This Florida Keys travel guide covers everything you need to plan a trip from the mainland to Key West: when to visit, how to get there, where to stay, what to do, and how much it costs. The Keys are 113 miles of islands connected by a single highway, and a little planning goes a long way.
Use this guide as a starting point. Each section links to deeper resources on regions, attractions, and rentals. Pair it with our Florida Keys vacation rentals overview, where to stay in the Florida Keys, and things to do in the Florida Keys as you build your itinerary.
The Florida Keys at a Glance
The Florida Keys are an archipelago stretching from just south of Miami down to Key West, 90 miles north of Cuba. The chain is divided into four travel regions:
- Upper Keys: Key Largo, Tavernier — reef diving and Miami access
- Middle Keys: Islamorada, Marathon — sportfishing, family beaches, central base
- Lower Keys: Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda, Looe Key — quiet, eco-driven
- Key West: Old Town, Stock Island — historic, walkable, lively
Most travelers fly into Miami International (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) and drive south on the Overseas Highway (US-1). Key West also has a small commercial airport (EYW) with limited connections.
Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys have two seasons that matter for travel planning: peak (December–April) and off-peak (May–November). Each has trade-offs.
Peak Season: December – April
- Weather: Highs in the 70s and low 80s, low humidity, minimal rain
- Crowds: Heaviest of the year, especially Christmas–New Year and spring break
- Pricing: Highest of the year for rentals, hotels, charters
- Best for: First-time visitors, travelers who prioritize weather over price
Shoulder Season: May, October, November
- Weather: Warmer, occasional thunderstorms, but mostly sunny
- Crowds: Light, especially weekdays
- Pricing: 20–40% off peak rates
- Best for: Best overall value — warm water, lower prices, fewer people
Off-Peak: June – September
- Weather: Hot, humid, daily afternoon thunderstorms, hurricane risk
- Crowds: Lightest of the year
- Pricing: Lowest rates, often half of peak
- Best for: Budget travelers, divers (water clarity peaks), residents
The single best month for most travelers is May — warm water, peak weather, light crowds, before hurricane season ramps up. November is a close second. Explore more about the best time to visit the Florida Keys, or what the beaches are like in winter.
How to Get to the Florida Keys
The Keys are accessible by car, plane, or boat. Most trips combine a flight to Miami or Fort Lauderdale with a drive south.
Driving to the Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway (US-1) is the only road connecting the Keys to the mainland. It runs 113 miles from Florida City to Key West, crossing 42 bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge.
- Miami to Key Largo: 1 hour without traffic, 1.5+ with traffic
- Miami to Marathon: 2.5 hours
- Miami to Key West: 3.5–4 hours
- Speed limits: 45–55 mph for most of the drive; expect to stay slower
Flying to the Florida Keys
Three airports serve the Keys:
- Miami International (MIA) — Most flights, easiest connection point
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) — Often cheaper, adds 30 minutes to the drive south
- Key West International (EYW) — Limited routes (Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Newark), priced higher
Most travelers fly into MIA, rent a car, and drive south. EYW makes sense only if Key West is your primary or only destination.
By Boat or Cruise
Key West is a popular cruise port with day calls from major lines. Day trips by boat to Key West from Fort Lauderdale or Miami are also available on the Key West Express ferry.
Where to Stay in the Florida Keys
Where you stay for the week shapes the trip more than any other decision. The short version:
- First-time visitors/families: Marathon (Middle Keys, central, balanced)
- Divers: Key Largo
- Anglers: Islamorada or Marathon
- Couples wanting nightlife: Key West
- Quiet seekers: Big Pine Key
Sample Florida Keys Itineraries
Use these as templates and adjust based on your interests and base location.
3-Day Florida Keys Itinerary
- Day 1: Drive Miami to Marathon, lunch in Islamorada, afternoon at Sombrero Beach, dinner waterside
- Day 2: Morning snorkel trip from Marathon, lunch at Keys Fisheries, afternoon at the Turtle Hospital
- Day 3: Day trip to Key West via Seven Mile Bridge, sunset at Mallory Square, drive back
5-Day Florida Keys Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive Marathon, settle in, sunset on the dock
- Day 2: Snorkel Sombrero Reef or Looe Key, beach afternoon
- Day 3: Day trip to Key Largo for John Pennekamp glass-bottom boat or scuba
- Day 4: Day trip to Key West, Old Town walking, sunset at Mallory Square
- Day 5: Bahia Honda State Park, slow morning, drive home
7-Day Florida Keys Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive Marathon, settle in
- Day 2: Half-day fishing charter, lunch waterside
- Day 3: Snorkel trip to Sombrero Reef, afternoon at the pool
- Day 4: Day trip to Key Largo, John Pennekamp
- Day 5: Day trip to Key West, overnight optional
- Day 6: Bahia Honda State Park
- Day 7: Slow morning, late checkout, drive home
How Much Does a Florida Keys Trip Cost?
Costs vary widely by season, region, and group size. These are realistic estimates for a 5-night trip.
- Budget couple, off-peak: $1,800–$2,500 (motel, casual dining, light activities)
- Mid-range couple, shoulder: $3,000–$4,500 (hotel or condo, restaurants, charters, snorkel trips)
- Family of 4–6, peak season: $6,000–$10,000 (vacation rental, full kitchen, charters, attractions)
- Group of 8–10, peak: $7,000–$13,000 (4-bedroom rental, charter, restaurants split across guests)
Vacation rentals consistently beat hotels on per-person cost for groups of 4 or more, especially at 5+ nights.
What to Pack for the Florida Keys
- Reef-safe sunscreen (required by law in many parks)
- Polarized sunglasses
- Lightweight long sleeves for sun protection
- Water shoes for reef walks and rocky beaches
- Snorkel gear if you have it (rental is fine, but fit varies)
- Bug spray for evenings, especially in the Lower Keys
- Light rain jacket for summer thunderstorms
- Cash for tolls and small marinas
Florida Keys Travel Tips
- Drive at the speed limit. Tickets are common; locals know the limits and respect them.
- Plan around drive times. One backtrack across Seven Mile Bridge can eat 90 minutes.
- Book charters early. Especially in peak; the best captains book 30+ days out.
- Reef-safe sunscreen only. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned in many parks.
- Hurricane season is real. June–November — check NOAA before traveling.
- Tip generously. Service workers in tourist economies make most of their income from tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit the Florida Keys?
May offers the best balance for most travelers: warm water, peak weather, lower prices than December–April, and minimal hurricane risk. November is a close second. December through April delivers the most reliable weather but at peak prices and crowds.
How long should you spend in the Florida Keys?
A minimum of 4 nights for one region; 7 to 10 nights to cover multiple regions. Three-day trips force constant driving on the single-lane Overseas Highway and miss the laid-back pace that defines the Keys. Most first-time visitors find 5 to 7 nights ideal.
Is the Florida Keys expensive?
Mid-range to expensive, depending on season. Peak season (December–April) sees premium pricing on rentals, hotels, charters, and dining. Off-peak (June–September) drops 40–50%. Vacation rentals split among a group are typically less expensive per person than hotels.
What is the closest airport to the Florida Keys?
Key West International (EYW) is the only commercial airport in the Keys themselves. Miami International (MIA) is the closest large hub and where most travelers fly in. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) is often cheaper and adds about 30 minutes to the drive.
Do I need a car in the Florida Keys?
Yes, almost always. The Overseas Highway is the only way to move between the regions, and public transit is minimal. Key West is the one exception — a 4-night stay in Old Town can work without a car since most attractions are walkable.
What is special about the Florida Keys?
The Florida Keys are the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, the only national park reachable only by boat (Dry Tortugas), and a string of islands you can drive end-to-end on a single highway. The combination of accessibility, reef ecosystem, and Caribbean feel without leaving the U.S. is unique to this stretch of coast.
Is the Florida Keys safe?
Yes. The Keys are statistically among the safer destinations in Florida. Standard travel precautions apply: lock rental cars, watch valuables on beaches, and respect water conditions. The biggest practical risks are sun exposure and inexperienced boaters, not crime.
Where to Base Your Florida Keys Trip
The single decision that shapes the trip most is your base. Our Keys Cove collection in Marathon sits at mile marker 50, the geographic midpoint of the Keys. From there, day trips both north (Islamorada, Key Largo) and south (Bahia Honda, Key West) all stay under an hour, and a 4-bedroom waterfront home with a private pool and dock gives families and groups room to spread out.
Address: 2264 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
Get Directions →
Helpful resources:
- Browse Keys Cove waterfront homes
- Where to stay in the Florida Keys
- Things to do in the Florida Keys
- Explore more in our Directory
Plan Your Florida Keys Trip
The next step is choosing a property. Marathon’s mile-marker-50 location keeps day trips both north and south manageable, and a vacation rental gives families and groups the space, kitchen, and waterfront access that hotels can’t match.
Browse Florida Keys vacation rentals → | See Marathon waterfront homes →
External resource: official trip-planning information at Florida Keys & Key West tourism.