How to get from Miami to Key West

Four ways cover the route: drive yourself, take a scheduled bus, fly, or join a day tour that returns the same evening. The drive is the only option that lets you stop at Islamorada, Marathon or Bahia Honda on the way, which is why most travellers choose it.

Prices are 2026 estimates for one adult, one way, and change with season and how early you book. Winter (December–April) is peak: rental cars and bus seats sell out first.

Take US-1 south from Miami through Homestead and Florida City, then the 42 bridges of the Overseas Highway to Key West. The drive is about 260 km (160 mi) and takes 3.5 hours with no stops, 4.5 hours or more once you add a lunch and a beach. Fill the tank in Florida City or Homestead: fuel stations become sparse and pricier further down the chain.

Tolls apply on the Miami side, roughly US$4.50–5 each way with a transponder (2026 estimate); without one, the rental company adds a daily admin fee. Parking in Key West is the real cost — street meters and lots near the historic district run US$4–6 an hour in season (2026 estimate), and many guesthouses include a space, so ask before booking.

One-way rentals are possible but usually carry a drop fee, and some companies restrict Florida Keys drop-offs; confirm before you reserve. If you only want the drive and not the car in Key West, a one-day round trip is doable but long — leave Miami by 7am.

Scheduled buses run from Miami to Key West, usually one to three departures a day, taking 4–5 hours with a stop in Marathon or Key Largo. Fares sit around US$30–50 one way in 2026, cheaper booked a few weeks out and midweek. The bus drops you in central Key West, which suits travellers who do not want a car on the island.

Seats are limited and winter weekends fill early. Bring a jacket for the air conditioning and a snack; services on board vary by operator.

Flights from Miami to Key West take about an hour in the air, but few seats operate and fares run higher than the bus or a shared drive — expect US$150–400 one way in 2026. Add airport time at both ends and the total is often close to the drive. The upside is the view over the Keys on a clear day and no tolls or parking.

Key West airport is small and close to the centre, a short taxi or rideshare ride from most guesthouses. Book early for holidays and the winter season.

Book buses and flights on the operator's own site or app, where changes and refunds are handled directly. For rental cars, compare the Miami airport desks and reserve a specific class; the cheapest rates are prepaid and non-refundable, so read the cancellation terms.

Day tours are sold through operator sites and ticket platforms; check whether hotel pickup is included and whether the return is the same day. In peak season, reserve everything before you leave home — the last rental cars and bus seats go first.

Drive south in the morning and north in the afternoon to keep the sun behind you. Hurricane season runs June–November and the Keys evacuate first when a storm approaches, so keep an eye on forecasts and your booking's change policy.

If you are continuing north afterwards, the same logic applies in reverse: see the Miami to Orlando route for the next leg, and use the Miami guide for getting around the city without a car.

The route follows US-1 from Miami through Homestead, Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Big Pine Key to Key West, crossing the Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon. Approximate start point in Miami: 25.7617, -80.1918; Key West: 24.5551, -81.7800 (approximate).

Allow extra time for the two-lane stretches where a slow vehicle or an accident can add an hour. There is no train or ferry on this route; the car, bus and plane are the options.