Getting there
United and American Airlines offer several daily non-stop flights to
Miami International Airport from Chicago's O'Hare. On American, the
round-trip fare -- requiring at least a 14-day advance reservation
and a weekday departure -- would be $260, including taxes, for a
Jan. 10 to Jan. 17 trip. On United, the lowest fare for the same
dates came to $291. Prices may change -- up or down -- without
notice, and restrictions do apply.
Getting around
I found a car useful for exploring the two cities. Miami sprawls and
Miami Beach stretches, and aside from rush hours, the traffic never
chokes. Bring plenty of quarters for the meters, however. Or, in
Miami Beach, purchase a debit card (widely available). It fits
neatly into a meter slot and gives up its value in 25-cent
increments until you pull it out.
Bus routes (Metrobus) and elevated trains (Metrorail)
cover much of Metropolitan Dade County. Both types of conveyance
charge $1.25, plus 25 cents for a transfer. Around downtown, the
driverless and completely automated Metromover elevated (two bits)
stops handily at several locations and connects with buses and
trains.
Flat rate taxi fares from the airport to
downtown and beach locations range from $18 to $41, depending upon
the destination. In town, it's $1.50 for the first quarter-mile and
25 cents for each additional 1/8 mile, or $3 for the first mile and
$2 for each mile thereafter.
Bicycles and in-line skaters sometimes
dominate the South Beach routes, but pedestrians still find places
to stroll. Some visitors prefer to glide up and down Ocean Drive in
exotic cars. On busy evenings, however, yellow traffic lights will
flash. That means, "No cruising allowed."
When to go
Hurricanes may threaten from June through November, but when those
stormy eyes look the other way, hurricane-season weather usually
turns out perfectly fine. Prime time, of course, starts in December
and runs through May. Chilly days are rare. But bring a light jacket
or sweater for the occasional breeze or overzealous air conditioner.
