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Miami International Airport Car Rentals | AirportVanRental

08/03/2025 – 08/06/2025

Why rent a car at Miami Internation Airport

Miami International makes renting easy thanks to its Rental Car Center (RCC), a one-stop facility housing most major rental brands. To get your ideal car, use our search above: select Miami Intl Airport and your dates to instantly compare deals from rental companies at MIA. Whether you need a compact car for zipping around the city, a convertible to soak up the sun on Ocean Drive, or an SUV for a family trip, you’ll see all the options in one place. Filter by car type, brand, or price to narrow it down. Booking is straightforward and flexible: reserve now (no prepayment needed for most offers) and cancel free if your plans change. Once confirmed, your rental is guaranteed, just arrive at MIA, hop on the MIA Mover train to the Rental Car Center, and pick up your keys!

Welcome to Miami, Florida, Bienvenido a Miami! If you’re flying into Miami International Airport (MIA), renting a car is your gateway to exploring South Florida’s diverse attractions. From the trendy streets of South Beach and Wynwood’s murals to the natural beauty of the Everglades or a road trip down to Key West, a rental car lets you do it all on your schedule. This guide will walk you through getting a car at MIA and offer tips to make your Miami car rental experience as breezy as an ocean drive. With AirportVanRental, you’ll enjoy great low rates (often from $19/day), plus the peace of mind of free cancellations and upfront pricing, so you can cruise Miami’s highways and causeways without a care.

Miami (MIA) Car Rental Quick Info:

  • Rental Car Center Location: All on-airport rental companies are housed in the Miami Rental Car Center, connected to the terminals by the MIA Mover tram. No need for multiple shuttles, it’s one centralized facility for easy pick-up and drop-off.
  • Vehicles Available: Everything under the sun! Economy and Compact cars (perfect for city driving), Mid-size and Full-size cars (comfortable for longer drives to the Keys or Orlando), tons of SUVs (from small crossovers to 7-seaters), Minivans/passenger vans for groups, Luxury sedans, and of course convertibles (Mustang or Camaro, anyone?) to enjoy Miami’s sunshine. You’ll also find some specialty cars and exotics in Miami if you’re splurging.
  • Major Rental Brands:Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty, Sixt and more are all at MIA. In total, about 19 companies operate at Miami Airport, including some international and local brands. This means plenty of competition and often great rates for you.

Tips for Renting a Car at Miami International

  • Getting to the Rental Car Center: After you land and collect your baggage, follow the signs for “MIA Mover/Rental Car Center.” MIA has a free automated people-mover train (the MIA Mover) that runs from the terminal to the RCC. It’s a short ride (around 3-5 minutes) and operates 24/7. The train station is accessible via moving walkways from baggage claim, just keep an eye out for the blue MIA Mover signs. Once you board, it will take you directly to the Rental Car Center station. From there, you’ll go down to the customer service lobby where all the rental counters are lined up. It’s very efficient and beats having separate shuttle buses for each company.
  • Picking Up Your Car at the RCC: In the Rental Car Center, head to your rental company’s counter (or if you have skip-the-line membership like Hertz Gold or similar, follow their instructions, which might be to go straight to the garage level). The staff will handle your paperwork and then direct you to the garage to pick out or locate your car. The RCC is a multi-level parking garage structure; each company has designated areas. It’s well-marked and there are plenty of elevators. Overall, from stepping off the plane to driving out, give yourself maybe 30-45 minutes on average, longer if it’s peak time and there are lines, shorter if you’re lucky or have elite status. Miami’s rental center is busy, but it’s designed to handle a large volume of travelers smoothly.
  • Off-Site Rentals: A few smaller companies aren’t in the RCC and use shuttles (for example, some local car rental or specialty exotic car rentals). If you happen to book with an off-site company, you’ll need to take their shuttle from the RCC. (They pick up passengers outside the RCC, which you reach by walking out of the lobby). But if convenience matters, stick to the on-site ones, we clearly indicate which those are when you book.
  • Language and Service: Miami is a bilingual city (English & Spanish). At the rental center, you’ll find plenty of agents who speak Spanish if you’re more comfortable with that. Also, many staff speak Portuguese due to many Brazilian travelers. So feel free to communicate in the language you prefer; service is generally warm and friendly, true to Miami’s international vibe.
  • Driving Out of MIA: When you exit the Rental Car Center in your vehicle, you’ll be funneled onto NW 25th Street, which connects to major arteries like LeJeune Road (NW 42nd Ave) and from there to the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) or Palmetto Expressway (SR 826). Don’t worry, there are plenty of signs for all the major directions (Miami Beach, Downtown, I-95 north/south, etc.). It can feel a bit hectic as you leave, Miami drivers are known to be… let’s say assertive. Stay calm, use your GPS navigation, and you’ll be fine. Quick tip: as you exit, immediately get into the appropriate lane if you know you need to enter an expressway; traffic moves fast around the airport feeder roads.
  • Tolls in South Florida: Miami has numerous toll roads and express lanes (like on I-95 and SR 836). Most of these are cashless tolls, meaning you can’t pay cash, they photograph the license plate. Your rental car will almost certainly come with toll coverage options. The most common is they automatically enroll you in a program where each toll you incur will be charged to your card on file, plus a small daily fee for any day you use a toll (e.g., ~$3-5/day). Given the prevalence of tolls (even the causeways to Miami Beach have tolls, and the Florida Turnpike does too), it’s usually worth it to opt-in or just drive through and accept the fee. You can avoid some tolls by taking side roads, but often at the cost of time and traffic. If you have your own SunPass portable device, you could use it in the rental, just check with the rental company to avoid double billing. We’ll provide info on the toll policy of each company when you book. The convenience of zooming through the toll plaza is especially nice in Miami’s sometimes heavy traffic.
  • Where to Fuel Up: If you need to refill before returning the car, note that there’s a gas station right by the Rental Car Center on NW 25th Street (EZ Gas Station, etc.) which is very convenient. However, prices there can be higher due to location. If you drive just a bit further west on NW 25th or on LeJeune Road, you’ll find cheaper options (for instance, a Shell and a 7-Eleven gas station on NW 37th Ave about a mile away often have better rates). Plan ahead, because missing the last gas station and entering the rental return means you’ll likely pay the rental company’s high per-gallon price. It’s a short loop around if you miss it, but Miami traffic near the airport can make U-turns time-consuming. Easiest strategy: fill up when you’re within 5-10 miles from the airport, then top-off if needed right next to the RCC for convenience.
  • Miami Traffic Considerations: Driving in Miami is an experience. Be prepared for aggressive lane changes around the city. Always use your signals (even if others don’t) and stay alert. Rush hour can be heavy on all major highways (weekday mornings 7:30-9:30 AM heading into downtown and evenings 4:00-7:00 PM heading away from downtown). If you’re going to South Beach from the airport around those times, the Dolphin Expressway and causeways can back up. One trick: the express lanes on I-95 (toll lanes) can save a lot of time if you’re going north-south, your rental’s toll transponder will cover it, just keep an eye on the overhead signs for price. Also note, Miami has sudden thunderstorms, especially in summer afternoons, roads can flood briefly, so slow down during downpours. Give yourself extra time if it’s raining hard or if you’re traveling during big events (e.g. Art Basel, Miami Boat Show) when traffic spikes. With a bit of patience and GPS guidance, you’ll get around fine. And hey, if you get stuck at a red light, just roll down the window, the tropical air and palm trees swaying might remind you you’re on vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the companies located in the Rental Car Center, you won’t need a shuttle, just the MIA Mover train. However, a handful of off-site rental agencies do exist. If you happen to book with one of those (or if you have a very specific need like an exotic car rental from a specialty firm), you would take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center and then transfer to that company’s shuttle. They usually pick up outside the RCC on the ground level. The vast majority of travelers, though, use the on-site companies and thus only ride the train. The airport really streamlined the process by opening the RCC, so gone are the days of lots of buses crowding the airport curb. Bottom line: unless your reservation explicitly says you need to take a shuttle, assume it’s just the tram ride. And if you’re unsure, the confirmation details from us will clarify pickup procedure. We aim to make it clear so you’re not left guessing.

To get the cheapest rate at Miami Airport, here are a few tips: Book in advance, last-minute rentals in Miami can surge in price, especially around holidays or big events. Use our site to compare multiple companies, sometimes a smaller or less-known brand might have a great deal. Look at different car categories; if you don’t need a big car, economy and compact cars are usually the cheapest (often advertised from ~$19/day in low season). Watch for special offers, Miami rentals sometimes come with perks like a free additional driver or a discount if you rent 5+ days. Also, consider the timing: Miami’s high season is winter (when snowbirds come down) and major event weeks, so prices are higher then. Summer can actually be cheaper (it’s hotter and more humid, so slightly fewer tourists). If your trip is off-peak, you’ll likely snag a better deal. Lastly, avoid add-ons you don’t need: things like GPS (you can use your smartphone) or insurance you already have coverage for. And return the car full of gas to avoid refueling fees. By planning smartly, you can truly get a great bargain on a Miami car rental. We regularly see happy customers getting cars well under the average price by using these strategies.

The drive from MIA to Downtown Miami is about 7-8 miles and typically takes around 15-20 minutes without heavy traffic. To South Beach (Miami Beach), it’s roughly 12-15 miles depending on your route, and can take about 20-30 minutes in good traffic. However, timing is everything in Miami. Mid-day or late at night, you’ll likely hit those lower estimates. During rush hour or a busy weekend, downtown could take 30+ minutes, and South Beach could take 45 minutes or more. The usual route to South Beach is via SR 112 East (Airport Expressway) which turns into I-195 and then the Julia Tuttle Causeway. That route has tolls and can back up. An alternative is SR 836 East (Dolphin Expressway) to I-95 North, then I-395 East over the MacArthur Causeway, also toll and traffic prone but sometimes better. Check your GPS for real-time updates. If you’re heading out during a peak time, give yourself extra time and enjoy the views of the skyline and bay on the way. One perk: both causeway routes to Miami Beach are pretty scenic, so even if it’s slow, it’s not an ugly drive!

Virtually all major rental companies are present at MIA’s Rental Car Center. This includes big brands like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty, as well as Sixt, Payless, and FOX. In total, about 15-20 companies have counters there. There are also a few specialty or international brands (for example, Europcar operates via Advantage or similar partners in the US, and ACE/Zoom might be off-site). But if you stick to searching on our site, we’ll show you the main options available. The Rental Car Center was designed to consolidate all these agencies, making comparison and pick-up super convenient. So, you have a wide array of choices, from premium to budget, all in one place at MIA.

It’s easy! From your arrival terminal, follow signs for “Rental Car Center” or “MIA Mover.” Miami International has a dedicated train, the MIA Mover, that connects the terminals to the Rental Car Center. After you collect your bags, you’ll take an elevator/escalator up to the MIA Mover station. The train runs continuously (24/7) and takes just a few minutes to reach the Rental Car Center. Once you arrive at the station, you’ll go down into the RCC building where all the rental counters are located on one floor. If you have a lot of luggage, free carts are usually available, and there are elevators and moving walkways to help. In summary: no shuttle bus hassle, the air-conditioned MIA Mover will whisk you straight to your rental car hub.

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