Traveler-compatibility checks for this destination are still pending. Local notes are useful, but phone, payment and signup eligibility are not yet sourced per service.
Uber and Lyft run the city; Uber has more drivers so shorter waits. Surge is brutal after events and at MIA/South Beach.
Miami-only: 100% free electric shuttles on-demand in Brickell, Downtown, South Beach, Wynwood. Tip the driver. Great for short hops.
DoorDash and Uber Eats are the duopoly; almost every restaurant is on one or both. Tipping is expected on top of fees.
Widest restaurant selection in Miami; DashPass ($9.99/mo) kills delivery fees if you order often.
Publix is the beloved Florida default grocer; most delivery flows through Instacart. Warehouse/Latin markets (Sedano's) exist but aren't app-first.
Powers same-day delivery from Publix, Aldi, Costco, CVS and more — the default grocery-delivery app.
THE Florida supermarket. Use the app for weekly BOGO deals and 'Pub Sub' orders; delivery runs via Instacart.
Whole Foods delivery for Prime members; strong in Miami's denser neighborhoods.
Cheapest for pantry staples; Walmart+ gives free delivery. Stores sit further from the urban core.
Honest truth: transit is limited and most locals drive. But Metromover (downtown/Brickell) is FREE, and the Metrorail line to the airport is genuinely useful. Fare cap is $5.65/day.
Official app: real-time tracking, trip planning and mobile tickets for Metrorail/Metrobus. Metromover is free.
Many locals prefer this over the official app for cleaner real-time arrivals across all Miami systems.
Higher-speed train from Miami Central to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and Orlando. Book and store tickets in-app.
Cheap commuter rail up the coast to Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach; connects to Metrorail at the Transfer station.
Not transit but essential if you DRIVE: Miami toll roads (SR-836, Turnpike, I-95 Express) are all-electronic with no cash booths. Get SunPass or your rental's toll plan or you'll pay penalties.
Cards and contactless are accepted virtually everywhere, including tapping into Metrorail. Carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. Tipping 18-20% is the norm.
US networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) have strong Miami coverage. For visitors, a travel eSIM is the fastest fix on landing; for a longer stay, a prepaid US SIM is cheaper.
Most popular global travel eSIM; buy a US data plan before you land and activate at the gate.
Global eSIM alternative to Airalo; often competitive US data pricing.
Best-value prepaid for a longer stay; strong Miami coverage. Mint Mobile and US Mobile ride its network for less.
Miami is the exception to the US norm: with its huge Latin American and international population, WhatsApp is genuinely co-dominant with plain texting. You'll need both.
US default — Americans just text. Blue-bubble iMessage between iPhones; green SMS otherwise. No separate app needed on iPhone.
Essential in Miami for reaching Latino, immigrant and international contacts and many local businesses — far more used here than in the rest of the US.
Amazon dominates for anything shipped. For secondhand and local deals, Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp are where locals buy and sell.
Mainly relevant on arrival at Miami International (MIA), one of the busiest international gateways in the US.
Citi Bike covers Miami and Miami Beach. Rental e-scooter rules vary sharply by municipality, so don't assume a dockless scooter app will work where you're staying.
The local dock-based bikeshare (run by DecoBike): ~2,000 bikes at 160+ stations across Miami and Miami Beach, incl. South Beach and Wynwood.
911 is the single number for police, fire and ambulance across the US. Calls and texts to 911 both work.
One number for all life-threatening emergencies. You can also text 911 in Miami-Dade if you can't call.
Miami-Dade Police non-emergency line for reports and situations that aren't urgent.
Non-emergency info and city services (potholes, noise, info) in Miami-Dade.
Free 24/7 national poison help line.
Six concrete setup decisions for Miami. No fake personalization—just the local default, the local caveat, and what to do before day one gets expensive.
Mark only what you have actually set up. Progress stays in this browser.
Set up data before you need a ride, ticket, map, or verification code.
Best-value prepaid for a longer stay; strong Miami coverage. Mint Mobile and US Mobile ride its network for less. US networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) have strong Miami coverage. For visitors, a travel eSIM is the fastest fix on landing; for a longer stay, a prepaid US SIM is cheaper.
Know the local default before accepting a taxi quote or opening a global app.
Default for most locals; largest driver pool, fastest pickups. Uber and Lyft run the city; Uber has more drivers so shorter waits. Surge is brutal after events and at MIA/South Beach.
Compare the official airport-to-city option before paying for a car.
Official app: real-time tracking, trip planning and mobile tickets for Metrorail/Metrobus. Metromover is free. Honest truth: transit is limited and most locals drive. But Metromover (downtown/Brickell) is FREE, and the Metrorail line to the airport is genuinely useful. Fare cap is $5.65/day.
Open the map that works best locally and save your hotel or first stop.
Best all-around: driving, walking, transit and place info. The default for most people. Miami traffic is brutal and unpredictable; real-time routing matters. Google Maps is the all-rounder, but Waze is the local weapon for driving.
Check the local card, cash, and wallet reality before your first purchase.
Tap-to-pay works nearly everywhere and at Metrorail/Metrobus gates. Google Pay works identically on Android. Cards and contactless are accepted virtually everywhere, including tapping into Metrorail. Carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. Tipping 18-20% is the norm.
Use the service locals answer—and note any calling or registration restriction.
US default — Americans just text. Blue-bubble iMessage between iPhones; green SMS otherwise. No separate app needed on iPhone. Miami is the exception to the US norm: with its huge Latin American and international population, WhatsApp is genuinely co-dominant with plain texting. You'll need both.
This is an arrival checklist, not an app ranking. Open the full local toolkit below for alternatives, coverage limits, and services you may need later.
Local tender, realistic foreign-currency acceptance, and a daily USD reference before a terminal or exchange desk chooses the rate for you.
Reference only. Your bank, card network, ATM, or exchange counter may add fees or use a different rate.
The normal currency for prices and payment.
Cards are widespread, but cash remains useful for tips, small purchases, and backup. Displayed prices often exclude sales tax and tips.
Country payment guidance reviewed Jul 21, 2026