Car rental in Miami

How you pick up the car at Miami airport

The rental companies we work with are not inside the terminal: they all operate out of the Rental Car Center, a dedicated airport building that houses every company's desk.

Getting there is simple. After you collect your luggage, follow the signs for the MIA Mover, a free automated train that departs from the third level. The ride takes three minutes and drops you right at the rental car centre. No taxi or shuttle needed.

One thing we get asked often: we do not offer a meet-and-greet service at the terminal door. Nobody will be waiting for you with a sign. We work only with the airport's official rental companies, which is what guarantees the car is there, the contract is the right one, and you have backing if something goes wrong.

What you need in order to pick up the car

Three things, and all three are mandatory. Without any one of them the rental company will not hand over the vehicle, no exceptions.

A credit card in the main driver's name. This is our most common question: you cannot pay cash at pick-up, use a debit card, or use a card belonging to a relative or friend. The rental company places a hold as a deposit and needs a credit card bearing the name of whoever will be driving.

A physical, valid driving licence. In the United States a licence on your phone is not accepted. It has to be the physical card, and it has to remain valid for the whole rental period.

A valid passport and a minimum age of 21. Ages 21 to 24 can rent, with a young driver surcharge that we confirm before you book.

Florida tolls: how they work and what to choose

Tolls in Florida are automated. There are no booths and you cannot pay cash: a gantry reads the vehicle as it passes and the charge is recorded automatically. It is different from what most people are used to, and one of the things that causes the most confusion afterwards.

Rental companies offer two options. One is paying for each toll you cross, plus an administrative fee for every day you use it. The other is the unlimited pass, a flat daily rate that covers every toll you go through.

We always recommend the unlimited pass. It is the most transparent option: you know up front what you will pay, there are no surprises weeks later, and the maths is easy. With the other option you find out the total once you are already home, and it usually costs more than people expect.

Rates vary by rental company, so we confirm them along with your quote.

Which category suits your trip

The most requested for Miami is the mid-size 5-seat SUV. It has a good boot for suitcases, a comfortable ride height for the highways, and works well both in the city and if you carry on to Orlando or the Keys.

When the group is larger, the option is the 7-seat minivan: seven people fit with a boot that is still generous, something a seven-seat SUV does not always manage because the third row eats up all the cargo space.

For two people travelling light, a compact is more than enough. And if the plan is purely beach and cruising, the convertible is a Miami classic.

We guarantee the category, not the exact model: that is assigned by the rental company at hand-over.

You can leave Florida with the car

Yes. You can cross into other states without any problem, and it is common: plenty of people combine Miami with Orlando, or carry on to Georgia and the Carolinas.

All we ask is that you tell us when you book, so we can have it stated in the contract from the start.

More than one driver

In most cases the additional driver is included in the rate at no extra cost. It depends on the rental company and the rate type, so it is worth confirming with your adviser before booking.

The additional driver has to be present at pick-up and meet the same requirements as the main driver: a valid physical licence and a passport.

Parking in South Beach without overpaying

Parking in South Beach is expensive if you do not know where to go. The gap between a municipal public car park and a private one can be several times the price for the same hours.

Always look for the public ones: they are signposted, they are safe, and they cost considerably less.

And avoid valet parking whenever you can. It is convenient, but it is one of those costs that quietly adds up over a holiday without you noticing.

The mistakes that cost the most

Returning the car without refuelling. The most common one of all. The rental company charges for the missing fuel at a considerably higher price than any service station. Fill the tank before returning and keep the receipt.

Turning up with your licence on your phone. The digital version is not accepted in the United States. Without the physical card they will not hand over the car and you lose the booking.

Signing without reading. Extras are sometimes offered at the counter, and they end up included in the contract you sign. Later, on your card statement, charges appear that make no sense. Take two minutes: check what is included and what has been added before you sign. A rental company cannot charge you for an extra you did not sign for.

Why Miami

It is one of those destinations that works all year round. The weather is on your side almost always, the food scene is outstanding, and shopping is still a reason to travel in its own right.

And something people underrate: every neighbourhood has its own identity. South Beach is nothing like Wynwood, Brickell or Coral Gables. With your own car you cover them at your own pace, without depending on timetables or ride apps that get expensive over longer distances.

Both Spanish and English are spoken, so getting around is easy even if you are not fluent.