I’ll spare you the fluffy intro and just come right out and say it: depending on the airline you’re flying, a 1 hour layover might not be enough time in Miami. But before your panic attack sets in, consider this:
- As long as you’re flying the same airline from one domestic flight to another, 1 hour is plenty of time. 40 minutes is probably sufficient.
- Going from a domestic flight to an international flight will take about an hour.
- Godspeed if you’re coming from an international flight and connecting to a domestic flight. 1 hour won’t be enough.
I don’t normally start my guides to airport layover times this bluntly, but when it comes to the Miami International Airport (MIA), this quick (and brutally honest) dose of reality is warranted. It’s a nice airport, but connections can be gnarly under specific circumstances.
Table of Contents
The reason why a 1 hour layover is enough time in Miami (most of the time)
Even though I was quick to point out that 1 hour might not be enough time, the reality is that for most people flying through to Miami Airport, a 1 hour layover is all that’s really needed.
- All terminals are connected airside at MIA, meaning that you won’t have to go through additional security checkpoints to move from one to the other.
- If all you’re doing is connecting from one domestic flight to another, don’t worry – one hour is easy. Just walk from gate to gate. The farther the gate is away from from your arriving flight, the faster you’ll have to walk. Be prepared.
- One hour is also sufficient if you’re coming from a domestic flight connecting to an international flight. It’s a big airport, and you’re going to have to hustle, but it’s doable.
Reasons why a 1 hour layover might not be enough time
Although it’s not very common, having to walk from one end of the airport to the other to make your connecting flight in Miami is going to take a while. A 1 hour layover might not be enough time, because it’s a big airport, and it’s not very easy to walk from end to end.
Unlike many other major hub airports in United States, MIA doesn’t have an inter-terminal train connecting all terminals. There is one that runs up and down Terminal D, but you’re going to have to walk to get to any other terminal.
Additionally, a one hour layover is absolutely not going to be enough time if you’re coming from a international flight and connecting to a domestic flight. The customs and immigration process at MIA is notoriously slow. Personally, I wouldn’t even attempt to make a connection that tight.
What is the minimum layover for domestic flights in Miami?
Domestic to domestic connections in Miami can be made in as little as 40 minutes. This is especially true if you’re flying American Airlines, which occupies the entirety of Terminal D. Terminal D is massive, but there is a train (called the Skytrain) that runs up and down the length of it with four stops along the way. It’ll save you a bunch of time.
If you’re making a domestic to domestic connection but you’re switching airlines, you can still do it with less than an hour layover. Just keep moving, and try not to get distracted by the scent of Cinnabons until you reach your connecting gate.
What is the minimum layover for international flights in Miami?
Figuring out how long of a layover you’ll need for an international flight in or out of Miami is a little trickier. However, the most important thing to know is that in most scenarios, you going to need more than an hour.
Connecting TO an international flight
Connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight in Miami can be done in an hour. Although there are no additional security checks that you’ll have to go through to board your flight, you might have to walk a long way to reach it.
There is no designated international terminal at the Miami Airport (international flights depart from all terminals). It’s hard to say with any real certainty how long you’re going to need. In general, if you hustle, 1 hour should be enough time.
Connecting FROM an international flight
Connecting from an international flight to domestic flight in Miami is something I personally avoid if at all possible. I’ve always had bad luck going through passport control and customs at MIA. It’s a very busy airport, and sometimes it can take a while.
If there’s no way of avoiding it, my personal minimum layover time for an international to domestic connection in Miami is 2 hours.
A brief overview of the terminal layout at the Miami International Airport
The Miami International Airport is shaped like a giant horseshoe. It consists of three terminals (North, Central, and South) with five individual concourses (D, E, F, G, H, J). It’s a relatively simple design as far as major airports go, but looks can be deceiving. This is a massive facility, and they don’t make it very easy to get from one end to the other.
The nice thing about the design of the Miami Airport is that it’s really hard to get lost. It’s basically one long hallway in a U shape. Just start walking, and you’ll arrive at the next terminal before you know it.
Walking time between all terminals and concourses at MIA
If you love aimlessly walking through an airport on a long layover, Miami is the place to do it. It’s one of the most walkable airports in the United States, but it comes with a caveat: it’s a mother****** to walk from one into the other. Here’s how long it generally takes me:
Concourse D (East) to:
- Concourse D (West): 10 minutes (5 minutes if you take the Skytrain)
- Concourse E: 12 minutes
- Concourse F: 16 minutes
- Concourse G 20 minutes
- Concourse H: 24 minutes
- Concourse J: 28 minutes
Concourse D (West) to:
- Concourse D (East): 10 minutes (5 minutes if you take the Skytrain)
- Concourse E: 9 minutes
- Concourse F: 13 minutes
- Concourse G 17 minutes
- Concourse H: 21 minutes
- Concourse J: 25 minutes
Concourse E to:
- Concourse D (East): 12 minutes
- Concourse D (West): 9 minutes
- Concourse F: 4 minutes
- Concourse G 10 minutes
- Concourse H: 14 minutes
- Concourse J: 16 minutes
Concourse F to:
- Concourse D (East): 16 minutes
- Concourse D (West): 13 minutes
- Concourse E: 4 minutes
- Concourse G 4 minutes
- Concourse H: 8 minutes
- Concourse J: 12 minutes
Concourse G to:
- Concourse D (East): 20 minutes
- Concourse D (West): 17 minutes
- Concourse E: 10 minutes
- Concourse F: 4 minutes
- Concourse H: 4 minutes
- Concourse J: 8 minutes
Concourse H to:
- Concourse D (East): 24 minutes
- Concourse D (West): 21 minutes
- Concourse E: 14 minutes
- Concourse F: 8 minutes
- Concourse G: 4 minutes
- Concourse J: 4 minutes
Concourse J to:
- Concourse D (East): 28 minutes
- Concourse D (West): 25 minutes
- Concourse E: 16 minutes
- Concourse F: 12 minutes
- Concourse G: 8 minutes
- Concourse H: 4 minutes
Due to how long it takes to walk from one end of this airport to the other, I don’t recommend short layovers in Miami if walking is difficult for you.
There are moving walkways located pre-security, but to me, they’re not worth utilizing since you’re going to use up all the time you saved waiting in line at the security checkpoint to get back into the terminal.
How long of a layover do you need in Miami for a no-stress connection?
For a no-stress layover in Miami, my advice is to try and book flights with as much time between them as possible. Not only will it take a while to get from one end of this airport to the other, it’s a really nice facility with lots of great restaurants and shops. It’s a shame having to rush through it if you don’t have to.
Here’s how much time I would want for each type of connection scenario at the Miami airport:
Domestic to domestic layovers
In order to give myself plenty of time to use the bathroom and get something to eat without boredom setting in, an hour and a half would be just about perfect.
Domestic to international layovers
A 2 hour layover would be the perfect amount of time for me if I’m connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight in Miami. This would give me plenty of time to do all the things I would do for a domestic to domestic connection, plus account for the need to be on the plane sooner (per FAA regulations).
International to domestic layovers
Is preserving your sanity is your highest priority when making a connection from an international flight to a domestic flight in Miami, give yourself 3 hours. Maybe 4 if you’re a worrywart.
Useful tips for surviving a 1 hour layover at the Miami Airport
In general, I don’t recommend layovers of an hour or less in Miami unless you’re flying American Airlines. Yes, moving between all terminals a MIA is technically easy since they are all connected airside. However, The amount of time that it will take will be totally dependent on the airlines that you’re flying. Here are a handful of tips to help make it easier:
- Take advantage of the Skytrain in Terminal D. Although this train only operates within Terminal D, it’ll save you loads of time trying to get from one end to the other.
- If you’re willing to take the gamble of leaving the secure area to change terminals, the Skyride Connector located on level 3 is a fast way to get from one to the other. It might not save you any time if the line at the security checkpoint is long, but for gambling types, it may be worth the risk.
- As I always say in my airport layover guides, it’s smart to study the terminal map ahead of time to find out what terminals you’ll be arriving and departing from. If anything, it’ll help ease your mind and fend off anxiety-laden confusion when you arrive.
Stefania
Need Help!!
I am booking a flight from Toronto (YYZ) to San Juan, PR. The flight is American Airlines both ways with a 1 hour layover in Miami, FL. Is this enough time to get to connecting flight? Do i need to transfer my own bags? and do i need to go through customs in Miami to get to my connecting flight?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Stephania – yes, 1 hour will be ok, since you will be going through US customs and passport control prior to departing YYZ. You’ll arrive in Miami as if it were a domestic US flight, and your checked luggage will automatically be transferred.
1 hour isn’t a lot of time though – so be prepared to move quickly if you arrive in Miami a little behind schedule.
Beverly
This was SO Helpful! Thank you!!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Beverly!
Patrick
Hi , American Airlines have changed my flights in March with only a 51 min transit for the last leg . I’m flying from HNL – LAX – MIA -GEO (Guyana). Is this cutting it a bit fine ?. Where do I clear Immigration ??. Regards
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Patrick – you’ll clear immigration at GEO, so your 51 minute layover at MIA won’t be an issue at all. Just walk from one plane to the next.
Sarah
Hi we will be arriving from Dublin via London on Virgin Atlantic flight at 1425 we where hoping to make the American Airlines/ British flight at 1545 to Cancun…. will that be enough time? Do we have to go through customes and imagination? If we were to bring checked bags would we have to go out and go through security again? Or if we just had hand lauagge would it make things easier?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Sarah – an hour and 20 minutes will be tight no matter if you have checked luggage or not (because you will have to go through customs and immigration upon arrival in Miami). It will be faster if you have just carryon bags however, so definitely do that if you can!
As long as you hustle, 1:20 should be enough time.
jason
Hi I’m flying in on American Airlines arriving a little before 9am. My flight is to São Paulo at 10:30. Does this give me enough time? Thanks
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Jason – yeah, that’ll be easy if you’re arriving on a domestic flight! If you’re arriving on an international flight, it’s going to be tight since you’ll have to go though US customs and immigration first.
Yada
Hi, I’m flying Alaska airline from Seattle to Miami, arriving at 4.28pm. I’m then hoping to catch a flight with Avianca to Medellin, Colombia at 6.55pm. I’ll book the two tickets separately. I plan to only bring carry-on but I wasn’t sure if I’ll need to get out of the security gate to check in at Avianca ticket counter or there’s a transfer counter/facility inside the gate? Will two and a half hours be enough time?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Yada – 2.5 hours will be easy for that kind of connection! All terminals at MIA are connected airside, so you won’t have to go through additional security checkpoints to move between them.
If you can check in online (via the Avianca mobile app), you will not need to to check in at the Avianca ticket counter. If you can’t, you will have to exit the terminal after you arrive and proceed to the main ticketing hall. Either way, 2.5 hours is more than enough time. Have a good trip!
Mike D
Hi ,
I am flying from TPA to MIA with American airlines . I have 1:30 min layover for connection to Qatar airlines for DOHA. Is this layover is enough? do I need to clear security check again? Many Thanks.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Mike! Nope, you won’t have to go through any security points to reach your connecting gate in Miami. An hour and a half will be more than enough time since all you have to do is walk from one gate to the next. Have a good trip!
Mark
Hi Scott!
Thanks, this article has been helpful. We’re looking to fly from London to Lima via Miami with different airlines (so that we can stay in Miami for a few days on the way back), so we will have to self transfer our baggage and go through customs as non-US passport holders.
Our options are a 2h55 layover or an 11 hour layover (which we would quite like to avoid!). Do you think it’s worth risking the shorter one? Both airlines fly in/out of the south terminal. Cheers.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Mark – you’re very welcome! 3 hours will definitely be enough time to do the full customs/immigration thing and then check in again with another airline. You’ll use up a large chunk of it going through the entire process, but I can’t see how you’d have any issues.
John
Hi Scott,
I’m looking at flights between Boston and Liberia, Costa Rica through Miami. Would appreciate your advice on the following options. I included the arrival times in Miami in case you think the time of day is a factor in connection times.
Outbound options (from Boston): (1) Arrive in Miami at 10:42am with 1h37m layover, or (2) Arrive in Miami at 9:19am with 3h00m layover. All flights on American.
Return options (from Liberia): (1) Arrive in Miami at 5:18 pm with 2h27m layover, or (2) Arrive in Miami at 5:18pm with 3h45m layover. All flights on American.
Ideally, we would prefer opton (1) with the shorter layover in both directions. However, we don’t want to cut it too close – especially in July with thunderstorms.
Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey John! Yeah, option 1 for your outbound trip will be perfect – 3 hours would be overkill for that sort of connection. On the return, option 2 is what I would go for. Even though getting through customs and immigration is possible within 2 and a half hours, you just never know how long the lines are going to be. You’ll be fine either way, but I’d feel a lot less stress and anxiety knowing that I’d have enough extra time to absorb any delays. Have a good trip!
John
Thanks so much Scott! You rock!
Shannon
Hi! What about a flight from London to Miami and onward to Costa Rica all on the same ticket. Do you have to go through immigration on such a connection (international to international?). Thanks.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Shannon – yes, you will have to go through customs and immigration upon arrival in Miami unfortunately.
Ernesto
Great article, thanks.
I´ll be flying from Bogota (Colombia) to LAX, via MIA (2-hour layover, arriving at 6:30 am).
I wonder if this will be enough gap to make it on time for the connecting flight. The airline is American Airlines. Thanks.!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Ernesto! Yes, that should be more than enough time given that you’ll be arriving so early in the morning (before things get really busy). Have a good trip!
Kathy
My daughter and her new husband will be traveling to Barbados for their honeymoon in October from North Carolina. Looking at flight options, they can either have a 45 minute layover in Miami, or and 8 hr 15 minute layover in Miami (all flights on American). Do you think they are safe to book the short layover option? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kathy – I’d personally go with the 45 minute connection. Chances are good they will make it without any issues, but if not…having to spend the night in Miami (and catch a flight the next day) won’t be the end of the world. It might actually be a fun way to kick off the honeymoon!
Kathleen
Hello and thank you for this very helpful information. I am flying AA from DFW to MIA to MDE. The two flights are on separate reservations with 75 minutes between landing and take-off. Will the separate reservations be an issue time-wise in making the connection? Can I check-in online for an international flight? Or will I have to leave the secured area to get boarding passes?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kathleen – you’re very welcome! It won’t be an issue at all if you don’t have any checked luggage. Yes, you can check in online for international flights. It’ll be a quick and easy connection with carry on bags only.
Having checked luggage will make things more challenging, so you’ll have to move as fast as you can. 75 minutes is possible if everything goes right!
James Sarsfield
Hi, this is a really helpful article.
We’re travelling from LHR to EYW via Miami. We have 1hr 45 mins to clear customs and re check baggage, do you think this will be enough time. We don’t have any other options unfortunately. We arrive into the central terminal from LHR and fly out of the northern terminal?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi James! It’s hard to know what terminals you’ll be flying in and out of ahead of time, as things change and many airlines (but not American) move around a bit.
That said, an hour and 45 minutes is going to be tight (especially with luggage). Try to get a seat as far forward as you can on your inbound flight so that you’ll be one of the first off – and then be ready to walk with purpose to passport control. You’ll be at the mercy of the MIA baggage handlers as you wait for luggage though, but getting to the baggage carousel as fast as you can won’t hurt.
Good luck!