Key West is one of the only destinations in the U.S. to embark on a vacation that feels like a tropical getaway! There is great fun to be had across the island at major attractions, island eateries, supreme shopping opportunities, incredible nightlife, and not to mention the gorgeous white sand beaches!
Though the island of Key West may be on the smaller side, it’s not always reasonable to assume you can simply walk everywhere you want to go while exploring your options. Make sure to see every inch of the island on your getaway by checking out these fun alternatives on how to get around Key West during your vacation.
A tour we think you'll love
1) Kick Start Your Trip To The Florida Keys With A Smart Arrival
Depending on where you’re located in the United States, you just might be tempted to load up your family or friends and take an epic road trip down to Key West. Though it might seem like a great idea to have your vehicle along with you for getting around the island, this can actually be a major way to bleed your budget and waste precious island time.
Not only will it take time and money to drive to your final destination, but free parking is a rare find in the Florida Keys. Rather than stealing time from yourself and spending unnecessary funds from your budget by driving, consider flying straight to the islands with a flight to Key West International Airport. You’ll arrive in no time in Key West, and they provide transportation options like free shuttle service to some area hotels and resorts, or you can always use a cab or call a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
2) Explore Key West With A Sandbar Charter Adventure
If you’re looking to have some fun with your loved ones and friends but don’t want to share the day with all the crowds, then a sandbar charter tour with Key West Boat Trips is a must! Not only does our fleet of charter boats accommodate large groups, but our guides know exactly where to whisk you away to lounge in the sea for a picturesque afternoon under the sun where crowds won’t interrupt your fun.
Take a leisurely ride through the backcountry to Mud Key to splash around on a sandbar near the mangroves, or take your whole group (up to 12 people) on an Instagram-worthy trip to some of the most popular sandbar locations around Key West.
Head to our website to check out all the sandbar fun and more and let us know how we can help you plan the perfect day on the island!
3) The Best Way to Get Around Key West Without A Lot of Planning
When you like to live on a whim and don’t want to adhere to a strict schedule, or often change what you plan on doing from one day to the next, ridesharing can be an affordable and convenient option for getting around Key West without a lot of hassle.
You won’t have to pay for any parking, there are no time limits for how long you can explore your point of interest for the day, and you won’t have to pay for gas to keep a car fueled up. Uber and Lyft are some of the readily available options on the island, so make sure you have the apps downloaded and your payment options locked in for fast and easy service!
4) Take Advantage Of The Best Public Transportation System On The Island
If you’re still wondering how to get around in Key West without breaking the budget, then consider the Duval Loop Bus! Conveniently located on Duval Street and running from the Gulf to the Atlantic, this free service has 18 stops and allows you to explore popular stops like the buoy at Southernmost Point at your leisure.
Unlike other bus services throughout the island, the Duval Bus Loop allows you to hop on and off as you wish from 8 in the morning to 10 at night. This means you can party all evening at your favorite Duval Street hot spots, or explore the island with ease by getting off at your preferred points of interest and catching the bus service as it comes back around.
Here are a few of the stops you can expect to find on the free Duval Loop bus!
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Mallory Square
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Truman Waterfront
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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
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Key West Theater
Now that you have an idea of where you can visit while on the Duval Loop Bus, here’s a tip on how to make the most of this service for getting around Key West!
Check out the free live tracker to find out exactly where the bus is and when you have to be back at a pickup point to catch a ride to your next destination!
5) How To Get Around Key West In Style
One of the most popular ways to get around on the island is to rent a Key West bike! Most of the hotels and resorts on the island have bike rentals, and you can also find shops sprinkled throughout Key West that will let you rent bikes, sometimes for up to 24 hours!
If you happen to find a rental shop that allows 24-hour island bicycles, then you’re in luck! This way you can travel the island in the evening and pick up your exploration again in the morning before returning the bike to the shop.
There are also bike racks throughout the island so that you don’t have to worry about where you’re parking your wheels as you hit up a major attraction or point of interest.
6) Check Out The Island On Your Own Two Feet
Depending on where your plans for the day take you on the island, sometimes just walking from your hotel or resort is a great way to explore Key West. If you’re close to the Historic Seaport, there are tons of closely located shops, restaurants, and fun attractions to wander to, but keep in mind that the weather in the summer can get rather hot and humid.
From the Historic District, the Historic Seaport, and other areas throughout the islands, you can find interesting walking tours where an expert guide will lead you through town and tell you all about the rich history of the islands and point out juicy tidbits you may have otherwise missed if you were exploring on your own.
7) Get Around The Island In Fun Electric Cars
Sometimes, it’s just more comfortable and convenient to have some sort of vehicle at your disposal. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars for a weeklong car rental, why not check out an electric car rental shop in town?
Electric cars are small and compact and perfect for traveling around the island at your leisure. The only thing to remember about your electric car is that you will have to pay for parking if you plan on using it to travel farther distances like New Town or visiting Old Town.
Here are just a few places you can find these handy vehicles for your Key West vacation:
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Hydro-Thunder of Key West
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Electric Car Rentals of Key West
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Key West Visit Electric Car and Gas Golf Cart Rentals
Pro tip: Look for car rental companies that offer up to six seats for your loved ones to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable as you zip around Key West in style!
8) Hop On The Old Town Trolley
Another fun alternative to public transportation is the Old Town Trolley! This is another “hop-on-hop-off” option and is a wonderful way to explore the Old Town area without spending a lot of time walking to each destination on your list.
From can’t-miss eateries to fun places to visit like Mallory Square and the Hemingway House, there are countless things to do in Old Town. The trolley stops at 13 different locations throughout Old Town and comes around frequently so you can take your time exploring around town.
Check out some of the places you can visit when you take advantage of this convenient trolley service in Old Town!
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Duval Street
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Mallory Square
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Truval Village
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Southernmost Point
There are so many places you can go while hopping on and off the trolley. Once you buy your ticket, you have a free ride for the rest of the day.
Pro tip: There are several discounts included in your ticket price, including free admission to the Sails to Rails Museum!
9) Take A Guided Tour
Another easy way to travel around Key West while still learning and taking in the great culture of the island is to get yourself a spot on one of the many guided tours. There are guided bus tours, boat tours, and walking tours all throughout the island, including exciting ghost tours the kids will love!
There are tour companies throughout the entire island, so you really can’t go wrong with where you look or which one you want to take part in.
Making The Most of Your Island Getaway
There’s no better way to experience island life than to hop on a boat and cruise the crystal clear waters to destinations that keep the crowds far behind and give you a sense of freedom and excitement.
Key West Boat Trips makes this possible by giving you several tour options to have a day of fun in the sun! Whether you want to see the sunset on our evening cruise or party for the afternoon on some of the most popular sandbars in the area, we’ve got you covered!
Visit our website now and discover all the information you need for your upcoming island adventure!
