How to get from Palm Beach International Airport to Port of Miami (PortMiami), or vice versa?
Cruise passengers find occasional cheap or convenient flights to PBI and then wonder if it makes sense when compared to more expensive flights to MIA or FLL. It is roughly 75 miles (120 km) by road depending on the route.
Some Concerns
It depends! You have to consider your arrival time, the number of people in your party, your budget, the amount of luggage you are carrying, your mobility (walking and getting on/off trains and buses and vehicles), and so on.
If you land early there’s the potential traffic delays between West Palm Beach and the Fort Lauderdale / Miami areas. During morning rush hour the highways are busy! (I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, and even Rte 1) .
Given the uncertainty of the traffic situation, I generally recommend avoiding road transfers in the early morning (rental car, rideshare, taxi, shuttles) and booking a train ticket on either Tri-Rail or Brightline. After 9 am, the traffic situation improves!
You also have to consider flight delays if you arrive on the morning of your cruise! It can get stressful if you arrive late AND you are still 2 hours or more from PortMiami!
Available Options
Nevertheless, here are your options:
- Rental Car – I’ve seen rates as low as $55 one-way in a mid-size car. 1h30mins
- Rideshare – Estimate about $80 for UberX and $135 for UberXL. You may experience surge pricing during peak hours (just wait a while and try again). Pickup is on the Arrivals level and it will take at least 1h30mins.
- Taxi – Don’t. It is too far.
- Shuttles – Shared shuttles are not readily available. Private transport will cost upwards of $180 per one-way trip (up to 4 passengers).
- Rail – Tri-Rail or Brightline to MiamiCentral Station near PortMiami. See below for details
Rental Car Advice
Once you arrive in Miami, not all rental car companies offer free shuttle transfers to PortMiami! Be careful who you book with and where you drop off!
For rental car options with free shuttles to PortMiami, please read Rental Car Drop off with Shuttles.
Rail Advice
Unfortunately, neither Brightline nor Tri-Rail stops at Palm Beach Airport. As shown on the map below, you need a transfer service to either station.
Tri-Rail
The Tri-Rail transfer from PBI to West Palm Beach Station is a FREE car service.
Follow the signs in the airport to Ground Transportation. The stop is located on Level One, Baggage Claim- you will see signs for TRI-RAIL.
Call Metro Taxi as soon as you land and tell them you have a Tri-Rail ticket.
Tri-Rail Fare to MiamiCentral is $8.75 and it takes 2 hours.
At this time, you have to transfer at Metrorail Transfer Station and use the shuttle train to MiamiCentral. In most cases, the shuttle train arrives immediately using the same platform.
Direct service may be available in late 2024.
At MiamiCentral, use Uber to the cruise terminal – about 10 minutes. Cost is $8 to $15 depending on vehicle type.
Brightline
The UBER transfer from PBI to West Palm Beach Brightline Station is FREE for Premium tickets, otherwise about $12.
Follow the signs in the airport to Ground Transportation and look for the Rideshare signs.
The Brightline fare to MiamiCentral starts at $29 and can get as high as $84. It takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
At MiamiCentral, use Uber to the cruise terminal – about 10 minutes. Cost is FREE for Premium tickets or $8 to $15 depending on vehicle type.
Links
Please visit Tri-Rail for fares and schedules.
Please visit Brightline for fares and schedules.