Last updated October 13, 2026
Miami’s public transit is built around Metrorail, a two-line elevated train, and Metrobus, plus Metromover, a free driverless people mover downtown. A Metrorail or Metrobus ride costs $2.25 until January 1, 2027, when it rises to $2.75, and if you tap the same card or phone, what you pay in a day is capped. Transit works well along a few corridors, including downtown, Brickell, Coral Gables and the airport, but most of Miami-Dade County is built around the car, so check your commute before you sign a lease.
What are Miami’s main transit options?
| Option | What it is | One-way fare |
|---|---|---|
| Metrorail | Elevated train, 2 lines, 23 stations | $2.25 |
| Metrobus | Countywide bus network, some routes 24 hours | $2.25 |
| Metromover | Driverless people mover looping downtown, Brickell and Omni | Free |
| City trolleys | Circulators run by the City of Miami, Miami Beach and other cities | Free |
| Freebee | On-demand electric rides in downtown, Brickell and some other areas | Free |
| Tri-Rail | Commuter rail north to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach | $6 to $20 by zone |
| Brightline | Premium intercity train to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando | Varies |
How does Metrorail work?
Metrorail runs on about 25 miles of elevated track with two lines that share most of their route:
- Green Line: Palmetto, in the northwest, to Dadeland South, in the south.
- Orange Line: Miami International Airport to Dadeland South. It shares the Green Line’s tracks south of Earlington Heights, then branches off to the airport.
The stations newcomers use most are Government Center (downtown, with a free transfer to Metromover), Brickell, University (near the University of Miami in Coral Gables) and Dadeland. If you board a Green Line train north of Earlington Heights and want the airport, change to an Orange Line train there. Check live arrivals in the GO Miami-Dade Transit app.
What is the Metromover?
Metromover is a free, driverless elevated train covering about 4.4 miles and 21 stations on three loops: the Inner Loop around downtown, the Brickell Loop and the Omni Loop toward Edgewater. It connects with Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell. If you live and work in this area, you may not need any other transit.
Metromover has been free for decades, but that may change: after approving the 2027 fare increase, county leaders said a proposal to charge for Metromover could follow. We’ll update this article if it does.
How do you pay for transit in Miami?
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet at the fare gate or bus farebox. This is the easiest option for newcomers.
- Use an EASY Card, the county’s reloadable transit card, sold at Metrorail stations and online.
- Buy mobile passes in the GO Miami-Dade Transit app.
When you tap the same EASY Card or bank card all day, the county caps your spending at the price of a 1-Day Pass, $5.65. Current pass prices are $29.25 for 7 days and $112.50 for a month; pass prices may change when the base fare rises in January 2027. Paying by card also gets you discounted transfers. Buses take exact cash, but cash riders pay the full fare every time.
Discounted fares are available for seniors, students, veterans and people with disabilities, and Miami-Dade residents earning under $20,385 a year may ride Metrobus and Metrorail free with a Transit Mobility EASY Card.
What changes in January 2027?
In October 2026, Miami-Dade commissioners voted 9-4 to raise the standard Metrorail and Metrobus fare from $2.25 to $2.75 starting January 1, 2027. It’s the first increase in 13 years. The county expects it to raise about $9.2 million and keep 13 bus routes that were set to be cut. For someone who rides twice every workday, the increase adds roughly $250 a year.
How do you get to the airport by transit?
- Miami International Airport (MIA): take the Metrorail Orange Line to the end of the line at the Miami Intermodal Center, which also serves Tri-Rail and many bus routes. A free airport train carries you from there to the terminals.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL): take Tri-Rail to the Fort Lauderdale Airport station, then the free Tri-Rail shuttle to the terminals.
How do you get to Fort Lauderdale and beyond?
Tri-Rail is the budget choice. It’s a commuter train running north through Broward and Palm Beach counties, with fares set by zones. After a 10% increase on October 1, 2026, one-way fares range from $6 to $20, and a $5 weekend fare is still available. Tri-Rail fares and Miami-Dade passes are separate, though a Regional Monthly Pass covers both.
Brightline is faster and pricier. Its trains leave from MiamiCentral downtown and stop in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach before continuing to Orlando. Fares vary by time and seat class.
Can you get around Miami without a car?
In a few neighborhoods, yes. Downtown, Brickell and Edgewater have Metromover, Metrorail, free trolleys and Freebee, and many residents there live car-free. Neighborhoods near a Metrorail station, such as around Coral Gables, Dadeland or Coconut Grove, can work for commuting downtown. Most other areas, including much of Miami Beach and the western suburbs, are hard to manage without a car. See Moving to Miami? Start here for the big picture.
Frequently asked questions about Miami public transit
How much is a Metrorail ride in Miami?
$2.25 one way, rising to $2.75 on January 1, 2027. Tapping the same card or phone caps your daily spending at $5.65.
Is the Metromover free?
Yes. Metromover is free, though county leaders have discussed charging for it in the future.
Does Metrorail go to Miami International Airport?
Yes. The Orange Line runs from Dadeland South to the airport. Green Line trains don’t go there, so change to the Orange Line at Earlington Heights.
Can you pay for Miami transit with your phone?
Yes. Metrorail and Metrobus accept contactless bank cards and phone wallets, and the GO Miami-Dade Transit app sells mobile passes.
Sources
- 2027 fare increase: WLRN (October 2026); Mass Transit; CubaHeadlines, citing the Miami Herald
- Possible Metromover charge: The Cool Down, citing WSVN
- Payment options, daily cap and Mobility EASY Card: Miami-Dade County, Transit Fares
- Pass prices: Miami-Dade County schedule of transit fares (unchanged since 2013)
- Metrorail and Metromover lines and stations: Miami Metrorail map
- Airport connections: Can you get to the airport in Miami or Fort Lauderdale without a car?
- Tri-Rail fares: Mass Transit, citing the Sun-Sentinel (September 2026)
- City of Miami trolley: City of Miami
- Freebee in downtown Miami: Miami Today (April 2026)
