Port of Miami. Credit: Wikimedia

The Miami cruise port has often been named the busiest in the world thanks to its convenient location.

This major city on the east coast of Florida has easy access to both the Bahama islands and the entire Caribbean.

Visitors from the U.S., Canada and Europe often fly into the Miami International Airport and take a quick taxi over to the cruise terminals. They are located only eight miles away.

PortMiami, also known as the Port of Miami, has seven of them. We were pleasantly surprised at how quickly we reached the port in such a big city after landing at the airport. It is worth noting that rush hour may slow the traffic time.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors who arrive early enough or stay overnight may have a chance to take advantage of nearby tourist attractions.

Miami Beach is less than a half hour away from the airport and cruise port. Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons license

Miami Beach is the best known beach in the area. It is 13 miles or about 23 minutes by car from the airport.

Cultural attractions in the city of Miami include Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard; HistoryMiami, a city history museum at 101 W Flagler Street; and Miami Art Museum, 1103 Biscayne Boulevard.

Bayside is a dining, shopping and entertainment district at R106, 401 Biscayne Boulevard. Families may have an interest in the Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Causeway, or the Jungle Island nature preserve, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail.

Outdoor enthusiasts can visit various attractions near the Everglades along Route 41 including the Everglades Safari Park, which is 26 miles or about 35 minutes by car. Miccosukee Indian Village and Mitchell Landing Big Cypress National Preserve lie just to the west of it.

Anyone with a little more time and a rental car can take a 55-minute ride south to Everglades National Park. Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is the closest visitor center.

Finally, people with even more time on their hands can take Route 1 south to the Florida Keys. The largest and closest key is Key Largo, which is 63 miles or an hour and 15 minutes.

Location and Directions

The address for PortMiami is 1015 North America Way, Miami, Florida, 33132.

Visitors who drive will find that major highways have direct access to the Port Miami Tunnel that leads into the port:

Anyone taking I-95 south toward Miami should take the eastbound I-395 ramp at Miami Beach. Keep going on I-395 East until reaching the tunnel entrance on the left.

People taking I-95 north toward Miami should go to the Eastbound I-395 ramp at Miami Beach. Continue on I-395 East and the MacArthur Causeway and stay alert for signs signaling the tunnel entrance on the left.

Visitors driving from the south should go on SR-826 North to SR-836 East, then head east on SR-836 to I-395 East (Miami Beach). Keep going on I-395 East/MacArthur Causeway and until reaching the tunnel entrance on the left.

People who arrive by taxi, limousine or shuttle bus will be able to get out in front of their terminal. Drive-in passengers can park at the port.

Parking

Taxis that go from the airport to the cruise terminals have a flat rate of $24. For overnight parking, plan to pay $20 per night.

Note that these prices are subject to change. The garages take major credit cards, but they do not accept debit cards.

Another option for visitors is the Metrorail Orange Line. It goes from the airport to the terminals in about a half hour.