Miami Stays of One to Four Nights

The easiest way to plan more than a day around Miami is to decide how many nights you have, then pick the trip that fits. Distances are approximate, prices are in US dollars, and every figure should be confirmed on the official page before you book.

One night

Key Largo. The town is about 60 miles south, and the drive takes roughly 1.25 to 2 hours each way depending on traffic. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the reason to stay: entry is about $8 per vehicle, and reef boat tours leave from the park at prices that vary by operator. Sleeping nearby means a morning boat trip with no rush back to Miami.

Fort Lauderdale. Brightline trains run from MiamiCentral in about 30 to 35 minutes, so you can leave the car behind. Fares change by date and are shown on the Brightline website . Once there, the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi sells an all-day pass for $38 per adult and $18 per child aged 5 to 11, and the operator’s FAQ lists the stops.

Two nights

Key West. The island is about 160 miles away on the Overseas Highway (US-1), and the drive is 3.5 to 4 hours each way before any traffic. A crash on the single road can close it, so keep the return day loose. No passenger ferry leaves Miami: the Key West Express sails from Fort Myers Beach on the Gulf coast, and its own timetable page shows no Miami departure. Your options are to drive, fly or take a coach tour. Coach day trips take 12 to 16 hours, so most of the day is spent on the road. Two nights give you real time on the island.

Boat camping in Biscayne National Park. Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key can be reached only by boat. A night of camping or overnight docking is $60, first come and first served, paid through recreation.gov. Day docking is $25 from Friday to Monday and on federal holidays. The park has no entrance fee, and the National Park Service page lists these charges. Bring all your own water and food.

Three or four nights in the city

If you keep one hotel, plan around closed days, because several top stops shut midweek:

  • Vizcaya is closed on Tuesdays.
  • The Pérez Art Museum Miami is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • The Bass is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • The Venetian Pool is closed on Mondays.
  • Frost Science is open every day of the year.

Tuesday is therefore the day for open-air options such as South Beach’s Art Deco streets and South Pointe Park, a Wynwood mural walk, or the Shark Valley tram. Put Vizcaya and the downtown museums on other days. Keep one day for the Everglades. Vehicle entry is $35 for 7 days, and visitors from outside the United States aged 16 or over pay an extra $100 each unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass.

A longer hop north

Orlando is roughly 3 to 3.5 hours from MiamiCentral by Brightline. That suits travelers who are carrying on north rather than returning, and the fares vary widely by date.

Season and timing

Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, so keep bookings changeable from late summer into autumn. King tides flood low streets on sunny days around high tide, and the City of Miami lists 2026 peaks on 24 to 30 October, 6 to 9 November and 23 to 26 November. Do not drive or wade through the water.

Hotels fill up on busy weekends. Compare Islamorada stays on Booking.com and Coconut Grove rooms early.

Read more: Miami activities and the Miami 4-day itinerary .