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Miami Public Transportation Info (updated for 2009).. for those who want to save cash
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| PatMcGroin |
Want to save a little cash during conference? Don't really want to spend $20 for each cab ride from downtown to south beach? Don't mind waiting a little bit? Well then here's a solution for you. The Miami-Dade Transit system. Everything you need to know for getting from your South Beach Hotel to Ultra or Space with only spending $1.50 instead of $20.
Okay, people here's the deal. I've ridden the Miami buses for years, and while they aren't always on time or the cleanest, they will get you to where you need to go for cheap. As long as you don't mind, then this is a good option for you.
The most important thing to remember is these buses do run on a schedule, and they may not always be on time, so I usually like to be at a bus stop 10 minutes before the schedule says the bus is going to be there. Also these buses do NOT run 24 hours a day. There are some that do, but not all of them. If you plan on leaving Space at 4am and want to catch a bus, you are better off catching a cab. But if you stay for a marathon terrace session and leave space at noon, then by all means catch a bus to save some cash.
Also remember, these buses require EXACT change. If you've got a $5 bill, sucks for you, because they don't have change.
7-Day Visitor Passport: You can purchase a one time ticket that will allow you unlimited access to the entire public transportation system. It costs $26 and is obviously only valid for seven consecutive days. More information and sales locations can be found here: https://ipas.miamidade.gov/MDCTWeb/VisitorPassGate.do They sell them on South Beach, the Airport, Downtown Miami, so you should have no problem getting on if you want one.
There's a lot of different ways to get to Downtown from Miami Beach, so I'm going to try and make this as simple as possible. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.
Note: All of the ways I am listing here are using a bus to get to the Omni Bus Terminal. From there you can either walk to Space (probably not more than a 5 minute walk) or take the Metro Mover. I do recommend taking the Metro Mover (if it is running) because the area all the clubs are in are quite ghetto. Plus the Metro Mover is FREE! You probably can however take the bus a little bit closer to the night clubs or Ultra, but I do not know where those bus stops are, so you can either ask the bus driver or just get off at the Omni Bus Terminal.
1) C - Downtown Miami - goes from 41st street Miami Beach all the way to Downtown
This will probably be the most commonly and easiest bus to use. Also if you have a hotel a little further north on Collins, you can also take this bus. This bus does not service anything north of 41st St though.
If you are going towards Downtown Miami, the bus will read "C Downtown Miami"
If you are going towards Miami Beach, the bus will read "C Mt Sinai Hosp"
The highlighted part of the route will probably be the most commonly used part of the route for you guys, that's why I highlighted it.
Full route map available here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran.../routes/103.pdf
All other bus information here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...e.asp?route=103
Here are the schedule's. Not every bus stop is listed, only major ones, so just use it as a guide. Generally the buses run around every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day. You can also pick up these schedules on some buses or maybe your hotel might have them. Ask the receptionist at your hotel if you want hard copies of these schedules. They may be able to help.
Weekday Schedule (5am-midnight) from Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...Bound&route=103
Weekday Schedule (5am-midnight) from Downtown to Miami each
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=103
Saturday Schedule (5am-midnight) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...Bound&route=103
Saturday Schedule (5am-midnight) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=103
Sunday Schedule (6am-11pm) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...Bound&route=103
Sunday Schedule (6am-11pm) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=103
2) K - Omni - goes from Hallover Beach to Omni Station
This will probably also be a commonly used bus. If you get on South Beach this bus has the exact same route to the Omni Bus Terminal as the C bus. If you have a hotel that is WAY north, around 85th & Collins, you can take this bus all the way to South Beach and even to Downtown.
If you are going towards Downtown Miami, the bus will read "K Omni"
If you are going towards Miami Beach, the bus will read "K Hallover Beach" or "K Diplomat Mall" Unless you are going very far north, you can take either the Dilomat Mall or Hallover Beach buses. They have the same route until they get very far up north.
Note: Please note, this map is not 100% correct anymore. Its last stop is at the Omni Station and does no longer go into Downtown Miami.
Full route map available here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran.../routes/111.pdf
All other bus information here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...e.asp?route=111
Weekday Schedule (6am-11pm) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=111
Weekday Schedule (6am-11pm) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=111
Saturday Schedule (6am-midnight) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=111
Saturday Schedule (6am-10pm) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=111
Sunday Schedule (6am-11pm) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=111
Sunday Schedule (6am-11pm) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=111
3) S - Downtown Miami - goes from Aventura Mall (North Miami) to Downtown
This is essentially the same bus as the C or K, only it runs on Alton Rd rather than Washington Ave. So for those who are staying down there, this is the bus you will need. Also this bus runs very far north, so if you are staying somewhere crazy like 160th & Collins, then you can take this bus.
This bus does run 24 hours, but notice if you look at the schedules, in the middle of the night it only runs once every hour.
If you are going towards Downtown Miami, the bus will read "S Downtown Miami"
If you are going towards Miami Beach, the bus will read "S Aventura Mall"
Full route map available here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran.../routes/119.pdf
All other bus information here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...e.asp?route=119
Weekday Schedule (24 hours) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=119
Weekday Schedule (24 hours) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=119
Saturday Schedule (24 hours) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=119
Saturday Schedule (24 hours) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=119
Sunday Schedule (24 hours) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=119
Sunday Schedule (24 hours) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...bound&route=119
4) Night Owl goes all around Metro Miami and only runs once an hour
This bus is pretty much just if you are desperate like you lost all your money in the club or something and need to get back to your hotel room in the middle of the night but can't afford a cab. It only runs once an hour, and probably will suck. But if you need to, you can.
I think the bus read "Night Owl" but I am not 100% sure as I've never taken this bus before.
Full route map available here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran.../routes/246.pdf
All other bus information here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran.../routes/246.pdf
Weekday Schedule (11pm-6am) Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
Weekday Schedule (11pm-6am) Counter Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
Saturday Schedule (11pm-6am) Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
Saturday Schedule (11pm-6am) Counter Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
Sunday Schedule (11pm-6am) Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
Sunday Schedule (11pm-6am) Counter Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
5) South Beach Local goes all around South Beach
This bus is very handy to take if you want to get from one side of Miami Beach to the other. It only costs $0.25 and runs almost every 10 minutes. This is perfect if you're staying on 15th and need to get down to Nikki Beach which is on 1st street or something.
Bus will always read "South Beach Local"
Full route map available here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran.../routes/123.pdf
All other bus information here: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...e.asp?route=123
Weekday Schedule (8am-2am) Clockwise
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...kwise&route=123
Weekday Schedule (8am-2am) Counter Clockwise
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...kwise&route=123
Saturday Schedule (8am-2am) Clockwise
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...kwise&route=123
Saturday Schedule (8am-2am) Counter Clockwise
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...kwise&route=123
Sunday Schedule (10am-2am) Clockwise
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...kwise&route=123
Sunday Schedule (10am-2am) Counter Clockwise
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...kwise&route=123
6) Metro Mover
This is a little mini train. Its free so don't worry about that, but it does not run too often. It is very easy to jump on this thing from the Omni Bus Terminal and get off 2 stops later at the 11st St Station and walk 2 blocks to Space or even Ultra.
The Metro Mover runs from 5am to midnight seven days a week.
Printable version of map: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...y/mover_map.pdf
Trip Planner
Here's a nice little link too. I give a couple more options because sometimes you can take more than one bus, but this is basically the same thing:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/transit/#mdy
F.A.Q. Section
Q: If I'm already staying on South Beach how do I know which bus to take? You listed like 20 different ones.
A: If you are staying closer to Washington Ave, like on Collins or Ocean, you need to take the C or K. They all follow the same exact path. If you are staying closer to Alton Rd. then you need to take the S.
Q: How do I find the nearest bus stop to my hotel?
A: Simple, walk down to the main street closest to your hotel (Washington or Alton) and walk down until you see a bus stop. You'll notice a bench and a green sign that says "Bus Stop" and will have various buses listed on the sign.
Q: The bus stop by my hotel on 13th and Washington is not listed in the schedules you gave us links to, what gives?
A: Only the major bus stops are listed. There are bus stops in between those. Just use the schedule as a guide. If it says the bus will arrive at Lincoln & Washington at 9:45 and at 5th & Washington at 9:55. Then if you're stop is in the middle, it will more than likely arrive at your stop at 9:50.
Q: How do I know if I'm on the right bus?
A: Well you could pay attention to what the bus and my guide says or you could also ask the bus driver. They SHOULD know how to speak some English.
Q: How will I know when to get off?
A: The bus has a speaker system that will say "Omni Bus Terminal" very loud. Unless you're retarded, you won't miss it. It also looks like a bus terminal where many buses stop. So get off there. Or if you're still in doubt, ask the bus driver to tell you when you get there and how to get to the Metro Mover.
Q: What if I need to take two buses back to back? How do I transfer?
A: Ask the bus driver for a transfer ticket when you pay for your fare. They cost $0.50 each and are available for bus-to-bus and bus-to-rail. Then simply get off at the right stop, step onto your next bus when it arrives and hand the bus driver a transfer ticket.
Q: Where'd you get all this information from and how can I look up some stuff on my own?
A: I knew most of it from experience, but the maps and everything I grabbed from http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit/home.asp
Q: I paid my $1.50 and the bus driver is yelling at me telling me to put more even though I correctly put the right amount. What do I do?
A: Those machines can sometimes be wrong. The bus drivers are trained to let you on even if they think you put the wrong amount of money in. In short, you're right, they are wrong. But if they keep giving you a hard time threaten to file a complaint against them and they'll shut up.
Q: How come you only colored in the first two maps?
A: Because I got lazy.
Q: How come your Photoshop skills suck and you couldn't make better maps for us?
A: Because I suck. ;)
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask, I will try and answer all your questions so none of this is confusing. I know it can be a bit confusing to read, but trust me, the bus system down here isn't that hard. And if you use it, just watch out for the crackheads on the bus. :p
***2009 Changes***
- The K no longer runs all the way into Downtown Miami: it stops at the Omni station.
- The 51 no longer runs to Miami Beach: its last stop is the Omni station. So this bus route has been removed all together.
- Added a few more Q&A questions.
- Added 7-Day Visitor Passport Section
- Added Trip Planner |
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| Brian Scott |
Excellent info!
On a lighter note, it's always fun to catch the under-21 crowd on the busses heading to/from Ultra. They look all bright-eyed and innocent on the way there, and rather torn up in the evening on the way back. Either way, they stick out like sore thumbs. Just a little anecdotal info for any of you who decide to do the public transport thing. |
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| swerve311 |
| good looking out, i think ill try hittin this up at some point |
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| MJM74 |
Thanks Flo for this incredble info that will come in handy for alot of peeps who decide to take puplic transportation.
I'm gonna link it in the events thread.
:toocool: |
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| bigsnail |
| South Beach Local FTW!!! |
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| Thierry |
| quote: | Originally posted by Brian Scott
Excellent info!
On a lighter note, it's always fun to catch the under-21 crowd on the busses heading to/from Ultra. They look all bright-eyed and innocent on the way there, and rather torn up in the evening on the way back. Either way, they stick out like sore thumbs. Just a little anecdotal info for any of you who decide to do the public transport thing. |
Haha that's funny... gonna be hilarious to see all the little ones all mashed up. |
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| PatMcGroin |
| quote: | Originally posted by MJM74
Thanks Flo for this incredble info that will come in handy for alot of peeps who decide to take puplic transportation.
I'm gonna link it in the events thread.
:toocool: |
awesome... good looking out. |
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| chach |
| lol can't wait to hear the rape stories from taking the dade bus :o |
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| swerve311 |
okay, lemme see if i got this right....
I'm on 3rd and ocean, and wanna get to the shelborne on wed.
I should get on the South Beach Local Bus from 5th and Washington ave stop and take it counterclockwise to the lincoln and washington ave stop. Take it clockwise back.....
And then coming from 3rd and Ocean going to mainland miami for FSOB @ soho studios (2136 NW 1st Avenue) it appears easier just to cab it up
and Ultra day 2, I should take the C or K bus from 5th and Washington (is that a stop?) or do i have to hit up 5th and alton to the Omni Metro Mover Bus Terminal.
Thanks for your help!, I'm retarded when it comes to bus/metro maps. |
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| PatMcGroin |
| quote: | Originally posted by swerve311
okay, lemme see if i got this right....
I'm on 3rd and ocean, and wanna get to the shelborne on wed.
I should get on the South Beach Local Bus from 5th and Washington ave stop and take it counterclockwise to the lincoln and washington ave stop. Take it clockwise back.....
And then coming from 3rd and Ocean going to mainland miami for FSOB @ soho studios (2136 NW 1st Avenue) it appears easier just to cab it up
and Ultra day 2, I should take the C or K bus from 5th and Washington (is that a stop?) or do i have to hit up 5th and alton to the Omni Metro Mover Bus Terminal.
Thanks for your help!, I'm retarded when it comes to bus/metro maps. |
the first one, you could catch on 3rd and washington rather than walking two blocks to 5th.
the second one, you could take a bus if you want. maybe a cab back would be easier though if you're coming back at like 4-5-6amish.
the last one, you got it. theres a stop on 5th and washington. actually all down washington about every block theres a stop. same on 5th. you dont have to go to one specific stop, they are all so close. but 5th and washington would be the closest to you. yes. after you get off at the omni bus terminal, you'll see the metro mover. jump on, its free. take it like 3 stops and you'll see ultra. get off, walk like 2-3 blocks, and you're there.
i recommend after you check in your hotel and get settled and everything, take a walk around the blocks around you. like walk down washington ave. you'll see the bus stops and buses riding around. dont worry, its really not that bad.
oh and i think this goes without saying, but just in case some people dont know. if you're waiting at a bus stop, put your arm out as the bus approaches you. if you dont, the bus may not realize you're trying to get on. very simply, but it sucks when a bus goes flying by you and you gotta wait another 20 mins. |
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| epdarks |
| hot post Flo. Well done mate. |
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