Metrorail Orange Line, operated by the Miami-Dade County Transit (MDT) is the only rail line that travels between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Downtown Miami. This blog will focus on how to travel from MIA Airport to Downtown Miami.
Frequency
Weekdays
During Monday – Friday, the train departs every 15 minutes from MIA Airport. The estimated arrival time between MIA and Downtown Miami is around 15 minutes.
Weekends/Holidays
During the weekends or holidays, Orange Line travels between MIA Airport and Earlington Heights. At Earlington Heights, transfer to the Green Line to Downtown Miami. There is no additional cost to transfer to the Green Line.
Fares
The fare to ride the train is $2.50. The type of payments that MDT accepts are:
- Cash
- Can purchase ticket(s) or Easy Card at the ticket vending machine.
- Credit/Debit Card
- If the card has a RD chip, you can tap your card at the fare card reader fare gate.
- If you have Apple Pay/Google Play, tap your phone at the fare card reader.
- Can purchase ticket(s) or Easy Card at the ticket vending machine
- Miami-Dade Transit Easy Card or App
- Tap the card or app at the Fare Card Reader or scanner.
Fares are validated when you enter the station through the fare gate. When exiting the station, there is no need to tap your card. The gate will automatically open when exiting the station.
First journey to Downtown Miami
After picking up the baggage in the baggage claim, the next step is to walk towards the MIA Mover. MIA Mover is a free people mover train that travels between the MIA Airport and Central Station. In Central Station (or Airport Station), there is car rental station, Tri Rail Station, Metrobus station, Metrorail Orange Line Station and other bus services. MIA Mover departs every 3 minutes and arrives to the Central Station in 3 minutes.
Arriving Miami Airport Station
After arriving at Miami Airport Station (or Central Station), walk towards the Miami Metrorail Station. At the entrance, you can purchase a ticket/Easy Card or simply use your credit card/mobile payment by tapping on the fare gate.
After purchasing the ticket or tapping your credit card/mobile payment on the fare gate, walk towards the rail platform. All trains will depart to Downtown Miami and look for a train that the doors are open. Inside the train, there are plenty of room for baggage.
Below this phrase is an map of the Orange Line. Point A is MIA Airport and Point B is Dadeland South.
Stations in Downtown Miami
The train will stop at three stations in Downtown Miami:
- Historical Overtown/Lyric Theatre
- Government Center
- Brickell
Those three stations, you can also transfer to a free people mover train called MetroMover. MetroMover is a people mover train that travels inside and around Downtown Miami. It is free to ride the Metromover.
Historical Overtown/ Lyric Theatre
- MiamiCentral Station
- Transfer to Brightline (to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando).
- Transfer to Tri Rail Commuter Train to Metrorail Transfer Station
Government Center
- Miami-Dade County Offices
- Court houses (local and federal level)
Brickell
- Miami Financial District
Other destinations
Orange and Green Lines mainly stops at Downtown and parts of South Miami (or University of Miami). However, if you are planning to visit the beach or other parts of Miami, you have to board a Metrobus or Tri Rail/Brightline. Here are the alternatives to travel to those other destination:
Miami Beach
Metro Bus Route 150 travels between MIA Airport and Miami Beach (limited to Mid and South Beach). The bus departs every 30 minutes and the full fare is $2.50. For more information about this route, please view the official schedule/map (in PDF) or watch the ride video from MIA Airport to Miami Beach bus ride on YouTube.
Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach
Miami Metrorail does not operate trains beyond Miami-Dade County. However, there are other two rail service that travels to Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach, Tri Rail and Brightline.
Tri Rail
Tri Rail is a public commuter train that travels between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Fares are economical (around $5 per person).
Brightline Florida
Brightline Florida is a private intercity train that travels between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Fares are pricey and varies during the time of the day. In average, it may cost more than $20 per person.