To talk about transportation in Miami, I must first be honest.

Living in Miami solely on public transportation is realistically very difficult.

It is not a system that covers the entire city with just one subway line like in Seoul. Based on that reality, I have organized the transportation options in Miami.

Miami-Dade Transit consists of Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus. Metrorail is a light rail system with 25 stations and about 25 miles (40 km) of track. It starts in North Miami Gardens, runs through downtown and Brickell, and extends south to Coral Gables, with a branch connecting to Miami International Airport.

Metromover is an automated people mover that circulates through downtown Miami, making it convenient for getting around downtown and is free to use. Metrobus operates over 100 routes, but the long wait times and travel times that are often several times longer than by car make it less practical.

Brightline is a new transportation option in Miami. It is a private high-speed rail that connects Miami Central Station to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, taking about 30 minutes for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale segment and about 3.5 hours for Miami-Orlando.

There is also an MIA station connected to Miami International Airport, making airport travel more convenient.

Road traffic is dominated by I-95, the main highway running north-south through Miami. The congestion during rush hours on I-95 is a chronic issue of Miami life, with travel times typically increasing 2-3 times during the morning from 7-9 AM and the afternoon from 4-7 PM. The Palmetto Expressway (SR-826) and Dolphin Expressway (SR-836) are also major toll roads, and having a SunPass electronic toll pass is convenient. Uber and Lyft are widely used in Miami.

Ride-sharing is active in key areas like South Beach, downtown, and Wynwood, and it is often used as a means of transportation after drinking. Citi Bike Miami is a bike-sharing program available in some areas of Miami Beach and downtown, but its coverage is limited.

In conclusion, having a car is essential for comfortable daily life in Miami. The costs of maintaining a car, insurance, and gasoline should definitely be included in your budget planning.