Hi everyone, our cruise gets into the Miami port at 6:30 am, and we’re thinking about booking a flight at 12:00 pm. Is this doable? Is the traffic usually bad? Do you think we’ll make it in time for the flight? Thanks for your advice!
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Hi everyone, our cruise gets into the Miami port at 6:30 am, and we’re thinking about booking a flight at 12:00 pm. Is this doable? Is the traffic usually bad? Do you think we’ll make it in time for the flight? Thanks for your advice!
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Take a cab instead of waiting for an Uber or Lyft. Cabs are usually ready and waiting, and you avoid the risk of a driver canceling on you.
Charlie said:
Take a cab instead of waiting for an Uber or Lyft. Cabs are usually ready and waiting, and you avoid the risk of a driver canceling on you.
Yeah, Uber drivers can sometimes not even accept your request. It’s happened to me before. Cabs are a safer bet.
Traffic leaving the port isn’t too bad. There are usually plenty of taxis lined up, and it’s around $30 to get from PortMiami to the airport.
Casey said:
Traffic leaving the port isn’t too bad. There are usually plenty of taxis lined up, and it’s around $30 to get from PortMiami to the airport.
I just did this recently, and a regular taxi to the airport cost me $42 because they run the meter. Larger vehicles like minivans cost even more, so avoid those unless you’re with a group and have lots of luggage. Ubers were around $50 at the time, so a cab was cheaper.
If you have a passport, getting through customs is super quick since they use facial recognition. You’ll likely be off the ship by 8:00 or 8:30, leaving plenty of time to catch your flight. Which cruise line are you on?
@Sullivan
We paid $50 for a ride last month, but we had three people and a scooter. It might’ve been a bigger vehicle like a Tahoe.
@Sullivan
We’re cruising with Virgin!
You’ll have enough time. Traffic going in that direction isn’t bad in the morning.
Is your flight domestic or international? That makes a difference.
Good luck! Things rarely go as planned in Miami. Be ready to get in line early for disembarkation, especially if you’re carrying your own bags. It’s not the port arrival time that matters—it’s how long customs takes to clear the ship.
You’ll be fine as long as you do self-departure. It’s easy to grab a Lyft, which is usually cheaper than Uber.
Just keep in mind that arriving in port doesn’t mean you’re getting off the ship right away. Most cruise lines suggest booking flights no earlier than noon. If you don’t follow their guidelines and miss your flight, travel insurance might not cover you.
You’ll have lots of time for a noon flight. I always carry my own luggage off the ship so I can leave early. Even if you wait, you should be at the airport in plenty of time. I like to be at the airport three hours early, and I’d still book that flight without hesitation.
Keep the ship size in mind. Larger ships like Icon of the Seas can be a hassle with so many passengers. Last time, we tried getting a Lyft four times, but drivers kept canceling on us. It was frustrating.
@Dale
That’s why cabs are better. They’re right there, no waiting or cancellations.
Bin said:
@Dale
That’s why cabs are better. They’re right there, no waiting or cancellations.
Wish someone had told me that before!
I just did this recently on the NCL Joy. We carried our own luggage and were in line by 7:15 am. Customs was super quick thanks to facial recognition, and we were at the airport by 9:00 am at the latest. Your timeline looks fine to me.