As the busiest cruise port in the world, Miami sees its fair share of passengers driving in for their vacation. Of course, that means that they need a place to park.
Located on Dodge Island, which is just across the bridge from downtown Miami, the cruise terminals are in a busy area of town where parking space is at a premium. Still, if you need to park for your cruise, then you’ll have no problem finding a spot. The port itself offers convenient parking right at the ship, but it comes at a steep price.
That’s why it pays to know your options. Prices vary considerably, based mainly on convenience to the port.
As a rule of thumb, the closer you park to the ship, the more costly it will be. The most expensive parking is located right at the port but is also the easiest to use. Luckily, there are other options if you are a bargain hunter.
(Note: If you are planning to spend a night in the area, check out our page of Port of Miami hotels with cruise parking or Miami hotels with port shuttles. These hotels can help you save money on parking or transportation to the port.)
In This Article...
Miami Cruise Parking Lot Costs
Prices for parking can vary widely. The Port of Miami charges $22 per day ($25-$28 if sailing Royal Caribbean), while independent lots typically charge between $11-12 per day. One thing to keep in mind is that taxes and fees at independent lots can add several dollars each day to your cost.
Note: There are a number of parking lots that show up on some third-party websites, but are difficult to find reliable information about. We’ve left those options off our list.
Official Port of Miami Parking Lots (Recommended)
While it is the priciest option, we recommend that cruise passengers simply park at the official port lots. Not only is it the most convenient with the ability to park right at the ship, but it is also the most reliable option we’ve found. There is a garage located right near each cruise terminal.
For the convenience of parking here, be prepared to pay the price. Overnight parking for most terminals is $22 per night.
Parking is available for oversized vehicles, but will cost extra if taking up more than one space and is in only one lot, across from Terminal E (which may or may not be convenient to your ship). Credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and Discover, as well as cash and traveler’s checks are accepted. However, debit cards are not.
Parking comes in both covered (parking garage) and uncovered lots. The good news is that there are several options for where to park, so you can always find a lot that’s near your cruise ship. Simply follow the signs to your ship as you arrive at the port and you’ll find the parking lot or garage nearby.
Here’s a map with each lot and garage labeled:
Want to save some money? Disabled passengers in vehicles with specialized equipment (such as lifts or foot/hand controls) and those with Florida disabled veteran license plates can park for free. Click here for more details, or you can call the port at 305-347-4800.
- Cost: $22 per day
- Distance: At terminal
- Website: https://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/parking-information.asp
Port of Miami Royal Caribbean Parking Garage
Sailing on Royal Caribbean from Miami? Things are slightly different in that the parking at Terminal A (Royal Caribbean’s terminal) is run separate from the rest of the port parking.
Located at the far east end of the port, Terminal A features a garage for guests. Unlike the rest of the garages, however, reservations are required. If you don’t have a reservation before you arrive, then you will need to park at Terminal J, across the entire port from Terminal A (a shuttle is provided).
Rates here run a hefty $35 per night. That’s nearly 60% more than the rest of the port. If you don’t mind walking, you could theoretically park in another garage and then walk over to the Royal Caribbean terminal.
- Cost: $35 per day
- Distance: At terminal
- Website: https://www.royalmiamiparking.com/
Independent Parking Lots
In addition to the port, there are several options from independent parking lots in the area.
Safe Cruise Parking
Safe Cruise Parking offers a good deal, covered garage parking, and 24/7 security. That’s a pretty compelling offer for a rate that’s considerably less than the cruise parking lots at the port.
Prices are around $11.50 per day for parking, but keep in mind you are charged for both the day you arrive and the day you leave. So if you arrive on a Saturday for a 7-day cruise and then leave the next Saturday, you’ll be charged for eight days. As well, taxes and fees increase the cost. For a week-long cruise, expect to pay about $100 for parking. Even with taxes and fees, that’s about half the rate of the Port of Miami.
The lot is located about 1.5 miles driving from the cruise terminals. A shuttle runs regularly to the Miami port and is free. Reservations are available on their website, which we recommend to ensure you have a spot when you arrive.
- Cost: ~$14.30 per day (including taxes & fees)
- Distance: 1.5 miles (free shuttle provided) | 189 NE 2nd St.
- Website: https://www.safecruiseparking.com
Premier Cruise Parking
If you want to park in a garage where your car is protected from the searing Miami sun, then look into this company. Similar to Safe Cruise Parking above, this lot is actually a garage offering multiple levels of covered parking.
The garage (the MET3 parking garage in downtown Miami) is located about a mile from the port and offers a free shuttle to and from the cruise terminal. Rates run $9.95 per day. But with taxes and fees (plus the eight days of parking) you can expect to pay about $90 in total for parking on a one-week cruise — or roughly $12.90 per day for a 7-day cruise. Garage clearance is just 7 feet if you drive a tall vehicle.
- Cost: ~$12.90 per day (including taxes & fees)
- Distance: 1.5 miles (free shuttle provided) | 250 SE 3rd Ave.
- Website: https://premiercruiseparking.com/
WeParkIn Miami
With parking in a garage just across the causeway from the port, this spot is among the closest you’ll find. The garage is located in downtown Miami and only minutes away from the ships.
During our search we found prices of $10 per day (keep in mind you have to pay for the day you arrive and the day you leave). With taxes and fees, the price ends up being around $91 per day for a week-long cruise cruise or about $13 per day. That’s about 60% the cost of parking at the cruise terminal. In addition, the parking lot website says they have a shuttle service to get you back and forth from PortMiami.
- Cost: ~$13.00 per day (includes taxes & fees)
- Distance: 1.5 miles | 850 NE 2nd Ave
- Website: https://weparkinmiami.com/
Miami Hotels With Cruise Parking (Recommended)
If you are staying in the Miami area in a hotel, then you may be able to save on your parking. Many hotels cater to cruisers with special daily parking rates or parking packages, which allow you to leave your car while you sail.
Hotels include DoubleTree, Comfort Suites, Hampton Inn, and others near the port.
To be sure, if you don’t plan to stay in a hotel before your trip already, it’s not worth it to book a room just to get the parking. But if you already want to stay nearby before your cruise, then a hotel with a parking package can save you money over parking at the port.
For example, a hotel might be $150 a night normally, but charge $180 for the park and cruise package that lets you leave your car for a week. The extra package cost is lower than the price of parking at the Port of Miami, which charges $22 per day.
Map of Miami Cruise Parking Lots
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parking lot should I use?
While it is more expensive, we would suggest the parking at the Port of Miami. Navigating Miami can be difficult, so it’s nice to be able to park right at your ship and simply walk across a street to board. It’s also convenient in that you don’t have to pre-book or reserve anything. You simply arrive at the port on cruise day and park.
Can I park for free anywhere during my cruise?
It be great to be able to park for free, but it’s only available in a few situations. First, if you are disabled and your automobile has modifications (such as a ramp), then you are able to park for free at the Port of Miami. As well, those with Florida disabled veteran license plates can also get free parking. You can call the port at 305-347-4800 for more details.
If you don’t meet one of those two groups, don’t despair. You can park for free (or a discount) at a number of hotels in the area in exchange for a night’s stay. These hotels offer parking as a perk to attract cruise passengers. See a list of Miami hotels with cruise parking here.
What time should I arrive if I am parking?
If you plan to park at the port, we’d suggest arriving 30 minutes before you plan to board. So if you want to board the ship at noon, arrive at 11:30. This will offer plenty of time to park, find your way to the ship and get checked in.
If you plan to park at an off-site parking lot, then we’d up that time to an hour before you board. This gives you plenty of time to park and then shuttle to the cruise ship.
Do I need to reserve a parking spot before I arrive?
If you plan to park at the port, you don’t need to reserve any sort of parking unless parking at the Royal Caribbean terminal. There are spots available and you simply pay when you arrive. For other lots, you’ll want to reserve ahead of time to ensure that they have space available.
More on Cruising From Miami
Port of Miami Guide — A complete guide to cruising from the port, covering everything you need to know.
Getting to the Port of Miami — Transportation options from airports and the Miami area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.
Miami Cruise Parking — Parking at the port? We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.
Miami Park and Cruise Hotels — If you plan to stay in Miami the night before your cruise, look at this list of hotels that offer cruise parking with a one-night stay.
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looking for a hotel with parking for the carnival cruise line
Would you pay for the parking as you enter the garage or at the end of your cruise when eiting the garage?
Where is the best place to park when traveling on MSC October 2023? Want a covered and secure lot.
Just at the port. There are garages near each terminal.
We are driving in the night before. It is a 12 hour drive, so I expect to arrive in Miami sometime between 6a-9a. Can we get in the garage at port of miami at that time? Will there be parking available since it is before the cruise before us disembarks?
Not sure on that, but I’d suggest going somewhere, relaxing, sightseeing, or having breakfast. The port will be very busy with everyone trying to get off the ship.
Parking for NCL Terminal B? Cruising in December 2023. Also, one member is handicapped no equipment only a walker. Where do we park? The map is vague. Would like to have the ability to make a reservation.
There’s a parking garage adjacent to the terminal. Just head to the terminal and you’ll see the signs for garage parking.
Is the parking per day or per night? For the period from May 5th to May 8th, will I be charged for 3 or 4 days?
Thanks!
Do you know the height for Terminal F for Carnival. Just wanting to know as I have a truck and wanting to make sure I have enough clearance.
Thank you
I do not know the exact height, but they are standard parking garages. If you can usually park in a garage, then you should be fine. If not, then there is oversized parking available.
Hi, just checking if this article still up to date and if in Feb 2023 I still can go and find a parking spot at the port. I’m concerned to be full, I hate to leave things like this for the last minute and don’t have reservations. I look at the satellite picture in google maps and dont even see big parking lots at the port, just a lot containers and construction.
Yes, it’s still valid. Miami used parking garages instead of big lots, that’s why Google Maps doesn’t show a lot of big parking lots.
Thanks for the quick response Tanner. I assume those garages are walking distance from the cruises right? Im taking an MSC for the first time and for what I’ve found is in the terminal AA/AAA, so because Royal is on A I assume will be close by and I have to take the Royal Caribbean garage?
AA/AAA is under construction. To my knowledge it’s not open yet. When it is, it will have its own parking.
I have 20 ft long 9 1/2 high campervan. Can I find a spot near Norwegian termi? 11 day cruise.
Roadtrekker
Not sure exactly where the oversized parking is, but it shouldn’t be too far. I know they ask you to park in a surface lot instead of garage.
The Royal Caribbean garage is more expensive than the other port garages. Can I park at another port garage and walk to the RC dock?
I supposed you could, although not sure if they check your boarding pass to ensure you’re in the right garage. Also, the RC terminal is at the very far end of the port, so there is some walking.
Do the lots at the cruise terminal fill up? I fear planning on parking here and no spaces available.
No, you don’t have to worry about that. Even if the lot for that specific terminal did fill up, you would just be redirected to another nearby lot. Plenty of space.
Do I need a reservation to park my car at the terminal A garage? If so, how do I make the reservation?
Thank you very much,
Bob Weinstein
No, you can just drive up the day of the cruise.
Wonder how difficult traffic will be on Saturday before the Super Bowl getting to and into the port of Miami. I know there is a week long event at Bayfront park. How much travel margin should we leave? How much extra time to allow?
We actually went through there on Friday before the Super Bowl. Wasn’t bad at all!
Is this parking right by royal carribean ship?
Yes, if you use the port parking.
Does Miami airport offer shuttle to the port? Also, would economy parking at the airport be cheaper that port parking?
The airport doesn’t have a shuttle to the port, but you can Uber/Lyft. You could use airport parking, and it would likely be cheaper. Just remember to add in the cost and time of transportation between your car and the port.
I received a free cruise and a hotel room for the night before and a shuttle to the cruise port, but they don’t provide parking. The parking at the hotel is very expensive. Where would you recommend I park so that I don’t have to move the car the morning of the cruise and will get a shuttle ride back to my car? I will get a taxi or uber to the hotel from the parking lot.
If it were us, we would simply park at the Port of Miami. It’s more expensive than other lots, but really convenient. If you want to avoid some of the traffic, wait until later in the day to get to the ship.
How would i know if there is parking space available for me to park my car if there is no reservation?
There is ample parking at the port. You don’t have to worry about there being enough space.
Does anyone know if a Dogde Grand Caravan could be considered as a “oversize vehicles”? I am asking because I am looking to Premier Cruise Parking due to the proximity and price and I was just not sure about it
That won’t be oversized. Oversized are things like RVs.
As of today August 27, 2019 Safe Cruise is up to 80 for a week long cruise and that is before ay taxes and fees.
Thanks for the update. Price can and will vary with lots.
What about disabled person to parking is free?
If you meet certain requirements, such as having modifications to the car such as a lift ramp, then you can park for free. See more here: https://www.cruzely.com/free-disabled-parking-for-florida-cruises/
Other than disabled Florida veterans, Does U.S veterans get a discount?
Glen — we don’t see anything about that. It’s still worth a shot to ask when you arrive.
Disabled customers pay the same rates?
Assuming you meet the requirements, parking at Florida ports is free for disabled passengers. You can find more information here: https://www.cruzely.com/free-disabled-parking-for-florida-cruises/
Greetings – how do I make a reservation to park at the port of Miami?
If you want to park at the port, reservations aren’t required. Simply show up on cruise day.
Can I part à 24 foot RV, if so, how much is it?
Yes, parking is available. It costs $44 per day for an oversized vehicle.