Miami offers several areas ideal for travelers who prefer not to use a car. Thanks to the various transportation options available in the city, getting around Miami without a car is quite manageable.
Miami-Dade Transit operates an extensive public transportation system, including buses and the Metrorail. The Metrorail connects key areas of Miami, such as Downtown, Brickell, and the airport, while buses cover a wider range of neighborhoods and destinations.
The Metromover is a free automated people mover system that loops around Downtown Miami, Brickell, and Omni neighborhoods. It’s an excellent option for getting around these areas quickly and conveniently.
Miami has an expanding network of bike lanes and trails, making biking a popular and eco-friendly way to get around. Several bike rental companies offer hourly or daily rentals, and many neighborhoods have bike-sharing programs like Citi Bike.
Finally, many areas of Miami, especially Downtown, Brickell, and South Beach, are pedestrian-friendly and offer plenty of sidewalks and crosswalks. Walking is a great way to explore these vibrant neighborhoods and enjoy the city’s sights and sounds.
Here are ten of the best areas to stay in Miami without a car:
- South Beach
- Miami Beach Boardwalk
- Brickell
- Downtown Miami
- Wynwoody
- Mid-Beach
- Coconut Grove
- Coral Gables
- Little Havana
- Surf Side
Wherever you decide to stay, book via our luxury travel concierge to get prioritized room upgrades, free breakfast, welcome amenities, and more.
1. South Beach
Known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and pedestrian-friendly Ocean Drive, South Beach is a popular choice for travelers who want to explore Miami on foot or by bicycle.
Book a hotel here on the strip, and you can walk anywhere. You can walk to some of Miami’s best bars, lounges, and clubs. You can walk to all the seafront cafes and restaurants, and you can walk to the many hotels, designer stores, art studios, food marts, eateries, and clubs on the roads behind.
Crucially, you are right on the white sand of South Beach, so you don’t need to walk any distance to hit the sands and try the nightlife.
There are buses that take you up the coast to Surfside so if you want to try a cocktail at the most glamorous resort in the area, Four Seasons Surfside, which is one of the best Four Seasons hotels in the world, you can take a bus up the coast from your base in South Beach.
There are also buses from the airport to the center of South Beach, so public transport to and from this area of Miami isn’t a problem.
If you can stretch to it, the Ritz-Carlton South Beach is one of the best Marriott hotels in Miami and one of the best luxury hotels on South Beach, with one of the best club lounges in Miami. Another option is Hilton Bentley Miami, South Beach which is one of the best Hilton hotels in Miami. This beachfront hotel is in the “SoFi” enclave of South Beach, a short walk from dining, nightlife, and the boardwalk.
2. Miami Beach Boardwalk
The Miami Beach Boardwalk stretches along the oceanfront from South Beach to North Beach and offers scenic views and easy access to hotels, restaurants, and attractions. If you like to walk beside the ocean, any hotels along this strip would be ideal for your stay in Miami.
Pick a hotel near South Beach if you are looking for nightlife, or you can get away with a hotel further from the South Beach party zone if you are looking for a more sedate vacation. While you can walk all the way up the beach on the boardwalk, buses also travel up and down on the beach road behind the hotels that are located on the beachfront, so it is easy to get up and down this long, thin island that makes up the Miami beaches.
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection is a great hotel option here, right on the Miami Beach Boardwalk, so you can walk everywhere from here.
3. Brickell
This downtown neighborhood offers a mix of upscale hotels, restaurants, and shopping options, along with easy access to public transportation, including the Metromover and Metrorail.
Some of the best bars for Happy Hour are housed in Bricknell along with the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel and Four Seasons Miami is also on the border of the Bricknell area. If you put on your walking boots, you can grab a coffee or a drink at either of these luxury venues and get there on foot.
4. Downtown Miami
With its central location and proximity to attractions like Bayfront Park and Bayside Marketplace, Downtown Miami is a convenient base for exploring the city without a car. The public transport system is good here, and you are not far from Bricknell, which houses a bunch of fantastic luxury hotels.
5. Wynwoody
Wynwoody is known for its colorful street art and vibrant arts scene. Wynwood is a trendy neighborhood with plenty of galleries, shops, and restaurants within walking distance. This area is ideal for exploring on foot and has lots of art shops.
6. Mid-Beach
Situated between South Beach and North Beach, Mid-Beach offers a quieter alternative with upscale hotels and resorts along the oceanfront. This area is connected by bus services that travel up and down the main road that connects North Beach to South Beach, so it is a synch to get to and from.
7. Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is a historic neighborhood featuring lush parks, waterfront dining, and boutique shopping, all within walking distance of each other. The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove is probably the best hotel in this area, but unusually, there’s no club lounge at this Ritz-Carlton hotel.
8. Coral Gables
Coral Gables has tree-lined streets, Mediterranean-inspired architecture, and upscale hotels, restaurants, and shops. You can walk around here without a problem, but the beach is some distance, and you will need to take public transport to get to the shores.
9. Little Havana
Experience Miami’s Cuban culture in Little Havana, where you can explore colorful street murals, sample Cuban cuisine, and enjoy live music at local venues.
10. Surfside
Surfside is a heavenly area on the beach. It sits north of North Beach. If you can afford it, stay at Four Seasons Surfside for a night. This hotel is the stuff of dreams; you won’t want to leave on foot or otherwise. If you want to explore, hop on a bus that will take you down to North Beach and South Beach.
One final thought from our team at luxury travel diary. Last time we went to Miami we took a bus all the way up the keys from Miami to Key West. Key West is a brilliant base if you like exploring on foot so you might want to bolt a stay her onto your trip to Miami.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Image © SeanPavonePhoto / Adobe Stock.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
