FLL or MIA for South Beach is one of the first questions on a Miami trip. Both airports serve the area well, but they sit at very different distances from the beach, and the drive can change how the first afternoon of your holiday feels.
FLL or MIA for South Beach: the drive
Miami International Airport is about 12 miles west of South Beach. In normal traffic the drive takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, straight across one of the causeways.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is around 30 miles north. The drive usually takes 40 to 60 minutes along I-95 or the coast, and weekday rush hours can stretch it further.
| Miami International (MIA) | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to South Beach | About 12 miles | About 30 miles |
| Typical drive | 20–30 minutes | 40–60 minutes |
| Busiest stretch | The causeways at rush hour | I-95 at rush hour |
When flying into FLL makes sense
FLL is sometimes the better choice for the flight itself. Fares can be lower, and a direct flight into Fort Lauderdale beats a connection into Miami for many travellers.
FLL is also the natural choice if any part of your trip is in Broward County. A few nights in Fort Lauderdale before South Beach turns the longer airport drive into a short one.
When MIA is the better choice
For a stay centred on South Beach, MIA is usually simpler. The drive is shorter, and late arrivals reach the hotel sooner, which matters after a long-haul flight.
Chauffeur tip — Compare the full door-to-door time, not just the flight. A cheaper ticket into FLL that lands at rush hour can add an hour to your evening.
A chauffeur from either airport
Whichever airport you choose, your chauffeur tracks your flight and meets you on arrival, so a delay never leaves you waiting for a car. Our MIA and FLL airport pages explain the pickup at each one.
Booking your airport transfer to South Beach
Send your flight number, the number of travellers and your hotel, and we reply with a flat rate in writing, usually within the hour. Book the drive back to the airport in the same request.
