Best Place To Stay In Miami (Without A Car)
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We recently spent three incredible nights in the city of Miami, Florida and decided against hiring a car during our trip. As a result, we wanted to stay somewhere that was walkable with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and attractions nearby.
In the end, we chose to stay in Miami Beach during our three-night trip to Miami (without a car) since we were travelling with our toddler and therefore wanted to be close to a beach and stay somewhere with a swimming pool.
However, had we been travelling as a couple or looking for more of a city break then we’d have likely stayed in either Brickell or Downtown Miami as both of these locations are walkable and have a public transport network.
Miami Beach
If you’re looking to spend the majority of your time in Miami relaxing around the pool, drinking in beach bars or sunbathing on the sand then you’ll want to stay in Miami Beach.
This iconic district is famed for its Art Deco architecture, dynamic nightlife, luxury boutiques, and of course, its white sandy beaches. It’s the perfect place for those who enjoy a lively atmosphere and have a taste for the finer things in life.
The most popular area of Miami Beach is the famous South Beach which unsurprisingly runs along the southern coastline of the island adjacent to the world-renowned Ocean Drive.
This area is roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive from Miami International Airport and a 10 to 20-minute drive from the Port of Miami. We found the rideshare services Uber and Lyft to be both affordable and convenient for travelling to both locations and other popular attractions in the city including Little Havana and the Miami Children’s Museum.
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Loews Miami Beach Hotel
The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is a four-star property (I still can’t believe four, not five stars) in a prominent location in the heart of Miami Beach.
Meanwhile, within walking distance of hotels in South Beach you have;
- Lincoln Road
- Española Way
- Time Out Market
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden
- South Pointe Park Pier
- Miami Beach Marina
- Miami Convention Center
Brickell
Dubbed Miami’s “Manhattan of the South”. This residential area situated just south of downtown is characterised by its high-rise buildings, swanky restaurants, luxury shops, and nightlife that buzzes with energy.
While Miami Beach boasts hotels and resorts, Brickell offers self-service apartments and condos. Swimming pools at hotels here are significantly more limited and often found on the rooftop given the limited space.
Brickell is situated just 10 miles from Miami International Airport and within a 15-minute drive of the Port of Miami which makes rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft easy and affordable. However, Brickell also benefits from a public transport network (something that’s significantly more limited in Miami Beach) which makes getting around cheaper – especially for solo travellers.
If you’re planning on staying in Miami prior to a cruise then consider staying in a hotel that offers a shuttle to the Port of Miami.
You’ll typically find fewer families staying in Brickell, instead, this region is popular with couples looking to enjoy brunch at some of the fantastic coffee shops here or shopping enthusiasts looking to enjoy retail therapy at Brickell City Centre.
Within walking distance of Brickell you have;
- Mary Brickell Village
- Bayfront Park
- Museum Park
- Miami Riverwalk
- Miami Circle
- Brickell Key
- Miami Avenue
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- American Airlines Arena
How Much Does An Uber & Lyft Cost In Miami?
Rideshare services Uber and Lyft operate in Miami and cars are readily available on both platforms in abundance. Both of these companies operate on a dynamic pricing model which means that the price of a journey will vary depending on the demand on the platform, and the traffic in real-time.
However, the traffic and demand for rideshare services isn’t the only thing that will see the estimated cost of your journey fluctuate. Some other costs to consider are;
- Size of the vehicle required
- Type of vehicle required
- Distance & duration of the journey
- Tolls & fees
- Tip
As a result, you’ll often find a disparity in the price between Uber and Lyft for the same journey at the same time. For this reason, I highly suggest having both apps downloaded and set up on your phone so you can switch between the two to compare pricing.
Get $15 off your first Lyft ride by using code: CORA86601
When it comes to the average cost of popular journeys, here’s roughly how much you’ll be looking to pay based on a vehicle that seats four people.
| From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Airport (MIA) | Brickell | $25 |
| Miami Airport (MIA) | South Beach | $30 |
| Miami Airport (MIA) | Little Havana | $20 |
| Miami Airport (MIA) | Port of Miami | $25 |
| Brickell | Port of Miami | $15 |
| South Beach | Port of Miami | $15 |
| Brickell | South Beach | $20 |
During our three-night trip to Miami, we spent $123.17 on a total of 10 Uber and Lyft journeys including tips at an average of 18% with the most expensive journey being from Miami International Airport (MIA) to our hotel, Loews Miami Beach in South Beach which was a total of $27.52.
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Thanks for stopping by! Do you have experience with this trip or want to share some of your own tips? We’d love to hear about it! Comment below and let’s chat!