Save Money On Transport When Traveling
I am definitely not a conventional traveler, but I see that as a good thing. One of the things I avoid like the plague is taking expensive methods of transportation like taxis or shuttles. When at all possible I really try to take public transportation.
Public Transport To The Port Of Miami
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were in Miami for a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway. I researched options for public transport to the Port of Miami from the Hyatt Regency in Downtown, but did not find any. While a taxi would have been about $12, I still wanted to find another way.
Our first option for public transport to the Port of Miami was to take the city’s free Metromover to a station near the bridge that goes to the port. That would still require us to walk 2-3 miles over the bridge which didn’t seem very attractive. Then I found another option.
The free Miami Trolley runs several routes that stop all over Downtown Miami. The Coral Way route has recently added a stop at the Port of Miami. From our hotel, it was a 2 minute walk to the nearest trolley stop.
At the Port of Miami, the trolley stops at the first terminal over the bridge, meaning that you may still have to walk a bit depending on where your ship is docked. In our case, The Getaway was docked at the last terminal, meaning we had about a 15 minute walk. As a comparison, the MSC Divina was docked right next to the trolley stop.
If you are carrying a lot of luggage, then I don’t recommend doing this. We travel very light and are used to walking with our luggage, so this was a perfect solution. For people staying farther away from the port, the savings could be $20 or more over taking a taxi.
Another Small Transport Hack
On our way home, my wife and I could not get anyone to pick us up at the airport, so we used a different trick. The Las Vegas rental car facility is about 3 miles closer to our house. It also has a taxi stand which is never busy unlike the one at the airport.
By taking the free rental car shuttle and then catching a taxi at the facility, we saved about $12-$13 on our taxi fare and most likely didn’t lose any time since there wasn’t a wait for the taxi.
Over Time The Savings Adds Up
In these two circumstances I saved about $25 combined. It may seem like a small amount, but as someone who has traveled to 70 countries, I assure you it adds up. I am not going to lie and say strategies like these have never backfired, but overall we have had great success in saving money with limited inconveniences.
Do you have any tips or strategies for saving money on public transport? What is the craziest thing you have done to save money on the road? Let me know!
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Great tip!
I’m going on a cruise in a few weeks. I read there was a bus to take me downtown, but was looking for public transportation that stops at the Port. thanks so much!
Hello!
I’ll be going to Miami in September 2015 and intend to take the Trolley to the Port of Miami in order to board the Royal Caribbean ship.
Would you know tell me how many points he has stops in the port and where they are located?
In Google Maps I saw a stop sign near the terminal J and the other in front of 1015 N America Way.
Thank you.
Juliana
Hi Juliana! The first picture in the post shows where the trolley stops. When we rode in September, the trolley only stopped on America Way across from the World Trade Center. It is very close to the first two terminals over the bridge. Thanks and enjoy your cruise!
[…] much to those who arrive via taxi or shuttle, however for the braver souls trying to make it by public transport, there will be a little […]
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Thanks for the trolley tip! Love Miami’s public transport system. Aside from the free Metromover (so rare to be able to ride anything for free these days) I recall being able to go from the airport to downtown very inexpensively (or free; can’t remember). The trolley stop at the port wasn’t available, or I didn’t know about it, last time I cruised from Miami over a year ago. Will surely keep it in mind for next time.