There are a lot of ways to get to Key West. Since I often opt for slow and cheap travel, I started to research cheap ways to get to Key West. It’s a surprisingly cheap destination to get to if you do enough research. Plus you get the added bonus of the amazing views on your way to Key West. I flew into Key West and drove from Key West to Miami. Here are some tips for getting to Key West cheaply.
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By Air
Flying directly to Key West is not the cheapest option but it’s certainly an option. Delta and US Airways are the most popular companies that fly to Key West International. More direct flights are available during the high season. Some budget airlines are starting to get to Key West like AirTran. You also have the option of flying into Marathon but you’ll still have to take transportation from Marathon to Key West.
By Bus or Shuttle
There are three shuttle and bus companies that will take you to the Florida Keys and Key West from Miami or Ft. Laurerdale. As soon as you land to either of those cities, you can hop on a shuttle straight to Key West.
- Greyhound: The journey starts at Miami International Airport. They make stops along the Florida Keys to Key West. Prices range from $50 to $70.
- Florida Keys Express Shuttle: Pick up at Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale airports. They have a 11 passenger Mercedes Benz vans and free WiFi on all their vehicles. They’ll drop you off or pick you up straight from your hotel.
- Keys Shuttle: Pick up at Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale airports. They’ll drop you off or pick you up straight from your hotel.
By Car
If you have a car and plenty of time, I would highly recommend driving. The road from Miami to Key West is beautiful. But if you’ve flown into Miami and don’t have a car, rent-a-car’s might be your only option. They’re not cheap though. If however you have a group of four or five for one car and you split the costs, you might find this cheapest option. This will also depend if you plan on leaving the car in Key West or using it for the rest of your time in the Keys. If you’re looking for passengers, you might want to try CouchSurfing.com community groups.
By Sea
Key West Express: The ferry takes approximately 3.5hrs and leaves from Ft. Myers Beach and Marco Island to Key West. It’s much cheaper if you travel between Monday and Thursday at the rate of $119.00 round-trip. This fare is called 8 Day Midweek Advance Purchase. This makes it to about equal to buses depending on when you are leaving and how advanced you book. It’s a pretty epic way to start your vacation in Key West to be on a boat for a few hours and arrive on a beautiful island.
I went to the Florida Keys as part of a media trip. All expenses were paid in exchange for coverage.
