If you’re arriving by plane, you won’t have to worry which airport to choose. Miami Beach has just one – Miami Intl. Airport (MIA).

It’s 14 kilometres from Miami Airport to downtown Miami Beach. Make your life easier by researching the best way of traveling from the airport to the city center before you land.

Miami Beach is a hub of travel. Every week, scores of people pass through Miami Airport (14 kilometres from downtown) and FLL (31 kilometres from downtown). Public Seaplane Base Airport (MPB) (5 kilometres from downtown) also sees a lot of air traffic.

Miami Beach is serviced by 52 air carriers from 193 airports around the world.

Miami Beach receives the majority of its flights from American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines with American Airlines being the favorite choice of carrier. New York is the most popular city for travelers to depart from.

Flying to someplace new is much easier when there aren’t any stopovers involved. If you’re heading to Miami Beach, the good news is that there are roughly 5,233 nonstop flights operating every week.

Flights to Miami Beach from Atlanta, New York and Dallas airports are highly sought after.

If it’s Atlanta you’re leaving behind, you’ll be in the air for around 1 hour and 53 minutes before you arrive in Miami Beach. Runway to runway from New Jersey typically takes 3 hours and 10 minutes and from Queens Village, the average flight time is 3 hours and 10 minutes.

We’ve all come across those fortunate jet-setters who somehow manage to nab extremely cheap fares every time they fly. Want to know how to do it for your Miami Beach vacation? Don’t leave it until the last minute to secure your flight. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and see if there is more than one airport at your destination. Prices often differ depending on which airport you use. Remember to compare prices across airlines too. Lastly, another simple way to save a few dollars is be ready to book at a moment’s notice. If you see a good deal, don’t hesitate — grab it while you can.

If you’re poorly prepared, traveling can be testing. But there’s no need to panic. Follow these handy tips for a trouble-free start to your vacation in Miami Beach.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It’s simple — first, pack in your passport, travel documents, wallet and daily medications. Next, you’ll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are always good options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some deodorant so you’ll arrive looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between airlines, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes box cutters, razor blades, aerosol cans and flares. Sports equipment like ice skates, and items that could harm other people, such as swords and guns, won’t be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swelling of the feet and ankles are a common occurrence. Shoes which are flat and slightly roomy are always a sensible way to go.
• Unfortunately, a risk of flying long distances is developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To avoid this, make the most of every opportunity to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs. Compression socks and tights are another easy way to help lower your risk.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you’ll be hopping onto that plane to Miami Beach in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be presented to security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don’t hold up the line.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few moments, you’ll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren’t.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, check them in.