Miami International Airport:
More than 937,000 passengers are expected at Miami International Airport during the eight-day Thanksgiving travel week from Monday, November 23 to Monday, November 30. Traffic at MIA is projected to be up 6.7 percent over the same travel period in 2014. The busiest days are expected to be Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, with more than 130,000 passengers projected each day. Below are some tips to make traveling through MIA easier:
Departing passengers should arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and two and a half hours before an international flight to allow sufficient time for parking, airline check-in and screening at the security checkpoint.
Ample parking is available in the Dolphin and Flamingo garages for a maximum daily rate of $17 or $2 every 20 minutes up to two hours and 40 minutes. For ticket counter and parking locations, go to http://www.miami-airport.com/where_to_park.asp.
Valet parking is available at the Dolphin Garage on the departure level outside of North Terminal D or the Flamingo Garage on the departure level outside of South Terminal J. Valet parking allows customers to drop off their vehicle with a parking attendant and walk directly to MIA’s check-in area. Rates are $18 for less than three hours or daily for $30. Learn more at http://www.miami-airport.com/parking_rates.asp.
Orange Line Metrorail service is another transportation option to and from MIA, available for a fare of only $2.25 each way. Overnight and long-term parking is available for up to 30 days at $4.50 per night at the Earlington Heights, Okeechobee and South Miami Metrorail stations. Long-term parking must be prepaid. For more information, go to http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/miami-international-airport-station.asp.
Tri-Rail, the commuter train that links Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, can also get passengers to and from MIA. Tri-Rail has a dedicated station at the Miami Intermodal Center that connects to MIA via the MIA Mover, an automated people mover.
Anyone parking at MIA with a disabled parking permit or license tag must pay standard airport parking rates unless they are: 1) parking for less than two hours; or 2) if the vehicle has specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, foot or hand controls for use by a person with a disability or any vehicle displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit. In accordance with Florida state law and Miami-Dade County code, anyone with a disabled parking permit or license tag who meets either of those exceptions is allowed to park free of charge.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport:
More than 540,000 travelers are expected to fly in and out of Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) during the Thanksgiving holiday. The holiday period runs from Tuesday, November 24th, to Monday, November 30th, 2015. The Broward County Aviation Department anticipates an average of 77,000 passengers a day during the seven-day travel period. This is a 6.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Aviation officials expect the busiest travel day to be Sunday, November 29.
Parking:
SunPass Plus is available in all of the Airport’s parking facilities. Travelers can use SunPass Plus as a convenient way to pay for parking using a SunPass transponder. The traveler must use a SunPass Plus lane to enter and exit for the account to be charged. With SunPass Plus entry, no ticket is required.
FLL has a variety of parking options. Travelers may choose from Hourly Parking in the garages ($36/day), Curbside Valet ($25/day), Daily Parking in the garages ($15/day), or Airport Economy Parking ($7.50/day). Travelers should allow extra time for parking during this holiday period.
Airport Economy Parking is located west of the Airport with 4,010 available spaces. Shuttle buses run every 15 minutes to bring passengers to and from the terminals. To access the Airport Economy Parking located at 2755 S.W. 42nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, take Griffin Road just west of I-95 to Anglers Avenue, turn right, and follow the signs.
Auto detailing is available in the valet parking areas. Contact SP+ Parking for details on services at 954-359-0200.
The Cell Phone Waiting Area is located under the main entrance roadway to the airport. As you enter the airport on the main entrance roadway, stay in the left lanes, follow the sign to All Parking and bear left. Then follow the signs to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. This road will bring you around the Rental Car Center to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. If the free Cell Phone Waiting Area is full, please proceed to our hourly parking of the garage.
Latest information:
Travelers can tune into the Airport Radio Station, 1670 AM, for current information on available parking. The station can be received approximately two miles from the airport.
We remind all passengers to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Remember the Transportation Security Administration 3-1-1 liquid rules for carry-on’s = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. Call your airline or check their web site for the latest information on flight status.