Getting around Miami Beach: roads, transit, airport, parking

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Miami Beach Getting Around page, its trolley, Freebee, water taxi and parking meter rates pages. Trolley questions: 305-673-7117.

Miami Beach sits across Biscayne Bay from the mainland, and the city runs several free ways to get around without a car: a citywide trolley, Freebee on-demand rides and a commuter water taxi to downtown Miami. Miami-Dade County runs Metrobus service, which the trolley and Freebee connect to.

Who to call

• Trolley questions, lost items: 305-673-7117
• Freebee rides: 855-918-3733, or the Ride Freebee app
• Parking permits: Parking customer service, 305-673-7505, 1755 Meridian Ave.
• Metrobus and Metrorail: Miami-Dade Transit; plan trips in the GO Miami-Dade Transit app
• Traffic and closures: FL511 or dial 511; text MBAlert to 888777 for city traffic alerts

Roads in and out

From the city’s directions:

• North Beach and Mid-Beach: Interstate 95 to Interstate 195 (the Julia Tuttle Causeway), or to the 79th Street Causeway.
• South Beach: I-95 to Interstate 395 (the MacArthur Causeway) across Biscayne Bay. I-395 becomes 5th Street; continue to the end for Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue.
• City Hall, the Convention Center and Lincoln Road: from 5th Street, turn left on Washington Avenue to 17th Street, then left. Public lots and garages are on 17th Street and on Convention Center Drive next to City Hall.

The Venetian Causeway also links Miami Beach with the mainland. Current work on Collins Avenue, 71 Street and Indian Creek Drive is on our road construction and closures page.

Free trolley

The citywide trolley runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, about every 20 minutes on each route:

• South Beach Loop
• Middle Beach Loop
• Collins Express
• North Beach Loop

Trolleys stop only at marked stops and carry two bikes each. No loud music, food or drinks on board; pets must ride in a carrier, though leashed service dogs are welcome. Track trolleys live with the city’s Trolley Tracker.

Freebee on-demand rides

Freebee gives free door-to-door rides in electric vehicles within its service area in Mid-Beach and parts of North Beach, and connects to the trolley and county buses:

Book through the Ride Freebee app, call 855-918-3733 or hail one on the street. The city suggests booking about 20 minutes ahead.

Water taxi to downtown Miami

The city’s free commuter water taxi crosses Biscayne Bay between two stops:

• Miami Beach: Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, 18 Street and Purdy Avenue
• Miami: Venetian Marina and Yacht Club (Sea Isle Marina), 1635 N. Bayshore Drive

Each boat is about 40 feet long and carries up to 55 passengers. The schedule is on the city’s water taxi page.

Bus, rail and Brightline

Miami-Dade County runs Metrobus and Metrorail; plan a trip in the GO Miami-Dade Transit app. The city’s Getting Around page also links Brightline, the intercity train, and notes it offers resident discounts.

Airports

• Miami International Airport (MIA) is about 10 miles west of Miami Beach, the city says. MIA customer service: 305-876-7000.
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is about 25 to 30 minutes north. FLL customer service: 1-866-435-9355.

Bikes and walking

The nine-mile Beachwalk runs along the ocean from South Pointe Park to 87 Street and is open 24 hours; see parks and trails. Citi Bike rental stations are part of the city’s parking and mobility network, and the city’s bicycle and pedestrian page has bike routes and parking.

Parking rules

The Parking Department runs 66 surface lots, 12 garages and 19 residential permit zones. On-street and lot meters, by zone, from the city’s meter rates page:

Registered residents pay $1 an hour in the South Beach, Entertainment District and East Middle Beach zones. Time limits vary by meter. Through Oct. 31, 2026, the city’s $1 parking promotion cuts all municipal lots, garages and street meters to $1 an hour through the ParkMobile app, for up to three hours per session and 45 hours in total.

Residential permits, garage permits and monthly permits are sold by parking customer service on the first floor of 1755 Meridian Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; call 305-673-7505. Towing and citation rules are on the city’s enforcement page.

What this means for you

• The free trolley runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Freebee starts at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays.
• Parking in the Entertainment District is enforced around the clock.
• Use the $1 ParkMobile promotion before it ends Oct. 31.
• Check FL511 before crossing the causeways at rush hour.

More: road construction and closures and moving to Miami Beach.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Miami Beach trolley free?

Yes. The citywide trolley is free and runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, about every 20 minutes on each route: the South Beach Loop, Middle Beach Loop, Collins Express and North Beach Loop.

How much is parking in Miami Beach?

On-street meters cost $4 an hour in South Beach and the Entertainment District, $3 in East Middle Beach and $1 in West Middle Beach and North Beach, with $1 resident rates in South Beach. Through Oct. 31, 2026, ParkMobile users get up to three hours per session at $1 an hour.

How far is Miami Beach from the airport?

Miami International Airport is about 10 miles west of Miami Beach, the city says. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is about 25 to 30 minutes north.

Is there a water taxi from Miami Beach to downtown Miami?

Yes. The city runs a free commuter water taxi between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, 18 Street and Purdy Avenue, and the Venetian Marina at 1635 N. Bayshore Drive in Miami.

What are Freebee’s hours in Miami Beach?

Freebee’s free on-demand rides in Mid-Beach and parts of North Beach run 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Call 855-918-3733 or use the Ride Freebee app.