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Miami Public Transportation Info... 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.
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 C/K/51/S/Night Owl 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 - Downtown Miami - goes from Hallover Beach to Downtown Miami
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 Downtown Miami"
If you are going towards Miami Beach, the bus will read "K Hallover Beach" or "K Diplomat Mall"
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) 51 - Flagler Max goes from South Beach to Downtown and way beyond into West Miami
This bus is a Max bus meaning it does NOT stop at every bus stop. It only runs on weekdays and is quicker than taking the C or K but it also runs less often. If you see this bus, take it, it'll be a little quicker, but also don't wait for it the whole night either.
If you are going towards Downtown Miami, the bus will read "51 Flager Max/Max 137th St"
If you are going towards Miami Beach, the bus will read "51 Flagler Max/Max Miami Beach"
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...te.asp?route=51
Weekday Schedule (6am-7pm) Downtown to Miami Beach
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...tbound&route=51
Weekday Schedule (7am-8pm) Miami Beach to Downtown
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/tran...tbound&route=51
4) 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
5) 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 ]]
(CW)&route=246
Weekday Schedule (11pm-6am) Counter Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
(CC)&route=246
Saturday Schedule (11pm-6am) Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
(CW)&route=246
Saturday Schedule (11pm-6am) Counter Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
(CC)&route=246
Sunday Schedule (11pm-6am) Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
(CW)&route=246
Sunday Schedule (11pm-6am) Counter Clockwise
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
(CC)&route=246
6) 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
7) 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
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, K or 51. 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: 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: 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. ;)
Super short version of this info...
hey, its easy fool. just listen up. if you're staying on the ocean side of miami beach, take the C, K or 51 to Omni bus terminal. if you're on the west side, take the S to omni bus terminal. if you are way up north, look up maps and figure out if you can take the C or K or S. once you get to the omni bus terminal. jump on that little metro mover thing for 2 stops its free. then get off and walk like a block or two to space or parkwest or nocturnal or pawn shop. its in easy. and i didnt post links for nothing. each bus ride costs $1.50 and they dont give you change. the buses dont run 24 hours. so if you leave the club at 4am, then you're gonna have to cab it.
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 |
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| infinitetrance |
| Wow! This needs a sticky for sure.. Thanks Flo for taking all the time to put this together.. I will definitely be taking advantage of this.. |
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| ArminD1981 |
| WOW Thanks for taking the time to post this information.... u focking rule :tongue2 |
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| iammesol |
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| PatMcGroin |
| just trying to help. and if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask away. |
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| DiegoParra32 |
| definately buying you a few rounds if we are at the same event. |
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| MJM74 |
| quote: | Originally posted by infinitetrance
Wow! This needs a sticky for sure.. Thanks Flo for taking all the time to put this together.. I will definitely be taking advantage of this.. |
:toocool:
Thanks Flo for all of your help on this one. Greatly appreciated.
:toocool: |
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| epdarks |
Flo coming through HUGE!!! :eyes:
THANKS! |
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| djmanu |
Why do you say the bus don't run 24/24 when I see the S bus does it ?
I will try to catch the S by night, should not be impossible ... :D |
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| AMMORA |
| for this insanely helpful peice of information you have earned yourself not one, but 2 drinks of your choice! thaaaank you~ |
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| PatMcGroin |
| quote: | Originally posted by djmanu
Why do you say the bus don't run 24/24 when I see the S bus does it ?
I will try to catch the S by night, should not be impossible ... :D |
i was figuring some of these things out as i was writing it up. i always knew there was a night owl bus but i was not aware the S runs all night.
regardless, i dont really recommend people try taking these buses in the middle of the night. not only are the buses themselves very sketchy that late but so is waiting at the bus stop. and do you really want to be waiting up to an hour in the middle of the night? i know i wouldnt. |
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| AMMORA |
| quote: | Originally posted by djmanu
Why do you say the bus don't run 24/24 when I see the S bus does it ?
I will try to catch the S by night, should not be impossible ... :D |
the bus i waited over an hour for last year was the S bus...there were TWO S buses actually but neither driver would go to the beach...it was insane. i def. don't recommend trying to catch the S bus at 4am and the crackheads at the bus stop make it even worse--begging for cigarettes or cash...or a "hotdog jelly sammich" like the one asked me for haha. if you're with a group of people, just split the cab back. |
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