’ll look for the signage for the “Metrorail/Metromover” and the escalators that go up to the station.
Ride the escalators up and then look for the ticket vending machines to purchase your ticket for the Orange Line. You can use the automated machine to purchase your fare or there is also a booth where you can buy the card from a staff member.
The ticket costs only $2.25 per person.
Ticket in hand, you’ll scan your ticket at the gate and then head up the escalators to the train platform. You can watch the boards to see when the next train will arrive. To go to the airport, you’ll board the Orange Line-Northbound.
Weekend Note: If traveling on a weekend, the Orange Line goes only from the airport to Earlington Heights. So you’ll want to instead board the Green Line and then transfer to the Orange Line at Earlington Heights to continue to the airport. Trains also run less frequently on weekends, so allow plenty of time.
Step 3
Once on the train, you’ll ride it north until you reach the Miami airport. The airport is the last station on the line, so there is no danger of missing your stop. (See weekend note above if traveling on Saturday or Sunday. In that case, you’ll transfer from the Green Line at Earlington Heights to the Orange Line to go to the airport).
As you exit the train, look for the escalators heading up to the airport. Ride the escalator and then continue following the signs for the airport and the MIA Mover. This automated tram runs the short distance from the Metrorail station to the airport terminals.
As you exit the MIA Mover, you’ll continue down the walkway until you arrive at a split in the path. From here, you simply look for your airline on the board and then follow the arrow to get to your correct terminal.
Summing Up How to Take Public Transport to the Airport
To make things simple, here’s the path that you’ll take to get from the cruise port to the airport:
- Catch the Coral Way Trolley the Port of Miami. (FREE)
- Transfer to the Orange Line at Government Center, headed to the Miami Airport. ($2.25) If it’s a weekend, ride the Green Line north and transfer to the Orange Line at Earlington Heights. Then ride to the airport.
- At the airport station, ride the MIA Mover to the terminals. (FREE)
- Walk to your terminal to check-in/board your flight.
In total, the ride took us about 30 minutes and was extremely convenient. We also loved saving a ton of money on getting to the airport.
Have questions about riding the trolley and train between the Miami port and airport? Let us know in the comments below. You can also view other transportation options here.
Thank u 4 tkng the time T.C!… Happy travels every one.
Thank you for step-by-step instructions. I’m going to rent a car to MIA and follow your instructions to cruise port. I’ve checked street view of Google Map along SW 1st Street from west to east and did not find a Bus Stop sign for Coral Way Trolley but only a sign for MetroMover Shuttle Bus. To be able to catch Coral Way Trolley, do you think it is better to be off at Brickell Metrorail Station?
Cruising out of Port Miami soon. Thanks for the information. Your step by step instructions pair with photos of landmarks are super helpful.
We just did this trip. The trek to the trolley can be a little rough. It’s not a nice area of town and we ran into a lot of questionable characters to say the least (look out for the poop on the side walks). Also, the trolley does not take folks to Port Terminal A (Royal Caribbean), and the walk is quite far from where they drop you at the Carnival Cruise line port.
We loved the idea, and gave it our best shot but needed a cab from the Carnival Port to Royal Caribbean. Next time we’ll Uber it from the airport to the cruise line port. 😉
Yes, it’s definitely not perfect — especially if sailing from Terminal A.
Hi. Can you give detailed instructions & possibly pics from port of miami to FLL airport. I used your directions last year getting to the Miami airport from the port & it was super easy. However, this time we fly out of FLL. I’m assuming I still take the coral way trolley to government station to catch the metrorail to FLL. Is that correct?
Hey Tanner, I am going to Miami soon and I’m not gonna lie I’m a little lost on directions from the coral way trolley to get to the airport. I’m returning home on a Sunday and I am still not completely understanding the whole instructions on how to get from the cruise terminal to the airport especially since the routes are different on the day I leave.
Thanks for writing in. I’ll be honest, unless you have a lot of time, I’d suggest getting an Uber/Lyft to the airport on Sunday morning. The trolley and metrorail run with less frequency, and it could easily be 10 a.m. before you’re able to get to the airport. If you do want to still ride, here’s the process:
1. Catch Coral Way Trolley at the port (Schedule says it starts at 8 a.m. I’ve done it personally and it showed up around 8:30-8:45. Check the trolley tracker to see where it is in real time)
2. Take the Coral Way Trolley to Government Center
3. Take the Green Line north from Government Center to Earlington Heights (Since it’s Sunday, the Orange Line only runs between Earlington and the airport)
4. Transfer at Earlington Heights to the Orange Line that heads to the airport
Where is the trolley located at the Miami cruise port…. Near which terminal? And does it go to Bayside?
It’s right across from Terminal F. There is a stop at Bayside, but it’s one of the last stops before crossing over to the port. If you are departing the cruise terminal and wanting to go to Bayside, you’ll want the first stop and then walk over to Bayside. Otherwise, you have to ride the whole route before reaching it again.
Thank you for the info. How often does it pass and what are the operating hours?
Is there a side-walk between North America Way (port of Miami – after riding on the Trolley) to the Cruise Terminal AA/AA which is around 30-40 minutes walk? Is it safe to walk?
Thanks.
There is sidewalk much of the way. You will have to cross a number of small roadways. It’s safe, but definitely keep an eye out as pedestrians aren’t that common outside of the terminals and there are a number of blind corners for drivers.
Just curious how available are taxis or Ubers from the port to get to the airport. Is it something you should plan a care service in advance or are they readily accessible? I have two small children that I don’t think I would be able to truck around public transportation as much as I would like to. I am nervous not having a ride set up in advance to get back to the airport. Any information would be great.
Thanks,
Chris
Taxis are abundant. Uber/Lyft you’ll need to call and it might take a few minutes.
Honestly, I’ve found it easier to walk about a half-mile over the causeway into downtown and then calling a ride. However, that doesn’t sound like an option for you.
Thank you for the understandable instructions with pictures. Traveling in a new city is confusing. We have almost a full day after our cruise and was wondering if you may have suggestions on how to get to Miami Beach from Port Miami. Time isn’t a big deal but I am getting a headache trying to figure out transitioning the trolley lines, then I can figure out the luggage issue:)
To my knowledge, there’s no easy to way to get to Miami Beach via public transportation. You’ll want to get an Uber/Lyft.
Thank You!! This is extremely useful and helpful information. We really appreciate that you included all the step-by-step details. Thank you!
Thanks for this post Tanner. It would be nice to have pictures going the opposite direction please. So nice to have a visual reference for each step like you did for the trip from the Port to MIA. it looks like you may have had a plan to do this, but perhaps did not get around to posting yet.
Just did the route that way (airport to cruise port) the other day. I’ll update shortly!
Is there a shuttle at the port of Miami that circulates between the different cruise terminals and the parking lots? So strange the trolly doesn’t stop anywhere near RCL terminal.
No, there is not. And you’re right — it’s a bit of a walk from the shuttle to the RCL terminal.
hmm i cruise out of miami a lot I think I’ll try this out. Why not save a few bucks? It means a couple more glasses of wine <3
Done it personally. Not as convenient as just catching an Uber/Lyft but not bad at all and dirt cheap if you have some extra time!
You need to reverse this. Nobody begins at the cruise terminal. Everybody begins at the airport.
Good point. Stay tuned…
How hard is it to travel on the trolley with luggage ?
Not hard at all. When I rode there was plenty of space. I simply rolled my bag into the seating area right by my legs.