A Key West day trip from Miami is worth it if you want to see the Overseas Highway and get a first taste of Key West, and you accept that much of the day is spent on the road. It is not the right fit if you want slow hours in Old Town, a late night on Duval Street or time on the water; for that, stay at least one night. If you go for the day, letting someone else drive is what makes it enjoyable. Ace Tours Inc runs its own Key West day trip, quoted for your group.
What the day actually looks like
The trip runs south from the mainland through Florida City, then onto US-1, the Overseas Highway, down the island chain: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, across the Seven Mile Bridge, and on through the Lower Keys to Key West at the end of the road. The same road brings you back.
Expect an early start and a late return. The highway is mostly two lanes through much of the Keys, so one slow stretch or a busy weekend can stretch the drive. The hours in Key West sit in the middle of the day, which is enough for a walk through Old Town and a meal, not enough to see everything.
Who a Key West day trip suits
The day trip makes sense for some travelers more than others.
- First-time visitors who want to see the Keys and the bridges at least once
- Cruise passengers with a spare day in Miami before or after sailing
- Groups and families who want one shared outing without anyone driving
- Travelers who enjoy the scenery of the drive as much as the destination
- Visitors with no time in their trip for an overnight stay
Who should stay the night instead
If Key West itself is the goal, give it at least one night. The island changes after dark, and the late afternoon and evening are when many visitors most enjoy Old Town and the waterfront by Mallory Square.
An overnight also suits snorkel, dive and fishing trips, which need a full day on the water. In that case a one way transfer down and a separate ride back can work better than a round trip in one day. Ace runs one way transfers from MIA and FLL to Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West, and charters in the Keys.
Is it worth it to drive to Key West from Miami yourself?
Yes for one or two people who enjoy the drive; for a family or group, usually not. Driving gives you the most freedom: stop where you like, leave when you like. The cost is the driver's day. Whoever drives does the whole road twice, the second time after a long day of walking in the sun. They also miss most of the views they came for.
Parking in Old Town can take time to find, and you pay for it on top of fuel and, for many visitors, a rental car. For a family or group, one driver doing all of that while everyone else watches the water is a hard sell.
The ways to get from Miami to Key West, compared
Ace does not publish prices, so this compares what each option asks of you rather than what it costs.
| Option | Good for | What it asks of you |
|---|---|---|
| Drive yourself | One or two people who like driving | The whole road twice, plus parking in Key West |
| Public buses | Solo travelers with time and light bags | At least one change of bus and a long day |
| Fly into Key West (EYW) | Overnight stays | Airport time at both ends; you miss the drive |
| Day trip by coach | Groups, families and first-timers | A fixed plan for pickup, stops and return |
| One way transfer | Overnight stays with luggage | Booking the return separately |
What is the cheapest way to get to Key West?
For a solo traveler, public buses are usually the cheapest way to Key West; for a group, a shared coach or van can cost less per person than a rental car, fuel and parking. The buses link the mainland with the Keys and run on to Key West, but you change buses on the way and the trip takes far longer than a direct ride.
For a group, the math changes. A coach or van shared by the whole group can compare well per person with a rental car, fuel and parking, and nobody has to drive. Ace quotes each group trip, so call with your head count and pickup and compare.
How Ace runs the Key West day trip
Ace runs the Key West sunset strip day trip itself, with its own drivers. The trip is quoted for your date and group, and dispatch sets the pickup point and time, the stops and the return time with you when you book.
For a private group, the vehicle is sized to your head count: a Sprinter van with a driver for a small party, a minibus for 15 to 20 people or a full size motorcoach for 56. Call (954) 250-6667, 24/7, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Tips if you go for the day
A little planning turns a long day into a good one.
- Pick a weekday if you can; weekends and festival weeks are busier on the road.
- Bring sun protection, water and comfortable walking shoes.
- Choose two or three things to see in Key West rather than a long list.
- Keep a light jacket for the air conditioned ride home.
- Plan around Fantasy Fest and other big weeks, which fill the island.
