Cheap Flights to Miami

Discover Miami

Cheap Flights to Miami, U.S.A

Why visit Miami?

The sensual city of Miami beckons travellers from all over the world. This multicultural town combines glossy skyscrapers, with colourful art deco buildings, and a long sandy coastline that gleams white next to the sparkling azure shore. Miami blends frothy glamour with an urban backbone, and a holiday hotspot with a working, breathing, lived-in metropolis. Make your way to Miami and find out why it is dubbed the Magic City.

Things to do in Miami

For most of Miami’s attractions, you need to head to Miami Beach. Strolling along Ocean Drive will take you past the lovely pastel Art Deco buildings that have become synonymous with this city; see the Beacon, the Waldorf Towers, the Cardozo, and the Colony Hotel. Day or night, visitors can enjoy the drive and Miami’s famous warm weather by sitting in one of the numerous cafes or restaurants and throw back a few cocktails under the sunny blue sky, or the neon lights of this renowned street.

Of course a big part of Miami’s draw are those sandy shores, the most popular being South Beach, where locals and tourists can enjoy the pleasant breezes, temperate waters, and party scene that this beach attracts.

For visitors wanting to take advantage of the excellent shopping in the city, head to the Bayside Marketplace, where there are loads of retailers selling brand names, and local wares. You can also feel refreshed by the number of cafes that line this part of town, or stop to enjoy the live entertainment that takes place every day. For foodies, Little Havana is the place to be, where you can soak in the city’s Latin vibe, and be bowled over by the Cuban cuisine; try the croquetas, mojitos, empanadas and ropa vieja.

If you’re travelling with children, stop by the interactive Miami’s Children’s Museum, or take them to see the NBA team The Heat at the American Airlines Arena. If you want to go further afield, you can take the family to the extraordinary Everglades, a protected national park, and home of thousands of alligators and beautiful birdlife.

However, if you don’t fancy the idea of staring down an alligator, head south to the gorgeous Keys, where the beaches are some of the most pristine in the world, with stretches suitable for romancing couples, lively families, or friendship groups looking to relax.

Best time to visit Miami

· Miami doesn’t fluctuate too much during the seasons, but typically the best time to come to the city is between March and May, and sees daily temperatures of 19-29°C.

· Winters (December-February) are the busiest time in the city, when the weather is dry and the highs are a lovely 24-26°C, making it the most temperate period in Miami. But prices are high, and the crowds are big.

· Summer into the autumn (June-November) moves from stifling hot and muggy weather directly into the hurricane season, so either pack lots of sunscreen or a sturdy waterproof.

Best time to book

· For long-haul flights to the United States, you’re best to book around 28 weeks ahead.

Expect to pay

· United States Dollar (USD).

· A coffee in this lovely city by the sea should come to about 4USD ($5.25).

Arriving in Miami by plane

· Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary aviation facility for the city’s incoming international flights. There are smaller airports, such as the Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport (FLL) that service some international flights, as well as flights around North America and the Caribbean. Airlines that travel between Australia and Miami are American Airlines, LATAM Airlines Group, Air Canada, Delta, Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways, Qantas, British Airways

· Miami International (MIA) is the most likely airport you will fly into, and it is the closest to the city at about 16km away. You can access the internet for a fee, use ATMs, currency exchange counters, a business centre, a chapel, a pharmacy, showers, information desks, duty free shops, and lots of restaurants and cafes.

· Almost all flights to Miami will involve a couple of stops on the American continent. Usually Los Angeles (LAX), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ) or Chicago (ORD).

Visa requirements

· Australians wanting to visit the United States will need go through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to be granted a stay in the country. For more information on how to apply, and what requirements there are for the visa waiver program, go to the smart traveller website.

Transportation to city centre

· A taxi to Miami’s popular South Beach will cost you a flat rate of 32USD ($42) or around 22USD ($29) for a trip to downtown.

· You can take a train, a bus, or organise an airport transfer to meet you when you arrive.

· For those wanting to rent a car to explore Miami’s surrounds, then you can book one at one of the many rental agencies available to you when you land, or reserve a car of your choice with our search tool before you depart.

Where to stay in Miami

· South Beach is the most popular area to stay, but you will pay for the pleasure. You can find budget to high-end hotels here, but all will skew more expensive than other parts of the city.

· Miami Beach, just north of South Beach isn’t as chic, but it is much more affordable, and close to all the beachside attractions.

· Downtown isn’t the flashy part of Miami, but it is great if you are in town on business, as there are many hotels that cater specifically to business travellers.

Useful tips before you go

· Tipping is a huge part of the culture here, and in big cities the standard amount is between 15 and 20% for restaurants, 10% for taxis or hairdressers, and a couple of dollars for bar staff and concierge services.

Please note that the information provided above is accurate as of June 2016