Cheap flights to Key West
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
EYW
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-5
Opportunities already detected to Key West
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Identity
The southernmost point of the continental United States
At the far end of the Florida Keys, Key West marks mile marker zero of the legendary US 1. The island is about 4 miles (6 km) long and 1 mile (2 km) wide, and 26,444 people lived here at the 2020 census (Wikipedia). Cuba lies about 95 miles (150 km) away at the nearest point and Havana about 106 miles (170 km): the island cultivates an identity of its own, locally dubbed the Conch Republic, with a laid-back mood very different from the rest of Florida.
The southernmost point is marked by a large concrete buoy erected in 1983, free to visit though often with a queue for the photo.
History
From the Calusa to the Cuban cigar town
The island was home to the Calusa when Juan Ponce de Leon sighted it in 1521. Its Spanish name, Cayo Hueso, Bone Key, became Key West when Florida passed to Britain in 1763. In 1822 the United States took possession (Wikipedia).
In the late 19th century the cigar industry drew many Cubans, who made up nearly half the town in 1890, and Jose Marti recruited volunteers here. The Overseas Railroad linked the island to the mainland in 1912; the Overseas Highway followed in 1938 along the same route. President Truman spent 175 days in Key West over his visits.
Airport and distances
EYW: a small airport at the end of a long road
Key West International
The airport lies 2 to 4 miles (3 to 6 km) east of downtown, depending on the source (Wikipedia, Wikivoyage). Its single 5,076-ft (1,547 m) runway limits aircraft size: the largest types are the Airbus A319 and Boeing 737-700.
Direct flights link Key West with Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Newark and Washington, with seasonal routes to other cities (Wikipedia). Fares from the airport tend to be higher than at Miami or Fort Lauderdale (Wikivoyage). From Europe, allow about 10 hours with a connection, often in Miami.
Taxis and ride-share are plentiful at the airport, and the old town is a short ride away, around ten minutes.
By road, Miami is about 165 miles (266 km) away and roughly 3.5 hours by car along the Overseas Highway; the Greyhound coach takes about 4.5 hours. A fast ferry also links Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island to Key West in about 3.5 hours (Wikivoyage).
| Landmark | Indicative distance or time |
|---|---|
| Airport to the old town | 3 to 6 km; around ten minutes |
| Miami to Key West by car | about 266 km; about 3.5 hours |
| Key West to Havana | about 170 km |
| Key West to Fort Jefferson (Dry Tortugas) | about 109 km to the west |
| Crossing Duval Street | 1.8 km, 14 blocks |
What to see
Duval Street and the Hemingway House
Duval Street crosses the island end to end, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km), between lively bars, shops and galleries, passing the historic Key West lighthouse and the house where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote from 1931 to 1939, at 907 Whitehead Street. Built in 1851 for a ship's architect, the property is today the island's most visited tourist site, also known for its fifty or so six-toed cats, descendants of a cat given to the writer.
In late April the Conch Republic Independence Celebration enlivens the town for nine days (Wikivoyage).
Not to miss
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Every evening since the 1960s the Sunset Celebration turns Mallory Square into an open-air stage two hours before sunset: street performers, musicians, fortune tellers and street vendors fill the square facing the horizon, in a tradition traced back to the playwright Tennessee Williams, said to have been the first to applaud the sun sinking into the ocean.
The sailboats out on the water at dusk are a show of their own: you can watch from the waterfront or join a boat trip.
Museums and monuments
Hemingway House, Little White House, lighthouse and forts
Hemingway House. The island's most visited site, with tropical gardens and its polydactyl cats.
Little White House. President Truman's winter White House, where he spent 175 days, can be visited in the Truman Annex district (Wikipedia).
Lighthouse and museums. The Key West lighthouse holds a museum with a view over the town; the Key West Museum of Art and History and the Shipwreck Museum, with its observation tower, complete a town itinerary (Wikivoyage).
Forts and heritage. Fort Zachary Taylor, built from 1845 to 1866, holds the largest collection of Civil War cannon in one place (Spanish Wikipedia); the Martello towers, the Audubon House (1846-1849) and the cemetery, founded in 1847, add to the heritage. Fort Jefferson, in the Dry Tortugas, lies about 109 km to the west.
Prices. Entry to the Hemingway House, the Little White House and the lighthouse is roughly 10 to 15 dollars each according to Wikivoyage; prices change, so check before you go.
Food and drink
Key lime pie, seafood and Cuban flavours
Key lime pie is the island's signature dessert, though its origin is disputed. Seafood dominates: conch fritters, spiny lobster and raw bars such as the Half Shell Raw Bar. Cuban heritage can be tasted at El Siboney and El Meson de Pepe (Wikivoyage).
Drinks and bars. Sloppy Joe's, at 201 Duval Street, is linked to Hemingway; Captain Tony's Saloon, at 428 Greene Street, is famous for its Pirate's Punch; the Green Parrot, leaning to blues, and the open-air Schooner Wharf Bar on the Bight complete the list (Wikivoyage).
Meal budget. Meal prices range from cheap Cuban cafes and seafood bars to upscale dining rooms. We do not publish precise prices, as they change.
Getting around
Getting around a small island
The island is small and the old town is covered on foot. Bikes, scooters and golf carts are very common and are often parked on the sidewalk, whereas car parking is limited and expensive on narrow one-way streets. Key West Transit runs a bus network that reaches up to Marathon. Taxis and ride-share are plentiful and affordable (Wikivoyage).
If you arrive by car, leave it at your lodging and get around another way.
When to go
When to visit Key West?
Spring
Pleasant warmth and still moderate humidity, before the summer heat builds.
Summer
Very hot and humid, with highs around 33 C; it is also the wet season, May to October, with showers often in the morning.
Autumn
October is still in hurricane season, which runs from June to November; the weather turns drier in November.
Winter
High tourist season: highs around 24 C in January and a dry season from November to April, much sought after by visitors fleeing the European winter.
Key West has a tropical Aw climate, with about 1,027 mm (40 in) of rain a year and more than 3,400 hours of sun (Wikipedia). The sea is 22 C in January and 30 C in August. It has never recorded frost or snow (Wikivoyage).
Hurricanes are rare but real: Irma struck the Keys as a Category 4 storm in September 2017, and Wilma flooded about 60% of homes in October 2005. Follow official forecasts and evacuation instructions if you travel from June to November.
Budget
A higher price level than the rest of Florida
Key West is one of the most expensive destinations in Florida, especially for lodging in winter high season and during events. Wikivoyage lists rooms from a little over 75 dollars to over 500 dollars a night depending on the property, older figures to be checked. Meals, boat trips and parking also weigh on the budget.
To keep costs down, favour the low season, stay near the centre so you can skip the car, and use free sights such as the southernmost point buoy and the Eco-Discovery Center.
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By length of stay
What to do in Key West depending on how long you stay
The essentials
Duval Street and the Hemingway House, then the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.
Going deeper
Add the lighthouse, the Little White House, a museum and a boat or kayak trip around the Keys.
Overseas Highway
Drive back up the road to Miami, stopping in the neighbouring Keys.
What to see
The turquoise waters of the Keys
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Key West
What is Key West's airport?
Key West International (EYW), 3 to 6 km east of the centre at the end of the legendary Overseas Highway; direct flights link it to Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte and other cities.
How do I get from the airport to the old town?
By taxi or ride-share, a short ride of around ten minutes. The old town is then covered on foot or by bike.
How long is a flight to Key West from Europe?
Generally around 10 hours depending on your departure city, most flights involving a connection, often in Miami.
When is the best time to visit Key West?
The dry season, from November to April, with highs around 24 C. Summer is hot, humid and within hurricane season, June to November.
How long does it take to get from Miami to Key West?
About 3.5 hours by car along the Overseas Highway, around 266 km, or about 4.5 hours by Greyhound coach.
How many days should I plan in Key West?
One or two days cover Duval Street, the Hemingway House and the Sunset Celebration; three days or more let you add museums, a boat trip and the drive back up the Overseas Highway.
Which museums and monuments should I visit in Key West?
The Hemingway House, Truman's Little White House, the lighthouse, Fort Zachary Taylor, the Audubon House and the Museum of Art and History.
What should I eat in Key West?
Key lime pie, seafood, conch fritters and Cuban food, with a cocktail in one of the bars on Duval Street.
How do I get around Key West?
On foot, by bike, scooter or golf cart in the old town, by Key West Transit bus, taxi or ride-share.
Is Key West an expensive destination?
Yes, it is one of the most expensive destinations in Florida, especially lodging in high season. We do not publish precise prices.
What is the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square?
A daily tradition since the 1960s: two hours before sunset, street performers, musicians and vendors fill the square facing the ocean, until the sun disappears on the horizon.
How much does a flight to Key West usually cost?
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How do I get alerted when a flight to Key West drops below my budget?
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