Miami Public Transport: A Practical Visitor Guide

Metrorail, Metromover and Metrobus cover different parts of Miami, and rail connections make it possible to combine services on a single trip. The right starting point depends on where you are going and which station or bus route serves it.

Metrorail runs from Kendall through South Miami, Coral Gables and downtown Miami. It continues north to the Civic Center and Jackson Memorial Hospital area, Brownsville, Liberty City, Hialeah and Medley. For trips across those areas, check the Metrorail map before setting out and match your destination to the nearest station.

Metromover serves 21 stations on its Omni, Inner and Brickell loops, between Financial District station in Brickell and School Board station in the Omni area. It opened to the public in April 1986. Its listed service hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week; check the official site before you go for current service information.

Metrobus adds connections beyond the rail lines. Some routes serve major transfer points, while others provide links to neighbourhoods and destinations not directly on Metrorail. Check the route details for your specific trip, especially if your plans depend on a particular day of service.

Metrorail also connects with Brightline at Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre station, and with Tri-Rail at the MIA and Tri-Rail stations. These links can help you plan a journey that continues beyond the local rail network.

You can pay for Miami-Dade Transit with contactless payment, an EASY Card or EASY Ticket, and the GO Miami-Dade Transit app, though the options differ between Metrorail and Metrobus. Passes are another option if you expect to make multiple trips.

The county lists regular passes at $5.65 for one day, $29.25 for seven days and $112.50 for one month. The 1-Day Pass is valid from first use until 2:00 a.m. the next day; the 7-Day Pass lasts for seven consecutive days from first use. Check the official site before you go for current fares, pass details and payment rules.

Transfer rules can affect what you pay when changing services. The county lists free bus-to-bus transfers within three hours of first use, as well as free bus-to-rail and rail-to-bus transfers.

Bus-to-bus transfers do not apply to round trips. To access the listed transfer fees, pay with contactless payment, an EASY Card or an EASY Ticket; cash-paying passengers pay full fare each time they board.

Metrorail accepts contactless payment, EASY Card, EASY Ticket and the GO Miami-Dade Transit app. Metrobus accepts those options as well as cash. If you plan to transfer between buses or rail and bus, choose a payment method that qualifies for the county’s transfer rules.

Metrorail and Metrobus connect the airport area with central Miami and other transfer points. Miami Intermodal Center is a useful nearby point to factor into your route planning.

At the MIA Metrorail station, Route 7 connects with the Downtown Bus Terminal, Main Library, Historical Museum of South Florida, Miami Art Museum, MDC Wolfson Campus and Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Metrorail station. Its buses stop on the station’s ground level: drop-offs are on the east side and pickups are on the west side.

For Coral Gables, Route 37 connects the MIA Metrorail station with the city and Douglas Road Metrorail station. The route has no Saturday or Sunday service, so check the day’s schedule before relying on it.

Route 57 links Tri-Rail Airport Station, the MIA Metrorail station and South Miami Metrorail station. It operates on weekdays only, making it important to confirm the route’s service pattern when planning a weekend trip.

For more airport arrival options, see this guide to MIA airport transportation.

Start by identifying the closest useful station or bus connection, then check the route and service day before you leave. Miami Intermodal Center can serve as a practical starting point for connecting with the wider network.

If Coral Gables is on your itinerary, compare the Route 37 connection with the free City of Coral Gables Trolley. The trolley runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on the first Friday of each month, when it runs until 10 p.m.

Route 37 does not run on weekends, so the trolley’s weekday schedule may be useful for planning, but check current operating details before travelling.

For other local outings, use the rail-and-bus network as one part of your plan and confirm the final connection to your destination. You can also read the Coral Gables neighbourhood guide or the guide to getting to LoanDepot Park for destination-specific planning.

For hotel details and booking information, visit Miami Princess Hotel.

What public transport services operate in Miami?

Miami-Dade Transit operates Metrorail, Metromover and Metrobus. Metrorail serves a broad corridor through Miami-Dade County, while Metromover runs on loops in central Miami.

Can you use one payment method for Metrorail and Metrobus?

Contactless payment, EASY Card, EASY Ticket and the GO Miami-Dade Transit app are listed options for both services. Metrobus also accepts cash, but cash fares do not qualify for the listed transfer fees.

Does Route 37 run on weekends?

No. The county lists Route 37 as having no Saturday or Sunday service. Check the current schedule before planning a trip around it.

How does the City of Coral Gables Trolley operate?

The trolley is free and runs Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 10 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Its usual weekday service ends at 8 p.m.