Getting Around Miami Without a Car

Very doable if you base yourself right. The free stuff covers a lot: Metromover in downtown/Brickell, free trolleys in both Miami and Miami Beach. Metrorail and Metrobus are $2.25 a ride (tap a contactless card, fares cap at $5.65/day). Fill gaps with rideshare and Citi Bike. Where you'll miss a car: Everglades, the Keys, and scattered suburbs.

Key facts

What locals actually do here

• Go carless in the city, then rent a car for exactly one day for the Everglades or Keys.

  A one-day rental (often cheaper from a neighborhood location than the airport) costs less than two days of hotel parking. You skip $50/night parking all week and still get your Shark Valley or Islamorada run.

  Verified Jul 2026

• Use one contactless card for all transit taps so the $5.65 daily fare cap kicks in automatically.

  Tap the same card or phone wallet on every Metrorail gate and bus farebox; after your third ride the system stops charging you for the day. No EASY Card, no app, no math — just don't alternate between your phone and physical card, which the system treats as two riders.

  Verified Jul 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is the Metrorail useful for tourists?

Situationally. It's great for the airport (Orange Line from MIA to downtown, $2.25), Vizcaya, Coconut Grove, and connecting to the Metromover at Government Center. It does not go to the beach, Wynwood, or Little Havana — that's trolleys, buses, and rideshares territory.

How do I get from downtown Miami to South Beach by public transit?

The Metrobus 119 (the 'S') runs from downtown across the Julia Tuttle Causeway and down Collins Avenue through Miami Beach — $2.25, tap to pay. Budget 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. A rideshare does it in 15-25 minutes for $15-25. There's no train across the bay.

How late does public transit run in Miami?

Metrorail runs roughly 5 a.m. to midnight, Metromover about the same, and Miami Beach trolleys stop around 11 p.m. Late-night is rideshare territory — and the good news is short hops within South Beach or within Brickell are cheap. Factor that into your night-out budget rather than trying to catch a last train.

How do I pay for Miami public transit?

Just tap a contactless credit/debit card or your phone's wallet at Metrorail fare gates and Metrobus fareboxes — $2.25 per ride, no ticket needed. Fares cap at $5.65/day (the 1-Day Pass price) on the same card, and bus-to-bus transfers are free within 3 hours. EASY Cards still exist but tourists don't need one.

Can you visit Miami without renting a car?

Yes — and if you're staying in South Beach, Brickell, or downtown, a car is actually a liability ($40-60/night hotel parking, brutal traffic). Free trolleys plus the Metromover, $2.25 buses/trains, rideshares, and Citi Bike cover the visitor core. Rent a car for one day only if you're doing the Everglades or the Keys.

What's free to ride in Miami?

Three systems: the Metromover (elevated loops through downtown and Brickell, ~5 a.m. to midnight), the City of Miami trolleys (Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana, Coral Way and more), and the Miami Beach trolleys (South/Mid/North Beach loops, roughly 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily). All completely free, no ticket, just board.

What is Brightline and when should I use it?

Brightline is the fast intercity train from MiamiCentral (downtown) to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca, West Palm Beach, and on to Orlando. Use it for day trips up the coast or as your airport alternative if flying into FLL — it beats I-95 traffic every time. It's not a commuter option within Miami itself.

Is Citi Bike or scooters a good way to get around Miami Beach?

Citi Bike Miami has stations all over Miami Beach and the mainland core, and the flat beachwalk from South Pointe to Mid-Beach is one of the best rides in the city. Note that Miami Beach heavily restricts rental e-scooters, so don't count on scooter-share on the island. Always lock to a station — bikes vanish otherwise.