A guide to Miami Airport (MIA)

Quick insights

• Miami International Airport (MIA) has three terminals that house six concourses.
• MIA is approximately eight miles from Downtown Miami.
• Priority Pass™ members can access two participating airport lounges at MIA.

MIA is South Florida's primary international airport that serves as a gateway between the U.S. and Latin America. Its three terminals (North, Central and South) are situated in a single building that offers a variety of dining, shopping and lounging options.

Keep reading to learn about navigating to the airport, parking options, what to do during a layover and more.

Navigating to and from Miami Airport

Whether you're headed to or from MIA, you'll have a variety of available transportation options:

• Taxi: The taxi queue in on the arrivals (ground) level outside baggage claim. Wheelchair accessible taxis are available upon request.
• Rideshare: Ride app pickup zones are located on the arrivals level at the middle median; follow signs to the designated zone indicated by your rideshare app.
• Bus: The Miami Beach Bus runs every 30 minutes between the Miami International Airport Metrorail station and Miami Beach. Several Metrobus lines also connect the airport to the greater Miami metropolitan area.
• Train: The Miami Metrorail's Green Line and Orange Line are accessible through MIA. There's also the Tri-Rail, a commuter train service that links Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
• Hotel shuttle: If you schedule shuttle service through your hotel, pick-up and drop-off areas will be on the upper departures level.
• Rental car: The free MIA Mover, a people mover on the third level, connects you to the Rental Car Center's customer service lobby.

Parking options at Miami Airport

MIA has two garages used for both short and long-term parking:

• Dolphin Garage: Serves Concourses D and E
• Flamingo Garage: Serves Concourses E through J

Vehicles may stay in MIA parking garages for a maximum of 45 days (except where "no overnight parking" is listed). There's also valet parking on the second level of both garages; vehicles parked in valet may stay a maximum of 20 days.

Those in search of affordable parking may find the Economy Park & Ride preferable. A free shuttle service connects this lot to the main terminal building and runs every 15 minutes.

Visit MIA's website for more parking information.

When to arrive for your flight

Most airport officials suggest arriving two hours prior to your departure time for domestic flights and three hours prior for international flights. If you plan to park on-site or are traveling during the holidays, you may want to give yourself some additional buffer time.

Programs like TSA PreCheck^® and Global Entry may also save you time at security.

Miami Airport map

Want to get acquainted with all of MIA's terminals, parking options and amenities before you arrive? View a variety of different airport maps on MIA's website.

You can browse shopping and dining options, animal relief areas, nursing stations and more.

Miami Airport terminal information

All three terminals are in one building. Below is a breakdown on concourse locations:

• North Terminal: Concourse D
• Central Terminal: Concourses E, F and G
• South Terminal: Concourses H and J

Travelers may use a people mover that operates along the length of the North Terminal to more quickly travel between concourses.

Additional terminal information to know includes:

• Level 1: Arrivals and baggage claim
• Level 2: Departures, check-in and ticketing
• Level 3: Moving walkways to travel between terminals

In addition to the moving walkways on level three, there's also a Skytrain above Concourse D that can take travelers from one end of the concourse to the other. Elevators in Concourse D go up to the Skytrain stations.

Priority Pass lounges at Miami Airport

Priority Pass members have access to two Turkish Airlines Lounge locations in the Priority Pass network at MIA:

• North Terminal Concourse D and E: On level two after security in Concourse E. To access from Concourse D, pass through the connector to the Central Terminal.
• South Terminal Concourse H and J: Take the lounge elevator midway between Concourses H and J to the third floor; turn left.

Amenities include:

• Refreshments
• Shower facilities
• Computer workstations and printers
• Wi-Fi

Access to both lounges is permitted three hours prior to your scheduled flight departure. Children under two are permitted for free.

Note that there are different levels of Priority Pass membership with different associated lounge fees; refer to your individual membership for lounge entitlement and fee information.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve^® credit card or are interested in applying for one, you may be eligible for complimentary Priority Pass membership as a credit card benefit (note that the card has an annual fee).

Things to do at Miami Airport

Have a long layover at MIA? There's plenty to explore without leaving the airport. MIA recommends checking out the following (information up to date as of June 2024):

• View airport art: Miami Airport's art and exhibitions program, MIA Galleries, displays a range of rotating contemporary artwork. Get your steps in between flights and explore the art pieces in all three terminals.
• Go shopping: There are more than 120 shopping destinations throughout MIA, from high-end boutiques to local gift shops.
• Enjoy local restaurants: There are plenty of chain restaurants if you need a quick bite, but if you have additional time to spare, you may want to explore some local flavors. Head to Corona Beach House, Corona's first flagship restaurant and sports bar in the U.S., or Half Moon Empanadas, where everything is made from scratch.

If you'd like to store your bag during your layover, head to baggage storage on the second level of the Central Terminal, Concourse E.

MIA recommends that travelers only visit attractions outside the airport during layovers if they have five hours or more between flights.

In summary

Headed to Miami Airport in the near future? Learn more about how to access participating airport lounges with Priority Pass membership. By becoming a member, you'll also gain access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide in addition to a variety of other travel benefits.

This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. Details since publication are subject to change. Visit Priority Pass' official website for the most up-to-date benefits information.