How to Get Around in Key West

Key West is an island city with good road communication, so during your stay you will have no problem getting from one end of the island to the other. You will be able to easily access the main attractions, whether they are located in the center of the city or further away.

You will have several means of transportation available : the tourist train, public bus, the popular golf carts, bicycle, cab and rental car. With so many options for getting around town, you'll only have to worry about finding the best things to do in Key West.

If you want to get around Key West in a fast, comfortable and safe way then you should connect with an organized tour by streetcar or tourist train. You will cover a large number of attractions in a short time, either to explore them on your own or take a scenic ride.

The Key West sightseeing tramway

The Key West sightseeing streetcar service is a type of organized excursion that will allow you to move around the center of the city for 1 or 2 days (depending on the ticket purchased). On board you can enjoy a panoramic route accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you a little about the places as you pass by.

In addition, you can hop on and off at the attractions of your interest, to explore them on your own, with about 13 free stops. For example, Mallory Square, Truman's Little White House, Henry Flagler's Sails to Rails Museum, Key West Aquarium, Bahama Village Open Air Market, among others.

• Price: the value of the ticket for 1 day on the tourist streetcar starts at 52€ per person. And, if you want to purchase the 2-day pass in Key West, the price is about €83 per person.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. The train runs every 30 minutes.

The Key West Conch Train Tourist Train

This Key West Conch Train tour is similar to the previous option. However, it changes the fact that you will not have free stops. You will move through downtown and outlying areas, observing the main historical and cultural sites, while listening to the commentary provided by the driver.

This could be one of the best Key West tours if you want to move around the city with the goal of taking a quick look at the history of the must-see sites. Such is the case of the Ernest Hemingway House Museum, the Southernmost Point Monument, the Key West Lighthouse, the Key West Shipwreck Museum, etc.

• Price: the ticket for the Conch Train has an average price of 43€ per person.
• Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

The public bus is the most economical way to get around Key West. You will be able to travel around most of the city (from west to south and vice versa) and thus access the best museums in Key West, shopping and entertainment areas, natural areas, etc.

You will have a couple of routes operated by Key West Transit, whose departure point is at the Key West station at 301 Simonton Street. In fact, there you can purchase tickets (transportation pass) for this service. The cost is about $5 per day and about $2 per trip.

Regarding the Key West public bus routes, you should know the following:

• Route 1: is available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm (Monday to Saturday) and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Sundays). The route has about 22 stops and will take you all over downtown, including the marina area where you can take a sunset boat ride around Key West. You will also pass through the island's hotel zone, with the last stop being at the Winn-Dixie store.
• Route 2: runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Saturday) and offers about 18 stops. You will move through the old town, passing by the Hemingway House, the southern area of the island until you reach the Key West Cemetery.

Renting a bike is a great way to get around town, whether you plan to stay 1 to 3 days in Key West, or even longer. With this option you'll get where cars can't, have fun and get some exercise. All this, while exploring the island at your own pace.

Bicycling in Key West is very popular among locals and tourists, because this is a small town, with flat streets and bike paths. You will be able to ride safely from one end of the island to the other, whether you go on your own or join a bike tour in Key West.

In the city you will find many bike rental companies in the downtown area, in Duval Street, around the main tourist attractions, etc. Some places where you can hire such service could be We Cycle, Eaton Bikes, Fury Key West Bike Rentals, among many others.

Information of interest

• Price: the price of renting a bike in Key West can be between 20€ to 40€ per day. It all depends on the type of bike and the company you connect with.
• Hours: Bicycle rental companies are usually open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Saturday). On Sundays, some places are closed and others offer reduced hours (approximately from 10:00 to 16:00 hours).

Cab is another means of transportation used to get around Key West. Although it is not the cheapest of all, it is the fastest option. Forexample, if you want to discover Key West at night and, perhaps, go on a pub crawl around Key West, then using a cab is very convenient. Also, if the tour you booked to explore the city does not include a transfer and you need to get to another activity on time, the cab service will allow you to get around quickly.

In the city you will find many cab stands in the downtown area, outside the airport and at the main attractions of the island. Some of the official lines include Key West Taxi, D.B. Taxi, Key West City Cab, among others.

Information of interest

• Price: The cost of cab service in Key West is based on the meter. For example, for the first 300 meters you will have to pay approximately 2€ and then about 0.5€ for every 300 meters.
• Hours: cabs are usually available at any time of the day (24/7).

If you are one of those people who like to take control of your trip, then you should rent a car to get around Key West. This is an excellent idea to make the most of your itinerary and start exploring the island as soon as you get off the plane.

With a rental car you can tour different parts of the city. For example, drive through the southern area of the city to take a dip in its beaches, explore Duval Street in downtown, visit the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, and head to the Tortugas Secas National Park (about 113 kilometers west of the city).

You can select a compact, mid-size, large, SUV, minivan or luxury car. Everything will depend on your needs and the number of people accompanying you. Whatever the case may be, there are many car rental companies available in the city center and airport area: Avis, Budget, Hertz, etc.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of a rental car can vary between 35€ and 100€ per day. This price will depend on the type of car you buy.
• Hours: usually, car rental companies in Key West are open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm (every day).

Golf carts are another means of transportation used in Key West. It is a very popular option among tourists who want to move around the city on their own in a different and fun way. Ideal if you are traveling in a group or are in Key West with children.

You will have the freedom to move all over the streets of downtown, the old town and reach the farthest parts of the island, as golf cars are legal throughout the island. Perhaps, drive down Duval Street, go to the Sails to Rails Museum in Key West, go to the south of the city and visit Smathers Beach or Higgs Beachlas, among many other destinations.

To enjoy this type of transportation you will have to connect with one of the golf cart rental companies. For example, among the most popular are Fun Rentals Key West and Paradise Rentals KW. Likewise, there are many other places available. You will only have to make a previous search, so that you avoid inconveniences.

Information of interest

• Price: the approximate value of a golf car rental in Key West starts at about 50€ per day.
• Hours: generally, golf car rental agencies are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Some companies are usually closed on Sundays or offer reduced hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., approximately.

Key West is a small and well-connected city. Therefore, you will have no problem getting around it by tourist train, car, bicycle, cab and even golf cart. However, if you wish to improve your experience, it is important that you take into consideration some tips when moving around the island.

For example:

• If you drive on your own you should know that the speed limit in the city is 25 mph.
• When using the cab service, keep in mind that in Key West it is customary to tip up to 20% of the total price of the transfer.
• To rent a bicycle, you will need a valid ID and be over 18 years old.
• Be sure to make a reservation for the car, bicycle or golf car you wish to rent, since from December to April Key West is usually very crowded with tourists.
• You must have a valid driving license with you, in case of renting a car or golf car.
• Remember to have cash, as you will need it when paying for public bus or cab service.
• Buy a day pass for the public bus. This way, you will save money compared to paying for each transfer separately.