To get from Miami to Miami Beach, cross Biscayne Bay: the MacArthur Causeway (I-395) leads to South Beach, while I-195 (Julia Tuttle Causeway) and the 79th Street Causeway serve Middle and North Beach.
From Royal Budget Inn, North Beach Oceanside Park is about a 7-minute drive; this motel in Miami can put the northern end of the beach within reach.
- South Beach: approach on the MacArthur Causeway.
- Middle and North Beach: use I-195 or the 79th Street Causeway.
- Bus routes: Miami-Dade Transit route names include the Miami Beach Airport Flyer and routes connecting Miami Beach with downtown, Aventura Mall, Hialeah and MDC North.
- Beach access: manual beach wheelchairs can enter water up to 6 inches deep; ask a lifeguard for assistance.
Choose the Miami Beach area that fits your visit
Choose South Beach for Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue or Collins Avenue; Middle and North Beach have separate causeway approaches. The City of Miami Beach directs drivers to the MacArthur Causeway for South Beach and to I-195 or the 79th Street Causeway for the northern areas.
From Royal Budget Inn, North Beach Oceanside Park is about a 7-minute drive. For a public green space in the same part of the island, Brittany Bay Park is about an 8-minute drive from the motel.
How do you get from Miami to Miami Beach by bus?
Miami-Dade Transit route names can help you identify buses serving Miami Beach, but check the agency’s route information for connections that work for your starting point.
Route 150 is named the Miami Beach Airport Flyer. Other routes include Route 100, Downtown–Aventura Mall via Miami Beach; Route 79, Hialeah–Miami Beach via 79th Street; and Route 125, MDC North to Miami Beach via 125th Street. For more on navigating the city’s buses and other transit, read the Miami public transport guide.
The regular Metrobus fare is $2.25 and the discount fare is $1.10. EASY Card, EASY Ticket, the GO Miami-Dade Transit app, contactless payment and cash are accepted on Metrobus. Bus-to-bus transfers are free within 3 hours of the first use, as are bus-to-rail and rail-to-bus transfers.
Driving, parking and bridge approaches
For South Beach, cross on the MacArthur Causeway (I-395). To reach Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue or Collins Avenue, continue on Fifth Street from the causeway and turn left onto the street you need.
For Lincoln Road, City Hall or the Miami Beach Convention Center, take Washington Avenue from Fifth Street and continue north to 17th Street. Public lots and garages are on 17th Street and Convention Center Drive near City Hall. For Middle or North Beach, the city directs drivers to I-195 (Julia Tuttle Causeway) or the 79th Street Causeway.
The City of Miami Beach sets on-street parking at $4 per hour in South Beach and $3 per hour in East Middle Beach; off-street parking in both areas is $2 per hour.
In North Beach, on-street and off-street parking cost $1 per hour. Maximum time limits vary. Check the official site before you go: the operator is the City of Miami Beach.
Beach access and facilities
Manual beach wheelchairs can enter the water up to 6 inches deep. Ask a lifeguard for assistance with a beach wheelchair when you arrive at the beach.
For a beach day, choose your access point based on the area you’re visiting, then ask a lifeguard about wheelchair assistance. The city’s beach-wheelchair information is especially relevant if you plan to enter the water using a manual beach wheelchair.
Pairing the beach with nearby sights
South Beach’s Fifth Street approach puts Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue on the onward route, so you can combine a beach visit with a drive along one of those streets.
For Lincoln Road or the Miami Beach Convention Center, follow Washington Avenue north to 17th Street. The Holocaust Memorial is another Miami Beach stop; the Holocaust Memorial Miami visiting guide covers its hours, history and visiting details.
If you’re planning around Miami’s conditions, the Miami weather and seasonal planning guide covers timing considerations.
FAQs
Which causeway should you take to Miami Beach?
Take the MacArthur Causeway (I-395) for South Beach. For Middle or North Beach, use I-195 or the 79th Street Causeway.
What is the Miami Beach Airport Flyer?
It is the name of Route 150. Check the transit agency’s route information for current service details.
Can a manual beach wheelchair enter the water?
Yes. Manual beach wheelchairs can enter water up to 6 inches deep; ask a lifeguard for assistance.