How to Get to Biscayne National Park: Airports, Access & Transportation
Biscayne National Park sits at the southern tip of Florida, about 34 miles south of Miami and 10 miles east of Homestead. Miami International (MIA) is the main airport; allow 45 minutes to 1 hour of driving to reach the park entrance. There's one thing to know before you plan anything: water covers 95% of Biscayne. Convoy Point is the only area you can reach by car. You'll need a boat to explore the islands and reefs.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Miami International Airport MIA · 22 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport OPF · 29 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport FLL · 40 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport South Bimini Airport BIM · 61 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport President Donald J. Trump International Airport PBI · 83 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport for Biscayne National Park?
Miami International (MIA): The Main Airport
Miami International is the closest airport to Biscayne. It's about 34 miles north of Convoy Point, the park's only land entrance. Rental car agencies are right in the terminal, and renting a car is practically essential since public transportation to the park is extremely limited. See below for alternatives.
From MIA, take the Florida Turnpike south. The route is direct and well signed all the way to Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard).
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL): The Budget Alternative
Fort Lauderdale is about 59 miles from Convoy Point, or 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Flights are often cheaper, especially on U.S. low-cost carriers such as Spirit and Frontier. If the savings make the detour worthwhile, it's a solid option, particularly if your road trip will take you north through Florida afterward.
Getting to Biscayne from France: Nonstop or Connecting Flight?
Nonstop flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Miami International operate year-round, including with Air France. The flight takes about 9.5 to 10 hours. From Lyon, Bordeaux, or Marseille, you'll need to connect, usually in Paris or Madrid, bringing the total travel time to 12 to 15 hours.
For entrance fees and annual passes valid at Biscayne, the National Parks Fees & Passes page has the key information.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities
A car remains the most flexible way to reach Biscayne. Here are the standard distances and drive times from the region's main cities:
| Starting point | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Miami | 34 miles | 45 min to 1 hr |
| Homestead | 10 miles | 15 to 20 min |
| Miami Beach | 40 miles | 50 min to 1 hr 15 min |
| Fort Lauderdale | 59 miles | 1 hr 15 min to 1.5 hrs |
| Key West | 124 miles | 2 to 2.5 hrs |
Traffic around Miami can add significant time to these estimates. Avoid rush hour, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Driving from Miami: Take the Florida Turnpike south to Exit 6 (Speedway Boulevard). Turn left and continue south to SW 328th Street, also called North Canal Drive. Turn left. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is about 4 miles away at the end of the road.
Biscayne fits easily into a Florida road trip. The park lies naturally between Miami and Everglades National Park, or works as a first stop before you head down to the Keys. To plan your visit, see our Biscayne Itinerary & Trip Length page.
Biscayne's Entrance: Convoy Point
The park has just one land access point: Convoy Point, at 9,700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033. This is where you'll find the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and where all park activities begin.
On site, you'll find free parking, a boat launch for canoes and kayaks, picnic tables, a walkway along the pier, and a direct view of Biscayne Bay. The Visitor Center includes a museum, documentary films about the park, and an art gallery.
There's no entrance fee to drive into Convoy Point. Fees apply to organized boat trips. Our Biscayne National Park guide covers all the details on regulations and safety.
Getting Around Biscayne: Boats, Kayaks, and Guided Trips
This is what makes Biscayne unique: you can't visit the park by car. The islands, including Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, and Adams Key, and the coral reefs are accessible only by water. From Convoy Point, you can launch your own boat, join a trip organized by the Biscayne National Park Institute, or rent a sea kayak. Our Getting Around Biscayne guide covers navigable areas, boating precautions, and booking options.
Other Options: Tours from Miami and Public Transportation
If you're visiting Miami without a rental car, organized tours departing from downtown can take you to Biscayne for the day. They generally include round-trip transportation, a boat, and snorkeling gear. It's the simplest way to see the park without handling the logistics yourself.
Public transportation through Miami-Dade Transit doesn't go directly to Convoy Point. The bus system gets you as far as Homestead, leaving about 9 miles to cover by taxi or Uber. It's realistic for flexible travelers, but difficult if you're carrying water-sports gear.
In Summary: Which Route Makes Sense from Your Starting Point
From France: Take a nonstop flight from Paris-CDG to Miami (MIA), rent a car at the airport, and follow the Florida Turnpike south to Exit 6. Then drive about 4 miles on North Canal Drive to Convoy Point. Drive time from the airport is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
From Miami or Miami Beach: Drive to Convoy Point, a trip of 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on traffic. Without a car, an organized tour is the only practical alternative.
As part of a Florida road trip: Biscayne fits naturally between Miami and Everglades National Park. To choose the right season, keep in mind that the dry season from December through April also makes driving and boating easier. See our When to Visit Biscayne guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport is closest to Biscayne National Park?
Miami International (MIA) is the closest airport to Biscayne National Park, about 34 miles north of the entrance at Convoy Point. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), 59 miles away, is often a cheaper alternative.
What's the difference between Biscayne National Park and Key Biscayne?
Key Biscayne is a residential community in Miami, an island connected to the mainland by the Rickenbacker Causeway, about 9 miles from Miami Beach. Biscayne National Park is 34 miles farther south, near Homestead. They're two distinct places, and travelers often confuse them when searching online.
How far is Biscayne National Park from Miami Beach?
Convoy Point, the park entrance, is about 40 miles from Miami Beach, or a 50-minute to 1-hour-15-minute drive depending on traffic on the Florida Turnpike.
What can you do at Biscayne National Park?
Biscayne is primarily a marine park, with snorkeling and diving on the coral reefs, kayaking in the bay, and visits to historic islands such as Boca Chita Key, with its lighthouse, and Elliott Key. For the full list of activities, see our Things to Do page.
Where is Biscayne National Park?
Biscayne National Park lies in southernmost Florida, in Miami-Dade County, about 34 miles south of Miami and 10 miles east of Homestead. The entrance is at 9,700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033.