Using car service in Miami feasible?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I just remembered why I really hate renting a car in Florida. It's not the rental rates but the truly outrageous airport taxes and surcharges that add $100 to $150 on top.

I have to take a course for a week. The hours are from 9AM to 6PM for six of the seven days I'm there. Obviously I won't be needing a car. Would it be crazy to research and hire a car service to drive me from the resort I'm staying at to the course location and back each day? They are only 5 miles apart.

Sounds reasonable to me but how do I locate a reputable company? Any referrals from "locals"?

I could take the air shuttle van from the airport to the resort and I guess use the same car service to take me from the course back to the airport on the last day.

[billymach4 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close billymach4]

Send me a pm.

Lawren,

A very close friend of mine has a place in Miami, as a matter of fact he is actually in South Beach right now. He does not have a car in Miami as he only visits a few times per year, and actually uses taxi's as well.

I am thinking that your locations are not near South Beach but I could be wrong. In any event please send me a PM with your locations in Miami, and I will give him call and relay your question to my friend.

[glypnirsgirl Member Find all posts View Profile Close glypnirsgirl]

A car service will work great, but it is so costly for the daily commute. I think that I would use the car service from the airport and then taxis thereafter.

elaine

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

I haven't been to Miami in years, but they definitely have taxis there. If you're staying at a resort, the front desk should be able to help you arrange for a taxi to come and get you every morning and then pick you up at the end of your workday. Unless there's a taxi stand at the convention location, and then you can just get one there.

Miami is such a big convention city. I suspect they're all set up for this kind of thing.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Thanks all.

Ill be in Miami Beach. Planning on giving the desk at solara a jingle.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Here in Miami we don't usually hail a cab, you have to call the cab and then they come and get you. Solara concierge can definetely do this for you.
The parking at the resort is only $3 a day with in and out. I'd personally be frustrated using public transport in Miami as it's not the most reliable.

Solara doesn't really have too many restaurants in close distance to the resort so with this heat, you're not going to want to do too much walking around Miami beach. There are a few restaurants that deliver to the resort.

There are buses that go up and down Collins Ave. so you could use those to get to Publix (our grocery chain) and South beach if you want to try some of the trendy restaurants. Up near the school there are quite a few restaurants so you could pick up there on your way home.

I'd go the rental car route if I could pick up something cheap on priceline.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I was also going to suggest a Priceline car at the airport - maybe you could pick up a compact for less than shuttle and cabs, even with the taxes? Rental taxes are outrageous all over, it's pretty infuriating.

If not, you've got your answer.

$3 a day at the resort for parking ain't bad.

[LisaH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LisaH]

Is there public transportation nearby? We were in Miami three weeks ago and found the Metrorail convenient to get to the places we were interested. Here is the website

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I thought I'd circle back and let you all know how I made out on this. Seems I found a nice little loophole that we can take advantage of, at least when flying in and out of FLL.

I don't know if this works with other car rental companies but both Thrifty and Dollar share a rental office at 2400 Miami Avenue in Ft Lauderdale. You must request through their websites and not kayak etc. Although this site is considered "Off Airport" the shuttle from the airport does bring you here at no cost. The shuttle will not deliver you back to the airport from here.

Thrifty will then let you drop OFF the car at the "On Airport" location with free shuttle for a $12 fee. Savings of approximatly $140 worth of tax on my 8 day rental.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I thought I'd circle back and let you all know how I made out on this. Seems I found a nice little loophole that we can take advantage of, at least when flying in and out of FLL.

I don't know if this works with other car rental companies but both Thrifty and Dollar share a rental office at 2400 Miami Avenue in Ft Lauderdale. You must request through their websites and not kayak etc. Although this site is considered "Off Airport" the shuttle from the airport does bring you here at no cost. The shuttle will not deliver you back to the airport from here.

Thrifty will then let you drop OFF the car at the "On Airport" location with free shuttle for a $12 fee. Savings of approximatly $140 worth of tax on my 8 day rental.

Nice. I will be using that loophole next time I am there.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Good job Lawren for find the loophole.