From the runway to the lobby: my guide to the Miami International Airport transfer to Marlin Hotel
Ive driven the Miami International Airport transfer to Marlin Hotel hundreds of times as a private driver. Whether Im sliding up to the arrivals curb to pick up a bleary business traveler, shepherding a family with oversized luggage, or escorting a sun-struck couple to a downtown celebration, I treat this short route like a small, choreography-led production. From monitoring your flight to helping with bags at the hotel entrance, I aim to give you one thing above all: peace of mind.
Quick facts at a glance
- Distance: roughly 7–10 miles (11–16 km), depending on which door of MIA and exactly where the Marlin Hotels drop-off is located.
- Typical travel time: 15–25 minutes off-peak; 25–45 minutes during weekday rush; can climb higher during special events or heavy weekend traffic.
- Primary roads used: Le Jeune Road (NW 42nd Ave), SR-836 (Dolphin Expressway), I-95, Biscayne Boulevard (US-1), and sometimes the MacArthur Causeway for scenic detours.
- Pickup/meet point at MIA: arrivals curb or a pre-arranged meeting point at the baggage claim—drivers commonly wait in the airports cell phone lot and time the curbside meet for a smooth handoff.
- Hotel arrival: curbside drop-off with valet assistance at the front door; we coordinate with the Marlin Hotel to make the handoff seamless.
How long is the ride really? Typical travel time and distance explained
Distance
The transfer from Miami International Airport (MIA) to the Marlin Hotel in downtown Miami is short in miles but can be unpredictable in minutes. Depending on the terminal and the exact Marlin Hotel address, youre looking at roughly 7–10 miles. MIA is situated to the west of downtown, so you cross the urban spine of Miami as you head east.
Typical travel time
As a rule of thumb I give my passengers:
- Off-peak
- Weekday rush hours
- Weekend trends: Weekend travel is mixed—Saturday midday can be congested around tourist hotspots, and Sunday evenings often spike as flights return to other cities.
Traffic patterns and what I watch for
Miamis traffic flows like a living thing—different rhythms for different days and seasons. As someone behind the wheel every day, Ive learned to read those rhythms and adapt.
Weekday rush hours
- Morning inbound to downtown: 7:00–9:30 AM — lots of commuters heading into offices in Brickell and downtown. If you land in this window, allow an extra 10–20 minutes.
- Evening outbound from downtown to MIA: 4:00–7:00 PM — this is when the route back to the airport can be sticky.
Weekend and event-driven traffic
- Friday and Saturday nights: Wynwood, Brickell, and South Beach events mean local streets and causeways get busy well into the night.
- Art Basel, Miami Open, Ultra Music Festival, Heat home games, and big cruise embarkations: These create spikes and lane closures around downtown, Port of Miami, and the causeways.
- Holiday weekends: Expect heavy beach-bound traffic on SR-836 and MacArthur Causeway—plan for extra time.
Real-time adjustments I make as your driver
I constantly monitor:
- Real-time traffic apps and MIA flight trackers.
- Local police and DOT alerts for lane closures.
- Hotel event schedules when I know a convention or large meeting is underway.
Recommended routes and road names (what I actually drive)
There are a few standard ways to make the MIA to Marlin Hotel run. I choose a route based on the time of day, traffic, and the passenger’s preference (fastest vs most scenic).
Route A — My default: SR-836 East (Dolphin Expressway) to downtown
This is the route I use most often because its usually the fastest and most reliable.
- From MIA we head out on Le Jeune Road (NW 42nd Ave) or the terminal drive to get onto SR-836 East (Dolphin Expressway).
- SR-836 takes you through the heart of Miamis west-to-east corridor; we then merge toward I-95 briefly or take the SR-836 ramps into the downtown grid.
- We exit depending on your hotel door—often onto SW 2nd Ave / Biscayne Boulevard / NE 1st St depending on which approach is clearest.
Route B — Scenic alternative: MacArthur Causeway / Biscayne Blvd
If a guest asks for a scenic approach or if traffic on the Dolphin is heavy, I will take them over the MacArthur Causeway or along Biscayne Boulevard (US-1). This route offers those classic Miami bay views and skyline photo ops.
- We might still use SR-836 to get close, then swing onto I-395 / MacArthur Causeway for vistas of Biscayne Bay, the Port of Miami, and the city skyline.
- Arriving via Biscayne Boulevard puts you face-to-face with Bayside Marketplace, the American Airlines Arena (now Kaseya Center) area, and the waterfront parks.
Route C — Surface street alternatives
When expressways are at a standstill I can thread local roads — through neighborhoods like Little Havana or along Flag
