MIAAirport Guide

Art Basel Miami Beach: arriving and getting across

Art Basel Miami Beach fills the Miami Beach Convention Center in early December. The $2.25 bus from MIA, the free Art Week water taxi and shuttles the city ran most recently, and parking.

Biscayne Bay and the downtown skyline from the Julia Tuttle Causeway
Biscayne Bay from the Julia Tuttle Causeway

Take the Miami Beach bus from the airport, then look for the free Art Week water taxi and shuttles once you’re over the bay. Art Basel Miami Beach fills the Miami Beach Convention Center in early December. By car, three causeways cross to the beach: I-395 (the MacArthur), I-195 (the Julia Tuttle) and the Venetian.

Getting from MIA to Miami Beach

Option Cost Good to know
Miami Beach bus, Route 150 $2.25 each way, every 30 minutes Leaves the MIA Metrorail station, a free MIA Mover ride from the terminal’s 3rd level. It runs through Miami Beach from 41st Street to South Pointe Drive, and the bus has luggage racks.
Taxi On the meter, from $2.95 for the first 1/6 mile, plus a $2.00 airport fee and a $15 minimum Taxi stands are at the arrivals-level curb outside baggage claim. The meter adds $0.40 for every minute you wait in causeway traffic.
Ride app The app shows the price before you confirm Pickup is on Level 1 or Level 2, at the zone and door your app shows

Our Route 150 page has the bus hours, our taxi page has the full meter rates, and our ride app page walks you to the pickup median.

During Art Week, water taxis and shuttles are free

Over on the beach side, the most recent Art Week brought a free water taxi across the bay to Miami, laid on by the City of Miami Beach. Free shuttles met it and carried people on to the fairs, from the Convention Center around Miami and up to the Miami Design District. Art Basel’s getting-to-the-show page plots each route, so check it for the year you’re going. Around the beach itself, the city’s free trolley also stops at the Convention Center. Coming straight from the airport to the Design District instead? Our guide to Wynwood and the Design District from MIA has that ride.

If you drive, the Convention Center garage charges a $20 flat fee on its uncovered 4th and 5th levels. Valet parking is on the west side of the building and at the North Lobby on the northeast corner, Washington Avenue at 21st Street. For traffic alerts on your phone, Art Basel suggests texting MBTRAFFIC to 888-777.

Sleeping near MIA and flying home

An airport hotel suits a late landing or an early flight home, and Miami Beach suits a stay that’s all about the fair. Our guide to Miami Beach versus staying near the airport compares the distances and fares, and our hotel directory lists the in-terminal hotel and the hotels with airport shuttles.

For the flight home, our guide to how early to arrive at MIA gives the checkpoint hours for your concourse. Returning a car to an airport garage? Our parking guide lists each garage and its rate.

Sources