Art Basel traffic tips: Peak congestion times and transit options
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Traffic in Miami Beach. Photo: Martina Tuaty/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Pack your patience if you're hitting the road this Miami Art Week, with heavy traffic expected to begin Dec. 1.
Why it matters: Whether you're planning your visit to Art Basel or trying to avoid the art fairs altogether, we've compiled some travel tips for you.
Zoom in: Miami Beach, downtown Miami, Wynwood and the Design District will likely be the busiest spots.
- South Beach — home to Art Basel, Untitled Art Fair, Scope Art Show and more — will be especially busy.
- The MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways connecting downtown Miami to the Beach will surely be backed up.
⏰ Peak travel times: Weekday afternoons, with congestion picking up closer to the weekend, per a Miami Beach city memo.
🧠 Pro tip: If you're driving, avoid the causeways and park your car in North Beach or downtown.
- You can head to South Beach via Metrobus, ride app, Citi Bike or other free public transportation.
⚠️ Friction point: Westbound traffic on the MacArthur Causeway will likely be impeded by ongoing road work and lane reductions near the Biscayne Boulevard off-ramp downtown, per the city memo.
✅ Drivers taking the Venetian Causeway in the late afternoon or evening won't have to worry about the drawbridge opening.
- It will be locked down from 3pm to 8pm Dec. 1–Dec. 5 and from 3pm to 7pm Dec. 6–Dec. 7, except for emergencies.
⛴️ The latest: The city of Miami Beach will offer free water taxis between the Beach and downtown Miami beginning Dec. 1.
- The service will run every 10–15 minutes between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park at 1790 Purdy Ave. in Miami Beach and the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club at 1635 N. Bayshore Drive in Miami.
- Up to seven water taxis will operate from 10am to midnight Monday, Dec. 1, to Saturday, Dec. 6, according to the city's website.
- On Sunday, Dec. 7, the boats will run 10am–10pm.
🚐 Free shuttles will also connect passengers to several art fairs across the area, running every 15 minutes.
- The Dedicated Water Taxi Shuttle will operate between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and the Miami Beach Convention Center, home of Art Basel.
- The South Beach Art Shuttles will travel between the Convention Center and Collins Avenue between 10th and 11th streets.
- Mid Beach Art Shuttles will travel between the Convention Center and Mid Beach, with several stops.
- Miami Beach - Design District Shuttles will travel between the Convention Center and NE 38 St. and NE 1 Ct. in the city of Miami. (These shuttles will be allowed to run on the inside shoulders of the Julia Tuttle Causeway to reduce travel time.)
🚎 The Miami Beach Trolley will operate from 8am to midnight from Wednesday, Dec. 3, to Saturday, Dec. 6.
- Download the city's transit app to track it.