What’s cool, What’s where at MIA Airport
Located near downtown Miami on 3,230 acres of land, Miami International Airport (MIA) was founded in 1928 and is now the country’s third-busiest airport for international passengers and one of the busiest airports in the world.
MIA serves more than 45 million passengers a year with a line-up of more than 100 air carriers offering flights to more than 160 destinations, including more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport.
MIA on social media
MIA on social media: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram
General Information: (305)876-7000/ (800)825-5643
Address: 2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126
Checkpoint savvy at Miami International Airport
MIA has 10 security checkpoints, including two that operate 24 hours: Checkpoint 2 (Concourse D) and Checkpoint J1-Central.
Passengers can access all terminals and concourses, except Concourse F, from any checkpoint.
Park at Miami International Airport
Parking options at Miami International Airport include:
Garage: The Dolphin Garage serves North Terminals D and E. The Flamingo Garage serves Central Terminals F and G and South Terminals H and J. Electric charging stations available.
Daily parking rate $17.00 (January 2020).
Valet: located in Departures, on the 2nd level of both Dolphin (North) and Flamingo (South) garages.
0-3 hours: $18 (first day); 3-24 hours: $30. (January 2020)
MIA’s Cell Phone Waiting lot has 60 spaces and is located just off LeJeune Road, heading north or south.
Getting to and from Miami International Airport
Ground transportation options at Miami International Airport include car rentals, taxis/shuttles/limos and public transportation.
Car rentals at MIA: More than a dozen car rental agencies are in the MIA Car Rental Center, which is accessible via the MIA Mover, located on the 3rd level between the Dolphin and Flamingo garages.
Public transportation at MIA: Options include the Metrorail (Green and Orange lines) to a wide variety of Miami-Dade County destinations); TriRail; the Miami Beach Bus (Fare: $2.25) and other Metrobus routes.
Getting around Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport has three levels: Baggage claim is on Level 1; Departures, check-in and ticketing are on Level 2; and moving walkway between terminals are on Level 3.
Moving walkways travel from the Central Terminal to the MIA Mover Station, which connects to the Rental Car Center.
Above the North Terminal Concourse D, MIA’s Skytrain runs from one end of the concourse to the other, with 4 stations tops.
Wi-Fi at Miami International Airport
Complimentary Wi-Fi (with advertising) is available throughout MIA via the MIA-WiFi Network. Other services are available via Boingo for a fee. Power charging stations are located throughout the airport.
Relief areas at Miami International Airport for pets and services animals
For pets and service animals, MIA has enclosed areas with synthetic grass, fire hydrants, disposable bags, and sinks.
Pet/service animal relief areas at MIA are located post-security in Concourse D, F, G and J. Outdoor areas are at the arrival level in Concourse D, E, and J.
Pet therapy program at Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport’s pet therapy program, the Miami Hound Machine, brings certified dogs and their owners into the airport to de-stress and hang out with travelers. The team’s schedule and appearances are shared on the MIA’s social media accounts.
Play area for kids at Miami International Airport
Plane Fun is a unique, interactive children’s area. Located Concourse E, near Gate E5 and accessible from Concourse D as well.
Lounges at Miami International Airport
In addition to VIP clubs and lounges at MIA for American Airlines and for other airlines that welcome guests based on ticket category, membership or credit card affiliation, there is a Military Hospitality Lounge pre-security on the 2nd level of the airport, and a Club America lounge that offers days passes.
Dining at Miami International Airport
MIA has a wide variety of dining options, including venues such as Bongos Cuban Café, Café Versailles and Café La Carreta venues offering Cuban and other local and regional cuisines. Including. MIA’s restaurants, cafes, bars and grab-n-go options also include Air Margaritaville, Shula’s Bar & Grill, and Viena, the farm-to-table restaurant on the 7th floor of the Miami International Airport Hotel. See the full list of food options at MIA Airport.
Shopping at Miami International Airport
There are a wide variety of shopping options at Miami International Airport. Local and unusual shops include Bayside Brush (hairbrushes and grooming essentials), Books4Travel, Britto (Brazilian pop-artist-inspired gifts and accessories), Cuba Crafters (hand-rolled cigars), Cubavera and Havana Collection (fashion) and many shops selling Miami and Florida-themed souvenirs. Tip: My Ceviche (North Terminal, Concourse D) packs Florida Stone Crabs to go.
Quiet spaces at Miami International Airport
Travelers at Miami International Airport will find a yoga room in Terminal H.
A non-denomination chapel is located on the first level of Terminal D, between arrivals and Carousel 22. A quiet multisensory room is located on Concourse D, post-security, adjacent to TSA Checkpoint 4.
Art and exhibitions at Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport has a robust Art in Public Places program, as well as site-specific and temporary art exhibitions. Some highlights include two murals by the Brazilian artist Carybé in the South Terminal that were once displayed at the American Airlines terminal New York’s JFK Airport; Jen Stark’s “Meltdown” over the North Terminal entrance from the MIA Mover; and Christopher Janney’s 72-foot-long Harmonic Convergence in the Skyride Connector.
Vintage film clips at Miami International Airport
Historical airport footage and archival footage of celebrities such as Bob Hope arriving at Miami International Airport run continuously on the screens of a bank of old-style flight monitors on MIA’s Concourse F. The clips are from the Wolfson Moving Image at Miami Dade College and include vintage footage of MIA from 1950s and 1960s; celebrities arriving at the airport from the 1950s to the 1980s; home movies filmed in Miami between the 1920s and 1960s; and the 1940s
Other amenities at Miami International Airport
Other passenger amenities at Miami International Airport include spas, water bottle refill stations, and standalone MIAmamas pods for nursing mothers on each concourse, post-security.
Hotel at Miami International Airport
The pet-friendly Miami International Airport Hotel (MIA Hotel) is inside the airport terminal, on Concourse E, at the Departure level. Day rates are available form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Air Margaritaville is adjacent to the lobby; the Viena farm to table restaurant is on the hotel’s 7th floor.
Activities and attractions nearby Miami International Airport
Staff at the MIA Information Center on the 2nd level of Central Terminal E can offer ideas on what to do near Miami International Airport if you have a long layover between flights.
Gray Line has a shuttle running between the MIA Airport and the Dolphin Mall ($10/roundtrip, includes vouchers and discount coupons.)
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau website also offers a complete listing of attractions in the area.
Thanks for visiting Stuck at the Airport. Subscribe to get daily travel tidbits. And follow me on Twitter at @hbaskas and Instagram.