Category Archives: Transportation

Car Rental at Opa-locka Executive Airport (OPF): Options and How to Save

August 24, 2020 Mike

Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport (OPF) has no rental car center and no row of rental counters. Cars are arranged through your FBO or delivered by a local agency, so a little planning before you land saves both time and money.

This guide explains how renting a car at Opa-locka works, what your options are, and how to keep the cost down. Airport details come from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, checked in October 2026.

Opa-locka Executive Airport at a glance

Address: 14201 NW 42nd Avenue, Opa-locka, FL 33054
What it is: The largest of Miami-Dade County’s general aviation airports. It serves business, private and charter flights and acts as a reliever for Miami International.
FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Fontainebleau Aviation and Signature Flight Support
U.S. Customs: On site, 9 a.m. to midnight daily, with advance notice required
Open: 24 hours a day

The airport is about 7 miles north of Miami International Airport. The county puts drive times at roughly 20 minutes to MIA, 30 minutes to Miami Beach and 35 minutes to downtown Miami, before traffic. More is on the county’s Opa-locka airport page.

How car rental works at OPF

Because there is no central rental facility, the car comes to you. There are three common ways to set it up.

1. Ask your FBO

FBOs commonly arrange rental cars for arriving passengers and crew, so ask yours when you set up handling. It is the simplest route. It is not always the cheapest, so ask which company supplies the car and what the total will be.

2. Book a local agency that serves the FBOs

Local companies deliver cars to the FBO of your choice. One example is OPA-LOCKA Airport Rent a Car, which says it leaves the keys and rental contract at the counter at Atlantic Aviation, Fontainebleau Aviation or Signature, so you can sign and drive. According to its website it also offers:

A Toyota fleet that is replaced every six months
One-way rentals to Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports
Free 24-hour roadside assistance
A price match against advertised Opa-locka rental rates

3. Take a ride to a rental office

If you want a specific brand or car class, a rideshare or taxi to the MIA Rental Car Center takes about 20 minutes and gives you every major company in one building. Several independent agencies in Miami also pick customers up.

Six ways to save on an Opa-locka rental

Reserve before you take off. Give the agency your FBO, tail number and estimated arrival time. Last-minute requests at a general aviation airport can cost more and limit your choice.
Compare the total, not the daily rate. Florida adds a $2 per day rental surcharge and sales tax to every rental. Ask for the all-in figure.
Check your own coverage. Your auto policy or credit card may already cover a rental. Know the answer before anyone offers you a damage waiver.
Decide about tolls early. The Gratigny Expressway (SR 924) beside the airport and Florida’s Turnpike are both cashless. See our guide to rental car tolls in Miami.
Use a one-way rental if you fly out of another airport. Dropping the car at MIA or Fort Lauderdale can beat paying for a ride back to Opa-locka. Ask about the drop fee first.
Refuel yourself. Fill the tank before you return the car so you are not billed the agency’s refueling rate.

Returning the car

Ask where the car should be left and who takes the keys, especially if you depart outside office hours. Photograph the car, the fuel gauge and the odometer when you drop it, and ask for a closed receipt by email.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a rental car counter at Opa-locka Executive Airport?

There is no shared rental car center. Rentals are arranged through the FBOs or delivered to them by local agencies.

How far is Opa-locka airport from Miami?

About 7 miles north of Miami International Airport. Plan on roughly 35 minutes to downtown Miami and 30 minutes to Miami Beach, more at rush hour.

Can I pick up at Opa-locka and return at Miami International?

Some agencies offer one-way rentals between Opa-locka, MIA and Fort Lauderdale. Confirm the fee when you book.

What do I need to rent?

A valid driver’s license and a payment card in the renter’s name, as at any other location. Our guide to renting a car in Miami covers age rules, deposits and insurance.

The bottom line

At Opa-locka the rental is arranged, not picked off a lot. Book ahead with your FBO and arrival time, compare the full price, and sort out tolls and insurance before you land.

Airport details were checked against Miami-Dade Aviation Department sources in October 2026. Rental services and prices change, so confirm with the company you book.

Business, Drivers, Lifestyle, Limo Service, Miami Attractions, Transportation

Special Occasions Call for Special Transportation

October 8, 2013 Mike 4 Comments

Special occasions call for special transportation. Therefore, if you are looking for luxurious, reliable, and affordable limo service in Miami, then Miami Limo Service is the right choice to meet your every limousine need.

Limousines are synonymous with elegance, fun, and celebration. Once upon a time, Cinderella had her regal coach. Well, for today’s sophisticated brides, a limousine represents that fairytale coach of folklore. In addition to the dreamy and romantic aspects of being whisked away in a limo on your special day, limousines make fulfilling the wedding transportation needs of your family and bridal party easier and safer.

Booking a limousine for your teen prince or princess and attending homecoming or prom, offers them secure transportation, too. You may hope they do not drink, but if they do, you will be assured they will have a safe and dependable way home.

And are you married couples looking to liven up date night? When you whisk your beloved significant other off in a limo, you will be making your date night extraordinary.

Of course, limos are not only for brides and promgoers. You have finally established the date for that long-awaited reunion beach weekend with your former college sorority sisters. What could be more fun and convenient than renting a limousine for the weekend? And a getaway weekend should be all about relaxation and fun. A weekend like this should not be about stressing over navigating your way around an unfamiliar city.

Travel writers have crowned Miami with the honor of being the “Cruise Capital of the World.” So, with the hope of experiencing the cruise of your dreams, you are now Miami-bound. To make this occasion more momentous, consider renting a limo to transport you from the airport to the cruise terminal. When you hire an affordable airport limo service to take you to your cruise ship, you are kicking off your cruise celebration in high style, and all you have to do is relax and enjoy the Miami scenery.

As a business owner, when you need to impress a prospective client, nothing says success and refinement like personalized limousine service.

Whether it is the fairytale wedding, the girls’ weekend in South Beach, the grand cruise of a lifetime, or the breakout business deal, when you rent a limo, you will be giving your event that touch of class that only a limousine can provide.

Business, Car Rental, Cars, Florida Travel, Transportation

MIA Rental Car Center: How to Pick Up and Return a Car at Miami Airport

January 17, 2013 Mike

Most cars rented at Miami International Airport are picked up in one building: the MIA Rental Car Center. It is not in the terminal, but getting there is free and takes only a few minutes.

This guide walks through pickup and return, lists the companies on site, and flags the things that trip up first-time visitors. Details were checked against the airport’s website in October 2026.

Where it is

MIA Rental Car Center 3900 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33142

The center sits just east of the terminals and is part of the Miami Intermodal Center, the airport’s ground transportation hub. The same complex holds the airport’s Metrorail and Tri-Rail stations, so it is also where you catch a train or bus.

How to get there from your flight

Collect your bags at baggage claim.
Go up to the third level of the terminal.
Follow the signs along the moving walkways to the MIA Mover station, between the Dolphin and Flamingo parking garages.
Ride the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center. It is free and drops you at the customer service lobby.

Signs for “MIA Mover” and “Rental Car Center” start at baggage claim. If you have a lot of luggage, grab a cart before you head up.

Rental companies at the center

The airport lists these companies inside the Rental Car Center:

ACE Rent A Car
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Carnival Rent A Car
Dollar
Enterprise
Hertz
National
Payless
Royal
Sixt
Thrifty

Off-site companies

A number of other agencies operate near the airport rather than inside the center, including Fox, Easirent, Green Motion, NU Car Rentals and U-Save. On request, they pick customers up right outside the Rental Car Center lobby. If you booked one of these, call when you arrive at the lobby and confirm exactly where to wait.

The roster and phone numbers are on the airport’s rental car page. That list was last updated in December 2022, so confirm the pickup location shown in your own reservation.

Hours, and the late-flight problem

The Rental Car Center building is open 24 hours a day. The counters inside are another matter. The airport notes that some companies close between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

If your flight lands late:

Check your company’s counter hours before you book, not after.
Put your flight number in the reservation so the counter knows about delays.
If you are delayed past closing, call the local number, not the national reservation line.

At the counter

A few things speed up pickup and prevent problems later:

Bring the right card. The renter’s name must match the driver’s license and the credit card. Debit card policies vary by company, and some require extra documents or a larger hold.
Ask about tolls. The expressways next to the airport are cashless, and every company handles tolls differently. Read our guide to rental car tolls in Miami before you get to the counter.
Check the insurance you already have. Your own auto policy or credit card may cover a rental. Know the answer before you are asked.
Photograph the car. Walk around it before leaving the garage and take pictures of every panel, the wheels, the windshield and the fuel gauge.

Driving out

Two toll roads sit right outside the center: the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) toward downtown and Miami Beach, and the Airport Expressway (SR 112) toward I-95. Neither accepts cash.

If you want to avoid tolls, set your navigation app to “avoid tolls” before you leave the garage. If you are new to driving here, Driving in Miami: 7 Fast Facts You Need to Know is worth five minutes.

Returning your car

Navigate to 3900 NW 25th Street and follow the “Rental Car Return” signs. The airport publishes driving directions to the center.
Follow the signs for your company to its return lane.
Wait for an agent to check the car in, and get a receipt, on paper or by email, before you walk away.
Take the MIA Mover back to the terminal.

Allow extra time. Between refueling, the return, the MIA Mover and the walk to your check-in counter, leave at least 30 minutes on top of the time you would normally arrive for your flight, and more at peak hours.

Refuel before you get close. Gas stations nearest the airport tend to charge the most, so fill up a few miles out.

Not renting? Other ways out of the airport

The Miami Intermodal Center next to the Rental Car Center is also the airport’s transit hub, reached by the same free MIA Mover:

Metrorail Orange Line to downtown and Brickell for $2.25.
Miami Beach Airport Express (Route 150) to Miami Beach every 30 minutes for $2.25.
Tri-Rail to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
The free City of Miami trolley, on the Flagami route.

Our guide to public transportation in Miami covers these in detail. Taxis and rideshares pick up at the terminal.

Frequently asked questions

Is the MIA Rental Car Center inside the airport?

It is on airport property but in a separate building. The free MIA Mover connects it to the terminal.

Is the MIA Mover free?

Yes. There is no charge to ride between the terminal and the Rental Car Center.

Is the Miami airport Rental Car Center open 24 hours?

The building is, but individual rental counters are not all open overnight. Some close between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., so confirm with your company.

Where do I return a rental car at Miami airport?

At the Rental Car Center, 3900 NW 25th Street. Follow the “Rental Car Return” signs to your company’s lane, then ride the MIA Mover to the terminal.

Can I return my rental car and go straight to the cruise port?

Yes. Return the car at the Rental Car Center, then take a rideshare or taxi to PortMiami. See our guide to getting to PortMiami from the airports.

The bottom line

Picking up at the MIA Rental Car Center is simple once you know the route: third level, MIA Mover, lobby. The parts that cost people money are the ones outside the building, such as tolls, late counter hours and fuel, so sort those out before you land.

Details were checked against Miami International Airport sources in October 2026. Rental companies and hours change, so confirm with yours.

Transportation

Things To Consider When Moving To Another State

December 5, 2011 Mike 1 Comment

Things To Consider When Moving To Another State

Changing locations is tricky business. There are so many things to think about to make moving as smooth as possible. It may be less of a hassle when you just have to move houses within the city. You do not have to look for new schools for the kids and think about state taxes. But the difficulty begins when you need to transfer to a totally new state.

Aside from the adjustment that you yourself has to make, you also have to consider how your family can cope with all the changes. Say you are currently living in Miami, Florida and you have to transfer to the other end of the country, say Berkeley, California. Before you can start with the detailed plans, you have to browse through Berkeley real estate sites to get a good idea on potential residential areas. You also have to consider your budget, its proximity to business centers and many more.

But when planning is done right, your impending move might not become so overwhelming. The key is to get all the significant information to help you come up with a good moving out plan. Here are some things that you need to consider when moving to another state. You may want to note these helpful guidelines to make your transfer hassle-free and systematic.

Find Affordable Places

When your reason for moving out is personal, you will have the opportunity to look for places that fall within your budget. Find towns and cities where the cost of living is within your means. You may want to check sites like www.oaklandrealestate.org where you will be able to look for houses with your desired price range.

Also consider the average salary that you will earn and how far you can stretch it out. If your job sent you for relocation then your transfer may be a little easier since your company may help you with your settlement.

Hire Reliable Moving Companies

The effort in getting your stuff transferred from one place to another is no joke, especially when moving across the country. Before selecting a moving company, sort your possessions thoroughly. Get rid of all the things that you do not need by giving them away or by organizing a garage sale. Aside from saving money you will not deal with needless stuff in your new place.

When you are ready to contact a moving company, do a background check first. Read reviews from other people. Also check the contract and ask about insurance before signing.

Know State Taxes Information

The state income tax can have a great impact when you relocate to a new state. Property tax and sales tax will also vary and you should have a know-how on how to deal with these. Just weigh the real pros and cons first as you evaluate the tax tables and this might help you in making your decisions.

Look for Schools for the Kids

You can start doing this by doing research online. There are helpful sites that can give factual information about the school’s environment, student-teacher ratio as well as enrollment by gender, cultural background and the like.

Florida Travel, Miami, Transportation

Miami Transportation Services: Every Way to Get Around

July 10, 2011 Mike 4 Comments

Miami has more ways to get around than most visitors expect: two rail systems run by the county, free trolleys, two regional trains, taxis, ride apps, rental cars and shared bikes. The trick is knowing which one fits the trip in front of you.

This overview covers each service, what it costs and when to use it, with links to our detailed guides. Fares and rates were checked against official sources in October 2026.

Miami transportation at a glance

Service	Best for	Cost
Metrorail	Airport, downtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables	$2.25 per trip
Metromover	Getting around downtown and Brickell	Free
Metrobus	Miami Beach and everywhere rail does not go	$2.25 per trip
City trolleys	Short hops within Miami and Miami Beach	Free
Tri-Rail	Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach	By distance on weekdays, $5 flat on weekends
Brightline	Fast trips to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando	Varies by train
Taxi	Airport and port trips, late nights	Metered
Ride apps	Door-to-door trips anywhere	Varies with demand
Rental car	Everglades, Keys, suburbs, day trips	Daily rate plus fees

Public transit

Miami-Dade Transit runs the core of the system.

Metrorail is the elevated train, with a line from the airport and a line from the northwest suburbs that meet and run through downtown to Dadeland South. It operates from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Metromover is a free automated train that loops through downtown and Brickell.
Metrobus covers the rest of the county. Route 150, the Miami Beach Airport Express, links the airport with Miami Beach.

You can pay by tapping a contactless bank card or phone at the gate or farebox. Fares are capped at $5.65 a day when you use the same card or device.

The City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach also run free trolleys on neighborhood routes. They are separate systems with their own maps and hours.

Regional trains

Tri-Rail is the commuter train through Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. It stops at the Miami airport station and at Fort Lauderdale’s airport station.
Brightline is the faster intercity train from MiamiCentral station downtown to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando.
Amtrak runs long-distance trains north from its Miami station.

Taxis

Taxis are easiest to find at the airport, the cruise port, major hotels and taxi stands in busy areas. Elsewhere, call or book ahead.

Miami-Dade County sets the meter rates:

$2.95 for the first sixth of a mile
$0.85 for each additional sixth of a mile up to one mile
$0.55 for each sixth of a mile after that
$0.40 per minute of waiting time

Trips that start at Miami International Airport add a $2 airport fee and have a $15 minimum. SUVs and vans may charge 30 percent above the meter. At the airport, use the official taxi stands outside baggage claim on the arrivals level and ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal. The airport posts current rates on its taxi page.

Ride apps

Uber and Lyft operate throughout the county and are usually the simplest way to go door to door. At the airport, pickups are on both the arrivals and departures levels, and the app shows the door number.

Prices rise with demand. Expect higher fares on weekend nights in South Beach, on cruise mornings, after big events and during heavy rain. If the quote looks high, compare it with a metered taxi.

Rental cars

A car is the right tool for the Everglades, the Keys, the suburbs and any day with several stops. In South Beach and downtown it can be more trouble than it is worth, because parking is expensive and limited.

If you rent, these guides will save you money:

New to the roads here? Start with Driving in Miami: 7 Fast Facts You Need to Know.

Private cars and limousines

For weddings, corporate travel or a group heading to the port, a pre-booked car service gives you a fixed price and a driver who is waiting when you arrive. Book with a licensed company, get the total in writing including tolls and gratuity, and confirm the pickup spot.

Bikes

Citi Bike Miami has more than 160 stations across Miami and Miami Beach, available around the clock. It works well for short trips along the beach and through neighborhoods such as South Beach and Brickell. Ride in bike lanes where they exist and take extra care on the causeways.

Getting to and from the airport and the port

From Miami International Airport, the free MIA Mover connects the terminal to the Miami Intermodal Center, where you find Metrorail, Tri-Rail, buses and the Rental Car Center.

Downtown or Brickell: Metrorail Orange Line, $2.25.
Miami Beach: Route 150 Miami Beach Airport Express, $2.25, or a taxi or ride app.
PortMiami: A ride app or taxi is simplest. See how to get to PortMiami from the airports.

Accessibility

Miami-Dade’s trains, buses and trolleys are wheelchair accessible. The county also runs Special Transportation Service, a door-to-door paratransit service for eligible riders at $3.50 a trip, and wheelchair-accessible taxis are available on request at the airport.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to get around Miami?

The Metromover and the city trolleys are free. Metrorail and Metrobus cost $2.25 a ride and no more than $5.65 a day when you tap the same card.

Do I need a car in Miami?

Not for a stay centered on downtown, Brickell and Miami Beach. You will want one for the Everglades, the Keys and most suburbs.

Are taxis or ride apps cheaper in Miami?

It depends on demand. Ride apps are often cheaper at quiet times and more expensive when demand surges. Taxis charge the same metered rate at any hour.

Is there a train from Miami airport to downtown?

Yes. The Metrorail Orange Line runs from the airport station to Government Center and Brickell.

The bottom line

Use the free Metromover and trolleys for short trips, Metrorail and Route 150 for the airport, a ride app or taxi late at night, and a rental car for the days you leave the city.

Fares and rates were checked against Miami-Dade County and Miami International Airport sources in October 2026. They change, so confirm before you travel.