48 Hours In Miami On A Budget: Public Transport Tips

Got a layover in Miami? Chances are that you're passing through for that budget flight to Fort Lauderdale and just want to experience a few things are that truly Miami.

While I'm not a local in Miami, I got in touch with my close friend that lives there to put things into perspective before recommending what to do, where to eat and where to stay.

Being a budget traveler, I'll share some practical ways to save money and still experience Miami fully. Some suggestions might seem a bit extreme, but Miami can be an expensive layover.

Let's figure out how to move around Miami and as the locals do.

The Miami Vibe

This is what I experienced in Miami for my short stay:

• 🇷🇺 Saw many Russians and foreigners in general
• 🇪🇸 The Hispanic population is massive
• 👙 Lots of people showing off their beach body
• 💉 The city of vices lives up to its name
• 🏝️ Feels like a massively beefed up version of Tulum

Florida Airport Tips/Tricks

1. TSA stops operating at midnight in case you want to pass through for your early flight.
2. Access to the MetroBus is available at the third floor of terminals.
3. Airports in Florida have free water fountains and bathrooms available.
4. Fort Lauderdale Airport has public transport to Miami Beach, Central Miami and Miami Airport.
5. While there are a handful of food stalls in the terminals, the better ones are after TSA check in.

Getting Around Miami On Public Transport

One of the easiest ways to get around is by using Google Maps. The app has offers live tracking of the bus routes. They were very accurate for me and I got from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami Beach this way.

I highly recommend getting a chip while you're there. I signed up for the T-mobile 1-month plan for $21.00 USD that included 5GB Data and it was totally worth it.

The price for the Metro Bus is $2.00 USD and sometimes at $2.25 which is dependent on rush hour I believe.

You can pay for the Metro Busand can be paid in $1 bills, coins or using a bus card. There is no change for larger bills. The run is very slow so take this into account - especially on peak hours like 8AM or 5PM.

These are the main public transport options around Florida:

Metro Bus Metro Mover Tri Rail Broward Country Transport

Where To Eat (Under $15 USD)

Cuba Cafe

Cuba Cafe was recommended to me by the front desk worker at a local hostel. It's a relatively tiny stall with a handful of offerings including: a coffee menu, breakfast menu, sandwiches, smoothies and fresh juices.

The prices average between $10.00 USD and $16.00 for most of the items. An Americano starts at $2.25 only for a small one. I tried the Hummus Avocado Classic Sandwich which was a hefty meal.

While I was there, one of the ladies working there needed some help fixing their table which I managed to fix. As a thank you I got a free coffee!

La Sandwicheria

This tiny hole in the wall was also recommended to me by a local. It's like a huge inbuilt food cart with only a few chairs. The menu is all sandwiches with the Italian sandwich being the crowd favorite.

The two gentlemen working there are extremely efficient serving delicious and fresh sandwiches. I ordered the hummus sandwich with avocado topping that cost $11.00 USD. They have a little tart sauce to go along with the sandwich as well.

Convenience Stores

There are small little stores like Ocean 11 Market where you can get some pre-made lunches like wraps and pasta for under $10.00 USD. This is perfect for budget travelers that don't want to go to a café or restaurant.

From the looks of it, the food is fresh. I didn't try one this time around, but it looked like a solid option. If you search convenience stores in Google Maps, you'll find other options as well.

Where to Stay (Hostel)

Viajero Hostel

I can't begin to explain how perfect this hostel was. Honestly, it felt like a shared hotel. It's centrally located only 2 blocks away from the beach with many cafés and restaurants nearby. It's also relatively near where the bus stops.

The workers greeted me with a warm welcome, and I got booked in within a few minutes despite it being a walk-in. Actually, you can give drop them a message on Whatsapp where they are responsive as well.

The hostel includes all the important commodities like: free water, free coffee/tea, shared lobby, and even a pool with a lounge area.

One of the most impressive qualities was the cleanliness. The 6-bedroom dorm I stayed in was pristine. The bed was extremely comfortable, and it even had a wall outlet, night light and a privacy curtain. There was even storage area underneath my bed.

If you're into group activities, they also have a Whatsapp group where they do things like going to the beach and playing volleyball and relax of course.

I highly recommend this hostel if you're deciding among the hostels in Hostel World.

The Aiport

This might not be everyone's cup of tea but there's actually a whole website dedicated to sleeping in airports. Having spent two days sleeping at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, I can share some practical tips.

Airports are not very comfortable, honestly. But if you have an early flight, it makes sense to check-in the day before and avoid paying for a hotel.

The best place to sleep at airports is normally the corner of the terminals where they are likely chairs without seat handles. The light might also be dimmer here, and it might be less noisy. These factors are very important if you actually want to get some sleep.

If you want to be safer sleeping at an airport, you can pass TSA a day before. Just remember TSA closes at midnight. If you have to check in bags, you also won't be able to cross TSA since bags can only be checked a few hours before.

Prices To Expect (Including Tax)

Final Thoughts: Miami On A Budget

Miami is relatively expensive and the easiest way to save money is to find cheap accommodation. You can also save a bit by choosing to eat from food stalls instead of pricey restaurants.

The front desk workers at the hostel I stayed gave me excellent recommendations nearby, and I found convenience stores to have everything you need for a good lunch meal.

Lastly, moving around Miami is actually not too difficult. The buses are slow, but being trackable on Google Maps makes it so convenient to schedule trips throughout the day.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.