$2.25 bus that mostly serves airport staff and neighbors
Metrobus Route 42 runs past Miami International Airport along Le Jeune Road (NW 42nd Ave) and NW 36th Street, stopping at the airport’s Metrobus area just east of the Central and South terminal complex. This is very much a local route for employees and residents along Le Jeune and 36th, not a mainline airport link like the Orange Line Metrorail via Miami Intermodal Center.
The fare is $2.25 per ride with contactless payment or an EASY Card, same as other Miami-Dade Transit buses. You board at the airport’s ground-level bus bays near the Central terminal; follow signs for “Metrobus” from North, Central, or South baggage claim and expect a 5–10 minute indoor walk depending on your carousel. Drivers do not give change, so bring small bills if you’re paying cash.
Service typically runs every 20–30 minutes during daytime hours along NW 36th Street and NW 42nd Avenue, with reduced frequency later at night. The route ties the airport to residential and commercial stretches north and south of MIA, including segments of the 33126 and 33142 ZIP codes. If your hotel or friend’s place sits directly on Le Jeune or 36th, this can beat rideshare by a lot on cost.
Route 42 is not an express: you stop at a long string of local stops along NW 36th Street signal lights and crosswalks. Count on 25–40 minutes to cover what a car might do in 10–15, especially in afternoon rush hours around 4–7 p.m. Luggage space is limited to the standard front rack for two bikes and whatever you can hold or slide under a seat.
If you’re landing late after 11 p.m. or leaving before 5 a.m., double-check real-time info in the Transit app or on the Miami-Dade Transit tracker, since headways can stretch and trips may drop. On weekends, plan for slightly fewer trips than on a weekday schedule and pad your timing by at least one extra bus cycle.
One practical tip: if you’re headed to Metrorail, Tri-Rail, or Brightline, skip Route 42 and walk or use the free MIA Mover to the Miami Intermodal Center instead; that short detour usually saves 15–20 minutes overall and keeps your transfers simpler.