Traveling to Miami

If you’re traveling to Miami, be ready for a city that runs inefficiently. There has been a lot of migration to Miami from other colder Eastern cities in the past decade and the aging infrastructure of the town is struggling to keep up. Knowing how to navigate and get around these inefficiencies may be crucial to how much you enjoy your trip to loanDepot Park and Miami. 

You will likely be flying into the city as Miami is a long drive from just about everywhere, but knowing which airport to fly into and when to arrive/depart should help your trip immensely.

This chapter of our Stadium Guide will focus primarily on getting to Miami/South Florida. For more information on getting around town (which can be difficult), read on in the Local Transit chapter of this guide.

Flying to Miami

Miami is a city you fly into. It just is. Unless you are traveling from neighboring Florida cities, your first experience of South Florida will probably be the airport. Also, because South Florida is a popular connection spot for flights from the States to tropical destinations, there are direct flights from just about every major city. But which airport should you choose?

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the favorite choice for us because it is so conveniently located for a baseball visit. MIA is a mere five miles from loanDepot Park, and Highway FL-836 blazes a straight path between the two. Without traffic, the drive can be less than 15 minutes, or a split-second in Miami traffic terms. MIA is also the closest airport to many of our recommended lodging areas, such as Downtown Miami (7 miles), Coral Gables (less than 5 miles), and South Beach (around 12 miles). We recommend getting a rental car once you arrive to make these drives, but rideshare is a viable option as well.

However, Miami’s airport is notorious for being poorly managed. Though most trips will go well, you should allow time for the possibility of standstill traffic at the departures drop-off, extensive wait times through security, and a long walk to your gate. You should consider allowing a full two hours prior to your flight’s takeoff to ensure there are no travel disasters. The airport itself is also dated and dirty in spots with more limited (and expensive) food options than you’d think. Also, know that flights out of South Florida — especially in the summer — will often be delayed due to nearly daily afternoon thunderstorms. These are usually quick delays but can make the difference in a quick transfer for non-direct flights.

Still, the location makes MIA the best choice for baseball fans. And, if you’re planning on catching a Sunday 1:40pm game, this is the airport you most likely need to choose. Again, though, allow plenty of time for trouble at the airport. Even with the quick drive, any flight before 7pm will be risky, as you may also face substantial wait times returning your rental car if that is the transportation option you chose.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Though it is much further away, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport (FLL) is certainly a viable option. In fact, a Google search of “flights to Miami” will bring up both airports, as they are often seen as interchangeable. If you choose to stay in the Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood/Aventura areas, a flight into FLL makes great sense. 

Getting to loanDepot Park from FLL usually requires a rental car and some patience. The drive is about 25 miles on a segment of I-95 that is regularly riddled with traffic. The trip can take anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour and 35 minutes, depending on time of day or accident lane closures. As such, avoid a flight that arrives into FLL from 3:30-6:30 to stay out of rush hour traffic if you’re planning on attending a game that evening (or would just prefer to not spend your time sitting in traffic).

The good news here is that FLL is a very pleasant airport to fly in and out of. It’s clean, well-updated, and has invested in smooth and easy security processes, making it the preferred airport of many locals. It also may have cheaper flights than MIA, depending on the airline. So, if you’re willing to build time into your schedule for getting there, FLL is a great choice.

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Though Palm Beach’s airport also serves South Florida, we do not recommend it for a trip to see the Marlins. It is just too far away (70 miles) and too inconvenient to be a reasonable option, and the chances of getting a better flight deal into PBI are usually pretty low. So unless you’ve got specific plans that involve you being in Palm Beach County, stick to MIA or FLL.

Driving to Miami

Unless you live elsewhere in Florida, driving all the way to the far southeastern tip of the country is probably not your most efficient choice. But if a road trip is what you’re after, here’s what you need to know. 

loanDepot Park is nestled just south of FL-836 and southwest of the FL-836/I-95 interchange in Overtown. Aside from the traffic concerns, this spot makes it pretty easy to get to. Miami is also a city that requires car travel to get around, so by taking your own car on the trip you will avoid spending money on a rental car or rideshare fees.

Getting to Miami by train

You very likely won’t be trying to take a train to Miami, but it’s worth mentioning that it’s an option available to you… if you’re from Orlando. Despite the limited options, the Downtown Miami Brightline stop is actually incredibly convenient and quite safe. It is a 15-minute rideshare away from the ballpark at peak traffic and any downtown lodging will be nearby as well. Even if you’re staying in Coral Gables or Coconut Grove, transportation to your hotel will be relatively easy, either through rideshare or the MetroRail.

Brightline prices can vary, so check their prices and see if it’s cheaper to fly.

Bottom Line

Miami is a pretty straightforward place to get to. If you’re flying here, Miami International Airport will be the fastest and easiest airport to get to and from loanDepot. Ft. Lauderdale is a nicer airport, but it’s 25 miles away and the traffic can be a big issue. But if it works better for you, then it’s a completely viable option.