What is Miami International Airport's new Rental Car Center like?

February 15, 2013 10:39 AM

I'm flying into MIA late tomorrow night and renting a car from Alamo before heading to my hotel on the FL turnpike. Can you tell me what this process will be like?

Its been a few years since I've been to MIA and it looks like there is a new Rental Car Center off the airport connected by some sort of people mover. Is it as easy to find as the MIA website says (on the 3rd level b/t the Dolphin and Flamingo garages)?

Also, once I'm driving I want to go east on the Dolphin Expressway and then south on the Turnpike to get to the hotel. I'm sure it will all be easy, but is there any bad signage or anything unexpected I need to look out for.

I don't need any surprised at 11 pm after a 13 hour flight. Thanks for answering my bi-annual MIA question!

posted by pandabearjohnson to travel & transportation around Miami, FL (3 answers total)

I was just there last month and it seemed to take an unusually long time to get to the car rental area.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 12:37 PM on February 15

I've also used the new RCC. It's fine, but it's a hike from the terminals (or at least D) to the people mover and then you've got to cross the cavernous counter area and go down several escalators to get to the cars. Despite the distance, I much prefer it to DFW, and it's less of a wait than the bus at FLL. I seem to remember it taking about 10 minutes to get from baggage claim in terminal D to my rental car. I arrived there before our bags made it to the baggage claim carousel, anyway.

From baggage claim, go up the elevator to the third level and follow the signs. If there cease to be signs, just continue until you see the sign pointing toward the people mover station, which will be on your left if you're coming from the elevators in terminal D. I seem to remember it being pretty lit up and obvious once you're there.

Getting out of the airport in the car is easy, signs are everywhere. Getting back to the terminal is slightly more complicated, but still easily doable. It only took me one U turn. ;)
posted by wierdo at 2:15 PM on February 15

It's definitely a hike but once you're there, it's smooth sailing. I should probably note that I tend to walk very quickly, so what took me five minutes of walking could take you much more.
posted by dfriedman at 2:25 PM on February 15