By the Where to Stay in Miami editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Fly in the day before your cruise and stay Downtown, on Biscayne Boulevard near Bayside. You are 5 to 15 minutes from every terminal by car or taxi, and you can walk to Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park for dinner. Our pick is YVE Hotel Miami, which offers a transfer to PortMiami (ask the price when you book) and a stay-and-park package.
For a splurge, the Kimpton EPIC on the Miami River has a 16th-floor pool terrace that looks out over the port. On a budget, YOTEL Miami, a short walk from Bayside, has compact rooms and a pool deck. If you would rather spend your last night on the beach, stay in South Beach, 10 to 20 minutes from the terminals.
Pre-Cruise Bases Compared
| Base | To the terminals | Best for | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown (Bayside) | 5–15 min | Shortest transfer, walkable dinner | Some quiet streets at night |
| Brickell | 10–20 min | Restaurants and rooftop bars | Rush-hour traffic |
| South Beach | 10–20 min | A beach day before sailing | Pricier; weekend traffic on the causeway |
| Airport area | 20–35 min | Late arrivals | Nothing to do nearby |
Map of Hotels Near PortMiami
PortMiami is the island on the right of the map; the Downtown hotels line Biscayne Boulevard and the Miami River on the left.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all PortMiami stays →Closest Hotels to the Terminals
On Biscayne Boulevard and the river, a short taxi or rideshare from the port.
YVE Hotel Miami
Biscayne Blvd, Downtown, Downtown Miami
Our top pick: a Downtown hotel on Biscayne Boulevard that offers transfers to PortMiami and a stay-and-park package.
Best for: Cruise passengers
- Transfer to PortMiami offered
- Stay & Park package
- Bay views
More about this hotel
A Downtown hotel on Biscayne Boulevard with bay views, a paid transfer offer to PortMiami and a stay-and-park package. Kaseya Center concerts and Bayside are a short walk away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Phillip Pessar, CC BY 2.0
Kimpton EPIC Hotel
Miami River, Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown Miami
The splurge: a riverfront tower whose 16th-floor pool terrace looks out to the cruise ships.
Best for: Pre-cruise splurges
- Two pools, one on a 16th-floor terrace
- PortMiami views from the pool terrace
- Privai Spa + Fitness
More about this hotel
A riverfront tower where Downtown meets Brickell, with two pools, including a 16th-floor pool terrace that looks out to PortMiami. Zuma is on site, and many balconies face the water.
InterContinental Miami
Biscayne Blvd at Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami
A big bayfront hotel next to Bayfront Park, close to the port bridge.
Best for: Cruise passengers
- Next to Bayfront Park
- Spa and fitness center
- Toro Toro restaurant
More about this hotel
A large hotel at the edge of Biscayne Bay next to Bayfront Park, a short walk from Bayside Marketplace, with a spa and the Toro Toro restaurant. It is close to the Port Boulevard bridge to the cruise terminals.
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami River, Downtown Miami
A riverside tower with a heated pool and a bowling alley for a rest day.
Best for: Business trips
- Heated outdoor pool
- Bowling alley and 3D media room
- Fitness and business centers
More about this hotel
A big riverside tower where Downtown meets Brickell, with a heated outdoor pool, a bowling alley and a 3D media room. It works for business trips and for a night before a cruise.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
YOTEL Miami
NE 2nd St, Downtown, Downtown Miami
Compact rooms near Bayside, pitched at cruise passengers.
Best for: Solo travelers
- 12th-floor pool deck
- Near the free Metromover
- Facility fee charged on top
More about this hotel
Compact rooms in a Downtown tower, with a covered 12th-floor pool deck and the free Metromover close by. Bayside and Kaseya Center are within walking distance.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Phillip Pessar, CC BY 2.0
A Little Farther, With More Space
Suites, rooftop pools and bay views, still well under 20 minutes from the port.
citizenM Miami Worldcenter
Miami Worldcenter, Downtown, Downtown Miami
A design hotel with a rooftop pool, a little farther from the port.
Best for: Design on a budget
- Rooftop pool, hotel guests only
- canteenM cafe and bar
- No parking at the hotel
More about this hotel
A design hotel with compact rooms and a rooftop pool for guests only, in the Miami Worldcenter district near the Arsht Center and Bayside. There is no parking at the hotel, so it suits travelers without a car.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Phillip Pessar, CC BY 2.0
The Elser Hotel Miami
NE 5th St, near Kaseya Center, Downtown Miami
Suites and apartments near Kaseya Center, for families and groups.
Best for: Families and groups
- Studios and apartments
- Outdoor pool, hot tub and pool bar
- About 500 m from Kaseya Center
More about this hotel
An all-suite hotel near Kaseya Center with studios and apartments, an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a pool bar. It suits families and groups who want more room Downtown.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Phillip Pessar, CC BY 2.0
Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay
N Bayshore Dr, Edgewater, Downtown Miami
A waterfront Marriott in Edgewater with bay-view rooms.
Best for: Bay views
- On Biscayne Bay
- Bay-view rooms
- Near the Arsht Center
More about this hotel
A large waterfront Marriott on Biscayne Bay at the north end of Downtown, near the Arsht Center. Bay-view rooms are available.
Hilton Miami Downtown
Biscayne Blvd, Edgewater, Downtown Miami
A practical Hilton about 2 miles from the port.
Best for: Pre-cruise nights
- Near Biscayne Bay
- About 2 miles from PortMiami
- Near the Arsht Center
More about this hotel
A large Hilton on Biscayne Boulevard near the bay, about 2 miles from PortMiami. It is a practical base for a cruise or an Arsht Center show rather than a destination in itself.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: D. Benjamin Miller, CC0
A Beach Night Before Sailing
Swap the city for the sand, with a kids' club, and still reach the port quickly.
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Collins Ave at 16th St, South Beach
A beach night before sailing: a family resort in South Beach, 10–20 minutes from the terminals.
Best for: Families
- Direct beach access
- SoBe Kids Club
- Connecting rooms and 69 suites
More about this hotel
A 790-room beachfront resort a block from Lincoln Road and Española Way, with the SoBe Kids Club, the Sea Spa and Rao's among its restaurants. It is the easiest big-resort choice in South Beach for families.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pre-Cruise Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Kimpton EPIC HotelMiami River, Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown Miami · SplurgePre-cruise splurgesCheck prices -
InterContinental MiamiBiscayne Blvd at Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami · Mid-rangeCruise passengersCheck prices -
JW Marriott Marquis MiamiBiscayne Blvd Way, Miami River, Downtown Miami · SplurgeBusiness tripsCheck prices -
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citizenM Miami WorldcenterMiami Worldcenter, Downtown, Downtown Miami · BudgetDesign on a budgetCheck prices -
The Elser Hotel MiamiNE 5th St, near Kaseya Center, Downtown Miami · Mid-rangeFamilies and groupsCheck prices -
Miami Marriott Biscayne BayN Bayshore Dr, Edgewater, Downtown Miami · Mid-rangeBay viewsCheck prices -
Hilton Miami DowntownBiscayne Blvd, Edgewater, Downtown Miami · Mid-rangePre-cruise nightsCheck prices -
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
YVE Hotel Miami
City hotel
|
Biscayne Blvd, Downtown, Downtown Miami | Budget | Cruise passengers | Check prices |
|
|
Kimpton EPIC Hotel
Riverfront hotel
|
Miami River, Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown Miami | Splurge | Pre-cruise splurges | Check prices |
|
|
InterContinental Miami
Bayfront hotel
|
Biscayne Blvd at Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami | Mid-range | Cruise passengers | Check prices |
|
|
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
City hotel
|
Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami River, Downtown Miami | Splurge | Business trips | Check prices |
|
|
YOTEL Miami
Compact-room hotel
|
NE 2nd St, Downtown, Downtown Miami | Budget | Solo travelers | Check prices |
|
|
citizenM Miami Worldcenter
Compact design hotel
|
Miami Worldcenter, Downtown, Downtown Miami | Budget | Design on a budget | Check prices |
|
|
The Elser Hotel Miami
All-suite hotel
|
NE 5th St, near Kaseya Center, Downtown Miami | Mid-range | Families and groups | Check prices |
|
|
Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay
Bayfront hotel
|
N Bayshore Dr, Edgewater, Downtown Miami | Mid-range | Bay views | Check prices |
|
|
Hilton Miami Downtown
City hotel
|
Biscayne Blvd, Edgewater, Downtown Miami | Mid-range | Pre-cruise nights | Check prices |
|
|
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Beachfront resort
|
Collins Ave at 16th St, South Beach | Splurge | Families | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Which Terminal Is Your Ship?
| Terminal | Cruise line |
|---|---|
| AA | MSC Cruises |
| A | Royal Caribbean |
| B | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| C | Several lines |
| D, E, F | Carnival |
| J | Smaller and luxury ships |
| V | Virgin Voyages |
A new Terminal G for Royal Caribbean is under construction and expected to open in 2027. Your cruise documents give your terminal and check-in time; follow those rather than arriving early.
Getting to PortMiami
- From the airport: 20–35 minutes by car. Most cruise lines offer their own shuttle from MIA to the port.
- Taxis and rideshares: taxis wait at the cruise terminals on cruise days, and all the major ride apps use designated pick-up and drop-off zones at the port.
- Parking: there are garages and lots for each terminal, on both the north and south sides of the port, charged by the day. Debit cards are not accepted at the port garages, so bring a credit card or cash.
- Free trolley and transit: the City of Miami's free Coral Way Trolley serves the port, and you can take Metrorail's Orange Line from the airport to Government Center, then the free Metromover.
- Brightline: PortMiami says Brightline offers a Vacation Service that carries cruise passengers between its station and the port.
- Tunnel closures: the PortMiami Tunnel occasionally closes overnight for maintenance. Check the port's website if you are arriving late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.