Free Wi-fi in Miami Beach and Miami - Libraries, Trains, Bookshops, Cafés, Bars

Free Wi-fi on Metroline Train

Miami Beach has free municipal wi-fi which in theory covers most of the city, including the South Beach area. In practice coverage is patchy and I have experienced a lot of outages.

Much more reliable is the free wi-fi in the Miami-Dade libraries, including those in South Beach.

Locations for Free Wi-fi
If you are visiting Miami-Dade County and your hotel charges for wi-fi, you should be able to find free w-fi in one of the following places:

• Cafés
• Bars
• Bookshops
• Libraries
• Trains
• Buses

Wi-fi in Miami-Dade Libraries
The Miami-Dade County libraries are your best option, for reliability, ease of use and comfort. Take your own laptop, as membership is required to use one of the library's computers. There are chairs, tables and in my local library in South Beach even power points where you can plug in your computer. No password is required.

Using Skype
If you want to use Skype to make phone calls, you can't do this inside the library as talking is not allowed, but I have seen people using their laptops on the steps outside the main South Beach library.

Wi-fi on Metroline Trains
Miami-Dade Transit's Metroline trains have free wi-fi which works very well. However, these run only on a single line which passes through Downtown Miami, but nowhere near Miami Beach. The signal is very good and no password is required.

According to Miami-Dade County's website, wi-fi is also being added in train stations, but so far I I've only used it inside the trains, not on the platforms.

Wi-fi on Metromover Trains
Not only is the wi-fi free on the Metromover's little driverless trains in Miami's Downtown, but also the trains are free.

There aren't a lot of seats, but people are always getting on and off, so you shouldn't have to wait too long to sit down.

City of Miami Beach Free Wi-fi System
I live in Miami Beach, and I have tried to use the free municipal wi-fi system many times over a period of months, but with little success.

Registration Required for Miami Beach Free Wi-fi
You need to register, but after I'd done this the system more than once displayed an error message saying my username or password was incorrect. When I phoned the Miami Beach wi-fi helpline (305 722 1917) I was told there was a problem with the system. This was in the pedestrianized Lincoln Road, one of the main tourist areas.

Miami Beach Wi-fi Only at Street Level and First Floor
At home, on the fringe of South Beach, I've tried the City of Miami Beach wi-fi when my service provider was down. I didn't expect a signal in my 14-floor apartment, as the system is only intended to work at street level or one floor above.

But even in the lobby I couldn't connect. When I phoned the helpline I was told that some of the nodes are battery-operated, and those in my area needed to be replaced or recharged.

Miami-Dade Transit Buses
Wi-fi is being introduced on buses, starting with express commuter services, such as the number 95 route from Broward County to Downtown Miami. Also, wi-fi is going to be available on the number 150 Airport Flyer bus, which links Miami International Airport and South Beach.

No Registration for Starbucks Wi-fi
Registration is no longer required to use Starbucks wi-fi. Previously it was necessary to register a Starbucks card and use it at least once in 30 days, but not any more. You will find Starbucks all over the place, particularly in South Beach, but the strength and reliability of the signal varies from one café to another.

Borders Bookshops
Although Borders is my favourite bookshop in Miami, I've never used the wi-fi there. However, they told me on the phone that no password is required and that the service is available in virtually all its shops.

Wi-fi in Bars
Unless you want a drink anyway, check that the wi-fi is working before you buy anything, entering the password if necessary before you part with any money.

Here are a few places where you should find free wi-fi, but there are many, many more:

South Beach

• Miami-Dade Libraries – Collins Avenue/22nd Street and 131 Alton Road (south of 5th Street)
• Starbucks – Several on Lincoln Road and elsewhere
• Apple Store – 738 Lincoln Road

Downtown

• Miami-Dade Library – 101 West Flagler St (near Government Center Station and Downtown Bus Terminal)
• Elwoods Gastro Pub – 188 Northeast 3rd Avenue

Brickell Financial District

• Gordon Biersch Brewery – 1201 Brickell Avenue

Coconut Grove

• The Bookstore in the Grove – 3399 Virginia Street (near CocoWalk Shopping Center)

Coral Gables

• Starbucks – 200 Miracle Mile (the main shopping street)
• Borders Bookstore – Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Avenue (an upmarket shopping mall, not far from Douglas Road Metroline train station, or take the free “trolley” from Miracle Mile along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Monday-Friday till 8 pm)

Check If Wi-fi Working Before Paying
Remember, if a purchase is required to use the wi-fi, check that it's working, entering the password if necessary, before you buy anything.