Getting There

By Plane

Miami is one of American Airlines' (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) biggest hubs, and most major domestic airlines fly to and from many Florida cities, including Continental (tel. 800/525-0280; www.continental.com), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com), Northwest/KLM (tel. 800/241-6522; www.nwa.com), TWA (tel. 800/221-2000; www.twa.com), United (tel. 800/241-6522; www.united.com), and US Airways (tel. 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com).

Several budget airlines also fly to South Florida, including Southwest Airlines (tel. 800/435-9792; www.southwest.com), Delta Song (tel. 800/FLY-SONG; www.flysong.com), Air Tran (tel. 800/AIR-TRAN; www.airtran.com), Spirit (tel. 800/772-7117; www.spiritair.com), and Jet Blue (tel. 800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com).

Immigration & Customs Clearance -- Foreign visitors arriving by air, no matter what the port of entry, should cultivate patience and resignation before setting foot on U.S. soil. Clearing immigration control can take as long as 2 hours. This is especially true in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when U.S. airports considerably beefed up security clearances. People traveling by air from Canada, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean countries can sometimes clear Customs and Immigration at the point of departure, which is much faster.

Fly for Less--When booking airfare to Miami, consider flying into the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport for considerably cheaper fares. The airport is only a half hour from downtown Miami.

By Car

Although four major roads run to and through Miami -- I-95, S.R. 826, S.R. 836, and U.S. 1 -- chances are you'll reach Miami and the rest of South Florida by way of I-95. This north-south interstate is South Florida's lifeline and an integral part of the region. The highway connects all of Miami's different neighborhoods, the airport, the beaches, and all of South Florida to the rest of the country. Miami's road signs are notoriously confusing and notably absent when you most need them. Think twice before you exit from the highway if you aren't sure where you're going: Some exits lead to unsavory neighborhoods.

Other highways that will get you to Florida include I-10, which originates in Los Angeles and terminates at the tip of Florida in Jacksonville, and I-75, which begins in North Michigan and runs through the center of the state to Florida's west coast.

Florida law allows drivers to make a right turn on a red light after a complete stop, unless otherwise indicated. In addition, all passengers are required to wear seat belts, and children younger than 3 must be securely fastened in government-approved car seats.

If you plan to be in your car quite a bit during your visit, you may want to join the American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel. 800/596-2227; www.aaa.com), which has hundreds of offices nationwide. Members receive excellent maps, emergency road service, and, upon request, planned, detailed itineraries.

Saving Money on a Rental Car -- Car-rental rates vary even more than airline fares. The price you pay will depend on the size of the car, where and when you pick it up and drop it off, the length of the rental period, where and how far you drive it, whether you purchase insurance, and a host of other factors. A few key questions could save you hundreds of dollars:

Are weekend rates lower than weekday rates? Ask if the rate is the same for pickup Friday morning, for instance, as it is for Thursday night.

Is a weekly rate cheaper than the daily rate? Even if you only need the car for 4 days, it may be cheaper to keep it for 5.

Does the agency assess a drop-off charge if you don't return the car to the same location where you picked it up? Is it cheaper to pick up the car at the airport compared to a downtown location?

Are special promotional rates available? If you see an advertised price in your local newspaper, be sure to ask for that specific rate; otherwise you may be charged the standard cost.

Are discounts available for members of AARP, AAA, frequent-flier programs, or trade unions?

How much tax will be added to the rental bill? Local tax? State tax?

What is the cost of adding an additional driver's name to the contract?

How many free miles are included in the price? Free mileage is often negotiable, depending on the length of your rental.

How much does the rental company charge to refill your gas tank if you return with the tank less than full? Fuel is almost always cheaper in town; try to allow enough time to refuel the car yourself before returning it.

Many packages are available that include airfare, accommodations, and a rental car with unlimited mileage. Compare these prices with the cost of booking airline tickets and renting a car separately to see if these offers are good deals.

Arranging Car Rentals on the Web -- Internet resources can make comparison shopping easier. Expedia.com (www.expedia.com) and Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) help you compare prices and locate car-rental bargains from various companies nationwide. They will even make your reservation for you once you've found the best deal.

By Train

Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) is an option if you don't want to fly or drive down to South Florida. Two trains leave daily from New York. They both take from 26 1/2 to 29 hours to complete the entire journey to Miami.