Miami Cruise Port Car Rental: What You Need to Know

Looking for the best car rental for PortMiami? We have all the information you need for getting the best rates on a rental car near one of Florida’s busiest cruise ports. We provide you with the most up-to-date information about Miami cruise port car rentals, with tips and tricks to help you save money.

Car rental is the most convenient way to get around during your Miami cruise vacation. There are plenty of car rental companies serving thousands of cruisers who arrive and depart from the port of Miami each week on a Caribbean cruise.

There is no regular public transport for getting around Miami apart from taxis, Uber, Lyft and airport shuttles. Consequently, most people opt for Miami cruise port car rentals if they are staying a few extra days, so they can get around and enjoy the sights. 

We compare all the leading car rental services offered near Miami cruise port to help you find the best deal.

Who needs a Miami Cruise Port Car Rental?

There are many reasons why people need a Miami cruise port car rental. Although Miami Airport (MIA) is a 15-minute taxi ride away, many cruisers find that the best way to reach Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or Orlando Airport is by picking up a car rental from the port and driving to one of these major airports in Southwest Florida.

Some cruisers may want to spend a few days exploring Miami, South Beach and the surrounding area pre- or post-cruise. They need the convenience and flexibility of a rental car to get from Miami cruise port to their hotel, and to explore the area during their stay. 

Our guide covers all the available options, including a few you have probably never considered, so let’s get started!

Where to Find Miami Cruise Port Car Rentals

The port of Miami does not have onsite car rental as space on Dodge Island is at a premium. However, there are plenty of car rental companies at nearby locations. Whatever your car preference, you’ll have plenty of choice when considering Miami cruise port car rentals. From luxury car rentals, SUVs and vans to compact and economy vehicles,  there’s something to suit every cruiser.

Most of the main car rental companies in Miami have one or more centers close to the port or at Miami International Airport, just 9 miles away. Some car rental companies also have offices on South Beach, just six miles from the Port of Miami. However, the closest car rental locations to Miami cruise port are in downtown, with a convenient pick-up and drop-off location less than two miles from the port.

Also Read: How to Get from the Airport to Miami Cruise Port

As well as the national companies, there are several independent car rental companies near Miami port that offer competitive prices.Photo By: Chuck Kramer (Creative Commons)

Getting the Lowest Price for your Miami Cruise Port Car Rental

It’s always worth shopping around to get the best price for your Miami cruise port car rental. To get a speedy personal quote, click one of our links below and fill in the details, including the required dates, pick-up and drop-off points. You can also phone car rental offices near Miami cruise port and confirm a price before booking.

Here are some money-saving tips when choosing car rentals near Miami port:

• Bear in mind that there is usually a surcharge for one-way car rentals. That means if you are picking up a car rental near Miami cruise port and dropping it off at Fort Lauderdale Airport, for example, the rental company will add a one-way charge to the daily rate.
• You may be charged more for additional drivers. By choosing one designated driver, you could save money.
• If you book your ahead of time, you can save money by paying up-front and taking a “no cancelation” option. However, if there is any possibility that you may need to cancel your car rental, it’s worth paying a few dollars more to have the money-back cancelation option.
• Never take your rental car back late as you will incur surcharges. If you have a problem, call the company and extend your agreement
• Insurance options can affect the price you pay for your car rental. Paying a voluntary deductible for damage and declining personal accident insurance can significantly lower the price of your Miami cruise port car rental.
• Finally, you will need to decide whether you want to return your rental car with a full tank of fuel, or not. If you opt to bring the car back without filling up the gas tank, you usually pay more per gallon, or have a service charge added. You can gamble with the “pick-up full – return low” fixed price, but make sure you don’t run out of gas on that all-important journey to the cruise ship. The cheapest option is usually to pick-up and return the car with a full gas tank. There are plenty of gas stations close to Miami cruise port, or wherever your drop-off point is, to fill up with gas before returning the car.

Using SunPass with your Miami Cruise Port Car Rental

Most Miami cruise port rental cars come with a SunPass or use Toll-by-Plate, which makes getting around the city very quick and easy. Many major routes in Miami charge a toll.

hese include the Florida Turnpike, Sawgrass expressway (part of SR 869), I-75 East and West, and the Dolphin Expressway (SR-836), which connects the port of Miami with the airport.

Most Miami toll roads charge fees by transponder or Toll-by-Plate. Having a SunPass, E-Pass or E-Z Pass payment facility linked to your car rental agreement means that you can drive through the toll lanes at plazas on dedicated lanes without stopping. Overhead gantries will scan your SunPass receiver or your car rental registration plate (TOLL-BY-PLATE) and charge the toll fee accordingly.

If your SunPass responder is switched off, or your car rental does not have one, you will need to stop frequently and make the payments in cash or by credit/debit card.

On the I-95, a SunPass transponder allows drivers to use Florida Express Lanes which will help you avoid getting held up in traffic at busy times. If you have a cruise or plane to catch, using these optional express lanes is recommended.

The tolls start at 54 cents and up for Sunpass and 80 cents for Toll-by-Plate. The tolls are charged to the account associated with your rental car. They will be deduced from your credit card by your car rental company. It’s a small price to pay to keep you on schedule and avoid any last minute panic.

Getting from PortMiami to the Car Rental Office

When you disembark from the cruise ship, there are plenty of taxis lined up waiting to transport you to the airport, hotel or local car rental office. No need to pre-book your taxi; it will all be taken care of as part of your pre-booked disembarkation process.

Some taxi fares are fixed, such as to Miami International Airport, where you can find a wide choice of car rentals available. However, bear in mind you will pay an airport surcharge if you pick up your car rental from the airport rather than from a downtown office.

If you have already booked your rental from a local office in downtown Miami, you may need a taxi to get there. Always check that the taxi has the meter running to ensure you are not overcharged.

Also Read: All You Need to Know About Miami Cruise Parking

Most major companies provide shuttle buses to transfer customers between Miami cruise port and the car rental depot. Check out the info below to see which Miami cruise port car rentals offer this service.

Shuttles to and from offices may be complimentary, or there may be a fixed price per passenger. Unless you are traveling as a large group, it generally works out cheaper to take the shuttle bus rather than paying for a taxi.

Top Miami Cruise Port Car Rental Companies 

Below you will find links to all the main Miami Cruise Port rental car companies. We have included the lowest price for a one-day hire for comparison only. Dates, size of vehicle, availability and length of rental period will all affect the price.

Sixt Rent a Car

Sixt Rent-a-Car has several offices for car rentals close to Miami cruise terminals. The nearest is just off Biscayne Blvd at the InterContinental Hotel on the bayfront. It’s an 8-minute taxi ride from Miami cruise port. 

• Address: Intercontinental Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza
• Distance to cruise port: 2.6 miles
• Prices from: $86

The other Sixt car rental office is at Miami International Airport which offers a shuttle service to and from the cruise port. This car rental office operates 24/7 and car rental prices start at $101 for a midsize car such as a Nissan Sentra or similar.

• Address: Miami International Airport (MIA Car Rental Center)
• Distance to cruise port: 9.3 miles
• Prices from: $101

Avis

Avis is one of the most convenient rental services, with an office just 10 minutes from the cruise terminal. The shuttle will drop off and meet cruise passengers at the pier and transport them to the office to pick-up their vehicle.

• Address: 99 SE 2nd St
• Distance to cruise port: 2.7 miles
• Prices from: $69 for a compact model

Enterprise

Enterprise has a car rental office at the Car Rental Center at Miami International Airport. The best way to travel to the airport to pick up your car rental is by taxi.  Prices start at $61.84 for a compact car, but at this price they do not specify the make or model ahead of time.

• Address: Miami International Airport (MIA Car Rental Center)
• Distance to cruise port: 9.3 miles
• Prices from: $61.84

Other Enterprise rental car locations can be found at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (for drop-off), Hyatt Regency Miami and at the Doubletree Hilton Grand Hotel in downtown Miami.

• Address: Doubletree Hilton Hotel, 1717 N. Bayshore Dr
• Distance to cruise port: 3.2 miles
• Prices from: $70.48

These multiple options make Enterprise a good choice for one-way car rentals if you are flying into Fort Lauderdale Airport and want to drop off the vehicle near the cruise port, or vice versa.

Hertz Car Rentals Miami Port

The nearest Hertz car rental to Miami cruise port is just 10 minutes away in downtown Miami. This is a dedicated office for the cruise port and it offers a convenient shuttle service for customers to and from the port. The cheapest car rental option is a Polestar Electric vehicle at $42.75 per day, or from $64 for a regular compact sedan.

• Address: 228 SE 2nd St
• Distance to cruise port: 2.7  miles
• Prices from: $42.75

Other Hertz offices are at Miami International Airport (MIA Car Rental Center) and several locations citywide. However, the 2nd St location is the closest to the cruise terminal and offers a shuttle service to and from Miami cruise port. 

Thrifty Car Rentals

Thrifty also operates a vehicle rental office at Miami International Airport. It offers a full range of vehicles at all price points. The Manager’s Special is the best price, but it does not specify a size or model ahead of time, depending on what’s available.

• Address:  3900 NW 25th St, Miami Airport 
• Distance to cruise port: 8.9  miles
• Prices from: $35.49

Budget

Budget offers Miami cruise port car rental services from several locations including Miami Airport (MIA Car Rental Center) and 89 SE 2nd St, which is the nearest location to the port of Miami.

Car rental includes free customer pick-up service with a shuttle bus. Economy car hire starts at $53.09 per day for a Ford Fiesta, or similar.

• Address: 89 SE 2nd St
• Distance to cruise port: 2.9 miles
• Prices from: $53.09

Miami Cruise Port Car Rental with Shuttle

The following Miami cruise port car rentals all offer a courtesy shuttle bus service to and from the port:

• Avis
• Hertz
• Budget
• Supreme Rent a Car

Miami Cruise Port Luxury Car Rentals

If you want a luxury or exotic car rental, Miami Luxury Cars is the site for you. It offers a full range of premium SUVs, luxury and exotic car rentals, from Bentleys and Cadillacs to Lamborghinis and Maclarens. Prices on application.

• Address:  8450 NW 6th Ct 
• Distance to cruise port: 8.4 miles
• Prices: on request

SupremeRentaCar

Supreme Rent a Car offers luxury Miami cruise port car rentals across South Florida with pick-up/drop-off locations near the cruise port as well as at Miami Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport.

Opt for a Ford Mustang sports car from $59.90, or perhaps upgrade to a Cadillac Escalade. Renters can even rent cars by the hour (minimum 4 hours) for a quick tour of Miami. 

• Address: 333 NE 24th St
• Distance to cruise port: 9.1 miles
• Prices from: $49.90 for an economy car

Now you have everything you need to know about Miami cruise port car rental companies to help you book the best deal.