How to Get to Miami from Orlando
If you are planning a trip from Orlando to Miami, you should know that you have all kinds of options, although they all have their pros and cons.

Orlando Airport |©Ivy Lin
Orlando and Miami are two of Florida's most popular tourist destinations. The former is known for its huge variety of theme parks, while the latter is famous for its beaches and leisure and entertainment options. Therefore, if you are traveling to Florida, we recommend that you take the opportunity to visit both regions.
There are several ways to get from Orlando to Miami. All of them have advantages and disadvantages and are more or less convenient depending on your needs and preferences. If you have already enjoyed the best things to do in Orlando and want to discover the fun and idyllic city of Miami, read on.
Getting there by car, the most flexible option

Without a doubt, the most flexible way to travel from Orlando to Miami is by car. This type of trip is ideal if you are traveling with the whole family. This way, you can take advantage of certain stops and enjoy the best things to do in Orlando with kids, such as a visit to the Kennedy Space Center, or the best things to do in Miami with kids.
If you don't have your own vehicle, you can rent one from one of the many car rental companies available. In fact, this is something I recommend for your entire trip, as you'll be able to visit different places and save time on public transportation.
To get from Orlando to Miami by car, take Interstate 4 East towards Florida's Turnpike South. Once you reach the latter, take the exit for I-95 South, which will take you to Miami. The journey usually takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic at the time.
As well as being a very flexible option, the drive from Orlando to Florida is really beautiful. As you leave the city behind, you will enter the heart of Central Florida, an area of grasslands with lush trees and lots of vegetation. You will also see Lake Okeechobee, which is the largest freshwater lake in Florida. If you need to stop to stretch your legs, do so here and have your camera handy.
- Price: Varies depending on the car rental company you choose, the current price of fuel, and your starting point and destination. However, in general terms, the cost ranges from $144 to $164.
- Journey time: About 3 to 4 hours, depending on how many stops you make.
- Advantages: This is the most flexible option, allowing you to stop wherever and whenever you want and take the route you like best.
- Disadvantages: You won't be able to rest during the journey and you may have trouble finding parking.
How to get there by bus, the most common option

Although traveling by car is the most flexible option, it does have certain drawbacks. During the holidays, it's normal to do all kinds of activities and make lots of plans, so you're likely to be quite tired. Therefore, it's understandable that you might not want to drive for 3-4 hours. In that case, I recommend taking the bus.
Several companies offer service between Orlando and Miami. The bus usually leaves from the Orlando bus station, located in the city center. It then follows the same route as the car trip, along the Florida's Turnpike South. The bus will drop you off in downtown Miami, where the station is located. This way, you can enjoy the same views I mentioned on the car trip, with the difference that you won't have to keep your eyes glued to the road.
As it is a medium-distance trip, most companies offer buses with reclining seats and air conditioning for a pleasant experience. In addition, in some cases, premium seats are also available. On the other hand, since the trip takes about 4-6 hours, there are usually stops for passengers to rest. These are short, so they won't add much to the journey time.
My advice is to take advantage of your trip from Orlando to Miami to visit the Everglades, where you'll find the best airboat tours in Orlando. If you don't know how to get from Orlando to the Everglades, you'll be happy to know that you have several options.
- Price: Between $17 and $42 per ticket, depending on whether you choose a premium seat or not.
- Journey time: About 4-6 hours, depending on traffic, stops, and the company.
- Advantages: You can enjoy the views and relax until you reach your destination.
- Disadvantages: It is the slowest option.
How to get there by train, the most convenient option

Without a doubt, the train is one of the best ways to travel. It is a comfortable and fast option that offers all kinds of services. Currently, there is only one train connecting Orlando and Miami, although the Brightline company is planning to launch a line connecting the two cities.
For now, the only train available is the Silver Service/Palmetto, operated by Amtrak. This train departs from New York but makes several stops before reaching Miami, one of which is Orlando. It is a daily service, so you should have no problem fitting in with the timetable.
One of the biggest advantages of this option is the comfort it offers. The large windows of the carriages provide wonderful views of the characteristic landscape of this area of Florida. In addition, the reclining seats will help you relax and take a nap if you wish.
Of course, the company equips its trains with power outlets and Wi-Fi. In some cases, there are also multimedia devices, such as individual screens. Finally, there is a catering service if you want to grab a bite to eat. So, if you're tired after enjoying the best activities in Orlando, this is your best option.
- Price: Between $35 and $70 per ticket, depending on whether you choose a premium seat or not.
- Journey time: Around 5 hours.
- Advantages: It's the most comfortable way to travel from Orlando to Miami. The trains offer all kinds of services to enhance your experience, so you can rest or entertain yourself during the trip.
- Disadvantages: There may be delays, so keep this in mind when booking activities in Miami to avoid disappointment.
How to get there by plane, the fastest option

Of course, if you want to save time on the journey, the most convenient option is to fly. This is even more necessary if you are taking a 3-day trip to Orlando or any other short trip. This way, you can enjoy the time you save doing other activities, such as one of the best tours in Orlando or visiting one of the best theme parks in Orlando.
There are two options for flying to Orlando. On the one hand, there is Orlando International Airport, which is the city's main airport and therefore the largest. This means it offers a wide variety of connections and schedules. On the other hand, there is also Sanford International Airport, which is smaller than the former. The great advantage of the latter is that it usually has cheaper flights, as low-cost airlines operate there.
Similarly, Miami also has more than one airport. The main airport in the region is Miami International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States in terms of daily departures and arrivals. It is located in the northwest of the city and is the main airport. On the other hand, there is also Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, which, although it focuses on business flights, offers cheap flights.
The most common route to get from Orlando to Miami is from Orlando International Airport to Miami International Airport. The flight time is usually one hour, and several airlines offer this connection, such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. My advice is to buy your flight in advance to find cheaper options. Also, check the transfers between the airport and Miami for your arrival.
- Price: It all depends on how far in advance you buy your tickets, as well as the airline you choose and the season you travel in. Generally, the price is usually between $50 and $200.
- Journey time: Approximately one hour.
- Advantages: It's the fastest way to get from Orlando to Miami.
- Disadvantages: It is the most expensive option, unless you manage to find a cheap flight.
Other means of transportation

The options I mentioned above are the most common and conventional ones. However, there are other alternatives for traveling from Orlando to Miami. One of them is by boat. There are many tourist cruises that offer this route. The vast majority of them depart from the port of Cape Canaveral, which is about an hour's drive from Orlando.
Since these are tourist cruises, they do not make the journey directly. Depending on the company you choose, you will make more or fewer stops at different ports. This means that it will take several days to get from Orlando to Miami. Therefore, this is not an option to consider if you are short on time or need to get to Miami within a few hours.
This is an activity in itself, where you will enjoy all kinds of leisure and entertainment activities. These cruises feature several restaurants, swimming pools, entertainment staff, solariums, and even a movie theater. In addition, excursions are organized in the cities you visit. If you are interested in this option, I recommend checking out the best cruises in Miami.
Another way to get from Orlando to Miami is by taking an organized tour with a tour company. In addition to transportation from one city to another, these tours include a variety of activities for all tastes.
We compare the options

- Car
- The most flexible option
- Price: between $144 and $164
- Duration: approximately 3-4 hours
- Bus
- The most common option
- Price: between €17 and €42
- Duration: approx. 4-6 hours
- Train
- The most convenient option
- Price: between €35 and €70
- Duration: approx. 5 hours
- Plane
- The fastest option
- Price: between €50 and €200
- Duration: one hour
Tips for traveling between Orlando and Miami

The most important thing when planning any trip is organization. Therefore, the first thing you should do is ask yourself what your priorities are: **saving money, saving time, comfort, flexibility...**Depending on what they are, one type of trip will suit you better than another. Along these lines, it's also important to do extensive research on the best companies in the industry, whether they're train companies, airlines, or car rental companies.
You should also plan your itinerary in advance so you can buy your tickets ahead of time and get the best prices. Find out what the best things to do in Miami are during that time of year. Guides such as 10 things to see and do in Miami in summer or 10 things to see and do in Miami in winter will be very helpful.
If you can, make a stop on your trip and take the opportunity to visit other cities in this area of Florida, such as Kissimmee, Melbourne, or Palm Bay. This way, you can visit more places and get more out of your trip.
When is the best time to go from Orlando to Miami?

It all depends on your preferences and tastes. You may prefer cooler climates and quieter places, or you may be more inclined towards a more festive and lively atmosphere. However, in my opinion, the best time to go from Orlando to Miami is in spring or fall.
During these months of the year, both cities are usually quieter, as it is not high season. You can do a lot of activities without having to worry about crowds at attractions. You can also visit the cities in complete peace, without having to deal with annoying crowds. In addition, as it is not high season, prices are lower, so your trip will be cheaper.
Beyond that, both Orlando and Miami have subtropical climates, which makes them very hot and humid cities, especially in summer. By going in spring or fall, you will enjoy pleasant temperatures, without too much heat or cold. This way, you can make all kinds of plans, some of which would be impossible to do in the summer months due to the temperatures.
As for events in both cities, there are regular events throughout the year. So, whatever time of year you travel to Orlando and Miami, you'll always be lucky enough to stumble upon a festival or event. For example, in spring, Miami hosts the Ultra Music Festival and Miami Carnival. As for Orlando, the city hosts the Florida Film Festival and the Fiesta de Mayo in Downtown Orlando during these months.