MIAAirport Guide

Taxi fare from Miami airport to the cruise port

A taxi from MIA to PortMiami runs on the meter: about $30 to $36 for the 7 to 9 miles, plus tolls and waiting. Where to find a cab and how to compare a ride app.

Royal palms along the MacArthur Causeway road beside Biscayne Bay
MacArthur Causeway

A taxi from MIA to PortMiami runs on the meter, and the fare comes to about $30 to $36. Miami-Dade County has scrapped its flat fares: its taxicab rules say the meter applies to all trips, with a $15 minimum from MIA. PortMiami puts the trip at 7.1 miles and MIA’s own figure is about 9. Waiting time and tolls come on top. You may still see a $27 flat fare on older pages, including one county page. Expect the meter.

What the meter charges

Our taxi page lists MIA’s rates: $2.95 for the first sixth of a mile, $0.85 for each further sixth up to a mile, then $0.55 for each sixth of a mile after that. Waiting or slow traffic costs $0.40 a minute, and there’s a $2 airport fee. Tolls are added at the SunPass rate.

The fare is for the cab, not per person. Miami-Dade says there’s no charge per passenger or per bag. An SUV or van adds a 30 percent surcharge to the meter and must show a surcharge decal inside. The surcharge doesn’t apply to a wheelchair-accessible cab carrying a wheelchair user. Tipping is optional but customary. Our guide to MIA taxi fares has estimates to other destinations.

Taxi, ride app or cruise transfer?

With two or more people, the taxi usually wins, because one meter fare covers the whole cab and you don’t book ahead. A ride app shows its price before you confirm, so you can set it against the meter estimate before you tap. Ride apps pick up on Level 1 or Level 2, at the door your app shows, and our ride app guide covers that pickup.

A cruise-line transfer is priced per person. Carnival’s own listing starts at $22.99 each, hourly from MIA between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on cruise day. If you’re traveling alone, that beats the meter estimate. Two people on it pay more than one cab.

From baggage claim to your ship

For a taxi, leave baggage claim on the arrivals ground level and go to the designated taxi stand at the lower curb. MIA says uniformed airport staff can help there. Tell the attendant or driver you’re going to PortMiami and give the ship or terminal shown in your cruise documents. Ask the driver to start the meter as you leave. You don’t need a taxi reservation for a trip starting at MIA.

MIA calls soliciting rides inside the terminal illegal and warns that the people doing it may be unlicensed or uninsured. Walk past them to the stand. If you need help, look for an airport employee with an MIA ID badge.

If you’ve already bought a cruise-line transfer, use that booking instead of joining the taxi line. MIA places pre-arranged cruise transport at the North bus station by Concourse D, level 1, Door 1, or the South bus station by Concourse J, level 1, Door 33. Your booking says which door, and our cruise transfer guide covers both.

If the fare looks wrong

Ask the driver to explain the meter and any added charge before you pay. The county says the cab should display its license number outside and the driver’s picture and registration number on the dashboard. Keep the receipt and those details if you need to report a taxi problem. If you’re seeking a full or partial refund for an overcharge, use the county’s for-hire transportation complaint form.

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