🏨 Lodging & Transport
Where you stay and how you get around can make or break your MMW experience. Here's everything you need to plan smart.
⚠️ Know Before You Go!
- Miami hotels during MMW are 2-5x normal prices and sell out months in advance. The earlier you book, the better deals you'll find. Consider booking refundable rates in case your plans change.
- Miami Beach has introduced a lot of restrictions during March to deter Spring Breakers from coming down. Expect Checkpoints, Parking Restrictions, Curfews, Noise Limitations, etc. Gates open at 12 PM. Learn More →
📍 Neighborhood Guide
Each Miami neighborhood offers a different MMW experience. Choose based on your priorities.
🏖️ South Beach
$$$Best for: Pool parties, beach days, nightlife
Pros
- Walking distance to pool party venues
- Best beach access
- Tons of restaurants and bars
- Classic Miami experience
Cons
- Expensive area
- Far from Ultra & Factory Town (30+ min drive)
- Rampant with Spring Breakers
- Heavy traffic
🏙️ Downtown / Brickell
$$$$Best for: Ultra attendees, Club Space goers
Pros
- Walking distance to Ultra (Bayfront Park)
- Close to Club Space
- Good restaurant scene
- Large variety of lodging hotels/rentals
Cons
- Most expensive area
- No beach access
- Still far from Factory Town
- Higher rideshare costs
🎨 Wynwood
$$-$$$Best for: Label showcase goers, urban explorers
Pros
- Closer to Factory Town (20+ min)
- More affordable than Brickell or Downtown
- Elaborate art scene and culture
- Central to clubs and label showcases
Cons
- Far from beach (30+ min)
- Busy from evening to morning
- Fewer hotel options
- High rideshare prices
🌴 Mid-Beach / North Beach
$$Best for: Budget-conscious, quieter vibes
Pros
- More affordable rates
- Beach access
- Quieter for recovery
- Good balance of location
Cons
- Requires pricery rideshare everywhere
- Less walkable nightlife
- Can feel disconnected
✈️ Airport East
$$Best for: Factory Town regulars
Pros
- Closest to Factory Town! (5-10min)
- More affordable option
- Easy airport access
Cons
- Far from beach (30+ min)
- Far from Ultra (25+ min)
- No walkable nightlife
- Aircraft noise
✈️ Airport West
$Best for: Factory Town goers, budget travelers
Pros
- Still close to Factory Town! (10-15min)
- Most affordable option
- Easy airport access
- Free parking usually included
Cons
- Far from beach (40+ min)
- Far from Ultra (35+ min)
- No walkable nightlife
- Aircraft noise
🛏️ Lodging Options
Hotels
Traditional hotels offer convenience and amenities. Book direct or through travel sites — compare prices as they vary wildly during MMW.
- Luxury: Four Seasons Miami, JW Marriott Miami, Ritz Carlton South Beach
- Mid-Range: Marriott Biscayne Bay, Hilton Miami Downtown, AC Hotel Miami Wynwood
- Budget: Holiday Inn Express (Airport East), Hyatt Place (Airport West), Hampton Inn & Suites (Airport South)
Airbnb / VRBO
Can be the best value when splitting with a group. Look for places with multiple bedrooms, kitchen access, and parking.
- Best areas: South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood
- Group size: 4-8 people makes this most economical
- Use the Google Street View to check the surrounding area beforehand
- It's not uncommon for rentals to cancel leading up to an event, consider booking a hotel as a backup with a free cancellation policy
Hostels
Miami has limited hostel options, but they exist for solo travelers on tight budgets.
- Options: Generator Miami, Freehand Miami
- Expect: Shared rooms, social atmosphere, basic amenities
- Cost: $50-100/night for dorm beds
- Tip: Pack light or consider upgrading to an individual room
🚗 Getting Around Miami
Miami is spread out and traffic during MMW is brutal. Plan your transportation strategy carefully.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
$15-100+ per ride
Most convenient but expect 2-4x surge pricing after events. Can take 30+ min to get picked up outside Ultra.
Metromover / Metrorail
Free / $2.25
Metromover is FREE in downtown. Metrorail connects airport to downtown. Limited late-night hours.
Rental Car
$50-200/day
Good for airport area stays. Parking can be expensive ($30-50/day), try apps like SpotHero to secure a spot ahead of time! Not recommended for South Beach.
Walking
Free!
South Beach is very walkable. Downtown to Ultra is walkable. Everything else requires transportation.
📏 Distance & Travel Times
Approximate travel times (without traffic — add 50-100% during peak hours)
| From | To Ultra | To Factory Town | To Club Space | To South Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Beach | 25-40 min | 35-50 min | 20-35 min | — |
| Downtown/Brickell | 5-15 min | 20-30 min | 5-10 min | 20-35 min |
| Mid-Beach | 20-35 min | 30-45 min | 15-25 min | 10-15 min |
| Airport Area | 25-40 min | 5-15 min | 20-30 min | 35-50 min |
| Wynwood | 10-20 min | 15-25 min | 10-15 min | 15-25 min |
💡 Logistics Pro Tips
🏨 Booking Strategy
- Book 3-6 months ahead for best selection and prices
- Book refundable rates when possible — plans change
- Check cancellation policies carefully
- Split with friends — 4-6 people in an Airbnb is often cheapest
🚗 Transportation Hacks
- Schedule rides in advance using Uber Reserve for critical pickups
- Walk a few blocks away from venues to avoid surge zones
- Make friends and rideshare — split rides when leaving the same event
- Download transit apps — Miami Transit app for Metrorail/Metromover
⚠️ Watch Out For
- Scam rentals — only book through verified platforms
- Hidden fees — resort fees, parking, cleaning fees add up
- Bridge traffic — crossing from Beach to mainland can take forever
- Parking tickets — Miami Beach parking enforcement is aggressive
- DUI checkpoints — they're common during MMW, always have a sober ride
💰 Sample Budget Breakdown
Estimated costs for a 5-night MMW trip (per person, sharing accommodations)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging (5 nights) | $250-400 | $500-800 | $1,500+ |
| Ultra Ticket | $480 (GA) | $650 (GA+) | $1,500+ (VIP) |
| MMW Events | $100-200 | $300-500 | $800+ |
| Transportation | $150-250 | $300-500 | $600+ |
| Food & Drinks | $200-300 | $400-600 | $1,000+ |
| Flight (varies) | $200-400 | $300-500 | $600+ |
| TOTAL | $1,400-2,000 | $2,500-3,500 | $6,000+ |
Ready to Plan?
Get more tips for making the most of your MMW experience!