Limited-stop bus on NW 27th Ave that hits MIA fast
Metrobus Route 297, also called the 27th Avenue Orange MAX, is a limited-stop commuter bus that runs along NW 27th Avenue and connects into Miami International Airport. It’s a regular Miami-Dade Transit bus, not an airport-branded shuttle, and it mainly serves weekday riders heading to work rather than visitors figuring things out for the first time.
The 297 usually runs on weekdays only, during peak commute hours, and skips many local stops that Route 27 would make along NW 27th Avenue. It’s built for people who already know their stop at NW 183rd Street, NW 103rd Street, or similar cross streets, then transfer into the airport area. If you’re staying along 27th Avenue and traveling during rush hour, this cuts out a lot of in-between stops.
Standard Miami-Dade Transit fares apply: expect around $2.25 per ride, payable with contactless EASY Card, EASY Ticket, or exact cash on board the bus. There’s no luggage surcharge and no special airport ticket. You board at the front door, pay the driver, and keep your bag near you; there’s no dedicated luggage rack like you’d find on some airport coaches.
At Miami International Airport, Metrobus routes use the Ground Level bus bays near the central terminal area, under the main concourses that serve the North, Central, and South terminal check-in zones. Watch the digital signs for “297 Orange MAX” and the direction of travel, since other routes like 7, 37, or 42 may be using nearby bays at the same time.
This route is limited-stop, so stops along NW 27th Avenue are spaced farther apart than a standard local bus such as Route 27. That means you might walk a few extra blocks from a hotel near NW 119th Street or NW 79th Street, but the on-bus time often drops by 10–15 minutes during the rush compared with the all-stop local service.
Step-by-step from MIA: (1) From any of the North, Central, or South terminal baggage claim areas, follow signs to “Public Buses” and “Miami-Dade Transit” on the Ground Level. (2) Exit to the curb and walk to the marked bus bays; look for the bay listing “297 27th Avenue Orange MAX.” (3) Have $2.25 ready in cash or tap your EASY Card as you board at the front door. (4) Tell the driver your destination cross street on NW 27th Avenue if you’re unsure of the stop name. (5) Pull the yellow cord or press the stop button about one block before your stop.
One practical tip: check the weekday schedule and last trip time online before committing, because if you miss the final 297 of the day along NW 27th Avenue, you’ll likely be waiting for the slower local 27 instead.