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Key West + Florida Keys
Key West, Florida, USA · North America
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- Key West + Florida Keys · photo 1 · Radomianin · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
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- Key West + Florida Keys · photo 3 · Planet Labs, Inc. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP/JPEG for display; previews may be cropped to fit.
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A LITTLE PREPARATION. A BETTER TRIP.
Before you go
Destination intelligence: safety, disruptions, weather and practical details, before booking and before departure.
KNOW WHAT COULD AFFECT YOUR TRIP
Travel updates for Key West + Florida Keys
Conflict & securityCrime & kidnappingFloods & firesHealth & entry rulesStrikes & transportConstruction & closures
Official country guidance
Warnings, safety and security, health, entry rules and regional risks. Country advice may describe places far from your hotel; read the affected regions.
Checking official sources…
FCDO guidance is written for British travellers. Passport, visa and consular information may differ for your nationality. US travellers should also consult US travel advisories. Cruise guidance covers the countries in our sample itinerary; confirm every port with your operator.
GOV.UK content: © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Recent destination reports
Publisher headlines from Google News, up to 14 days old. These are reported news, not verified travel warnings. Confirm the location and dates in the original article.
Checking recent reports…
A news search can miss events or include unrelated places. No feed covers every hotel renovation, road closure or developing incident. Check your hotel, airline, local authorities and attraction operators directly.
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Weather & travel conditions
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Current alerts can change quickly and do not predict conditions for a trip months away. Follow local authorities and your transport provider.
Check the details that matter
Construction and hotel closures are not comprehensively reported. Confirm these directly for your exact dates.
Questions to send before booking
For my travel dates, is any renovation or construction planned at your property or nearby? Which hours and rooms are affected? Will the pool, beach access, elevators and advertised amenities be open? Can you confirm accessible access and any road closures affecting arrival? Please confirm in writing and explain my options if conditions change.
About
Catalog prices are planning estimates, not live offers. Confirm current prices, opening times and availability before booking.
Drive the Overseas Highway 113 miles over 42 bridges from Key Largo to Key West. Sunset at Mallory Square, snorkel John Pennekamp reef, and Hemingway's six-toed cats.
Recommended Hotels AI-curated · verify prices
The Marker Waterfront Resort
4-star
📍 Key West, Garrison Bight
$180–$420 / night
Modern waterfront resort with direct beach access, rooftop pool, and proximity to Mallory Square sunset celebration.
Book: Waterfront room with balcony on floors 3-5 for unobstructed sunset views and walkability to downtown.
The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
5-star
📍 Key West, South Beach
$350–$650 / night
Ultra-luxury beachfront property with private beach, award-winning spa, and fine dining overlooking the Atlantic.
Book: Ocean-view suite with private balcony on floors 2-4 for beach access and morning dolphin-watching opportunities.
Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina
3-star
📍 Key West, Marina district
$140–$320 / night
Jimmy Buffett-themed casual resort with marina access, multiple pools, and beachfront bar—great value with island vibe.
Book: Marina-view room with balcony on ground or second floor for easy pool and bar access without elevator wait.
Hyatt Centric Key West
4-star
📍 Key West, Old Town/Duval Street
$160–$380 / night
Contemporary hotel in the heart of Old Town with rooftop pool, walkable to restaurants, bars, and Hemingway House.
Book: City-view junior suite on floors 4-6 with balcony for street energy and direct walkway access to nightlife.
Pier House Resort & Spa
5-star
📍 Key West, Mallory Square
$300–$580 / night
Iconic waterfront resort directly on Mallory Square with private beach, full-service spa, and front-row sunset views.
Book: Oceanfront suite on floors 2-3 for unparalleled Mallory Square sunset access and easy beach entry.
Destination planning notes
AI-generated catalog notes, not verified customer reviews. Research current conditions and confirm details with operators.
Highlights to research
- Stunning sunset views at Mallory Square with street performers and artists
- Exceptional snorkeling and diving at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Relaxed, quirky vibe and diverse nightlife on Duval Street
- Scenic Overseas Highway drive with bridge photography opportunities
- Fresh seafood, especially conch salad and stone crab
Things to check
- Extremely expensive food, drinks, and accommodations during peak season
- Limited freshwater and occasional saltwater intrusion in taps
- Hurricane season (June-November) brings weather closures and rough seas
- Overcrowded Mallory Square and Duval Street in winter months
- High car rental costs and limited parking in Old Town
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Hover a month for details. Green = go, red = avoid.
What to Do filter by style
romantic
adventure
family
foodie
wellness
cultural
- Mallory Square sunset celebration — street performers, live music, Caribbean views
- Sunset catamaran or sailboat charter with cocktails and snorkeling
- Hemingway House & Museum tour — Ernest's home, six-toed cats, historical romance
- Dinner at Latitudes on Sunset Key — feet-in-sand beachfront dining
- Couples spa treatment at Marker Waterfront Resort or The Marker Waterfront Resort
- Snorkel John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — 75 nautical miles of reef, Christ of the Abyss underwater statue
- Dry Tortugas day trip — ferry to Fort Jefferson, snorkel pristine waters, hike Civil War fort
- Overseas Highway scenic drive — stop at Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Centre, small-town island hops
- Jet ski or speedboat rental — explore backcountry mangrove channels and shallow flats
- Key West Glass Bottom Boat tour — see reef life without diving certification
- Key West Butterfly Conservatory — walk-through tropical garden with thousands of live butterflies
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park — snorkeling, Civil War history, picnic area with shade
- Glass-bottom boat or reef snorkel tour — kid-friendly, no certification required
- Seaplane scenic tour — see the Keys from the air, thrills without extreme risk
- Key West Shipwreck Museum — interactive exhibits, climb the 65-foot tower for island views
- Conch salad at Louie's Backyard or Santiago's Bodega — fresh-catch, local specialty
- Fish House market and seafood lunch — grouper sandwich, mahi-mahi tacos, daily catch
- Duval Street food and drink crawl — Sloppy Joe's historic bar, Fogarty's Ice Cream, craft cocktails
- Key lime pie pilgrimage — Kermit's Key Lime Pie Factory (original recipe) and Cafe Solé (upscale version)
- Local brewery tour — Key West Brewery, Island City Brewing, craft beer with island twist
- Yoga at sunrise overlooking the Atlantic — multiple studios offer beachfront or rooftop classes
- Spa day at The Marker Waterfront Resort or Spa at Hawks Cay Resort — massage, wellness treatments, ocean views
- Meditation and eco-tour at Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas — quiet contemplation, pristine nature
- Beach meditation and slow travel — rent a cottage, unplugged island days, minimal itinerary
- Wellness-focused retreat package at a boutique inn — often includes yoga, healthy meals, spa credit
- Hemingway House & Museum — author's home, Nobel Prize memorabilia, literary history
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park — largest Civil War-era fort in US, museum exhibits, strategic coastal history
- Key West Shipwreck Museum — 1856 shipwreck salvage, maritime history, period artifacts
- Oldest House in Florida (Curry Mansion) — 1829 Victorian architecture, local heritage, docent tours
- Key West Art & Historical Society — local artists, heritage galleries, community cultural hub
Day Trips
Key Largo (John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, underwater statue)· 1h drive north
World-class snorkeling and diving with the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue at 25-foot depth, easily accessible from Key West.
Marathon (Seven Mile Bridge, Pigeon Key historic island)· 1.5h drive north
Iconic Seven Mile Bridge offers stunning photo opportunities and Pigeon Key provides historical railroad worker village tours.
Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas (ferry or seaplane from Key West)· 2.5h by ferry
Remote 19th-century fort surrounded by pristine reef and diverse marine life, excellent snorkeling and historical exploration.
Big Pine Key (Key Deer viewing, natural springs)· 1.5h drive north
Home to endangered miniature Key deer and crystal-clear natural freshwater springs perfect for swimming and wildlife photography.
Bahia Honda State Park (pristine beaches, Sandspur Beach)· 1.5h drive north
Some of the Florida Keys' most undeveloped and beautiful white-sand beaches with excellent snorkeling directly from shore.
Estimated per person
$1,800 – $5,000
5 days · flights + hotel + activities
Quick Facts
- RegionNorth America
- Typebeach
- Best Seasonwinter, spring
- Duration5 days
- Adventure2/5
Getting There from your area
Sample E. Coast hub ✓ Direct
~3.75 hrs
American, Delta, JetBlue
~$420 RT
Alt E. Coast hub ✓ Direct
~4.0 hrs
United, JetBlue
~$440 RT
💡 Multiple direct flights from PHL to Key West (EYW) in ~3.75 hrs; consider flying into Miami (MIA, ~4 hrs) for broader flight/price options and renting a car for scenic Overseas Highway drive (~4 hrs to Key West).
low travel burden
Flight times shown use East Coast hubs as a reference - your actual travel time will vary by origin.
Airfare & Flight Ease est. bands · click for live
Coach RT
$320–$680
typical range
First / Biz RT
$1,100–$2,200
typical range
Easiest Flight Score
6/10
No nonstop from PHL; 1-stop via MIA adds time but Overseas Highway drive is a core activity. MIA rental car + 3.5h scenic drive integrates activity into travel day. EYW direct adds layover complexity without major time savings.
Bang-for-Buck
7/10
Key West delivers authentic Caribbean culture, world-class snorkeling, and Hemingway heritage at moderate US-domestic pricing. Peak season (Dec–Apr) premium but shoulder season (May, Sept–Nov) offers excellent value: fewer cruise crowds, lower room rates, same activities. Dry Tortugas and offshore snorkeling are genuinely unique; Duval Street bar crawl and Mallory Square sunset are memorable but touristy. Overall experience-per-dollar is strong for an active beach destination.
Sample route: PHL→MIA (2.5h via American/Southwest) + 3.5h drive OR PHL→EYW (6.5h 1-stop via MIA on American/Southwest). Nonstop does not exist; EYW is a regional hub. Most travelers fly into MIA, rent car, drive scenic Overseas Highway (a major activity). Car rental essential for Keys exploration. EYW rental cars available but pricier; MIA offers better rates and more inventory.
Search live fares (sample E. Coast origins)
Swap in your home airport for a real search - PHL / EWR are shown as reference hubs.
Alt airports:
MIA (Miami International Airport) - 3.5h drive to Key West; cheaper flights, rental car needed for Overseas Highway
Practical Info
Currency
USD
Language
English (Spanish widely spoken)
Visa (US)
US citizens need valid passport; no visa required for US citizens
Airport
EYW (Key West International) or MIA (Miami International) — 45 min/3.5h drive; taxi/rideshare $35-60 from EYW or $180-220 from MIA
Tipping
18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 per service at hotels
Safety
Generally safe; avoid walking alone late night in remote areas east of Atlantic Avenue
Tap Water
safe
Power
Type A/B, 120V 60Hz (standard US)
Food / day
$75 pp