Island airport, Miami connections, the Overseas Highway, buses, bikes, and parking

Getting to Key West

Fly directly into Key West for the shortest transfer, or approach through Miami or Fort Lauderdale and follow the Overseas Highway across the Florida Keys. Once in Old Town, a parked car can be more burden than freedom.

Key West International Airport (EYW), Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Overseas Highway, and Old Town

Key West flights and the US 1 drive through the Keys

Key West International Airport puts travelers on the island, while Miami and Fort Lauderdale open broader flight schedules followed by a long U.S. Route 1 (US 1) drive or bus transfer. The map shows planning corridors rather than turn-by-turn geometry; check live traffic, weather, flight, and transit information before departure.

Tap a marker to compare EYW, mainland airports, the Overseas Highway, Old Town, Stock Island, and Fort Zachary Taylor.
US 1 is the only continuous highway route through the Keys; crashes, bridges, weather, and peak traffic can change the drive sharply.

Open driving directions →

Second Star gear guide

Road Trip Essentials

Road-trip packing list

Road-trip gear

Phone mounts, chargers, coolers, emergency supplies, and small car organizers for the drive to and from the destination.

Car Phone Mounts

$26.99

Road Trip Coolers

$275.00

Car Emergency Kits

$69.95

Open road-trip guideMore picks on Second Star Guide →

Key West International Airport

Key West International Airport (EYW) is on the island, only a short transfer from Old Town and New Town hotels. Compare nonstop and connecting schedules, fares, baggage, and ground transport before defaulting to a mainland airport.

Miami or Fort Lauderdale

Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) offer broader schedules, followed by a long drive or bus transfer through the Keys. Traffic, stops, crashes, bridges, and weather make the elapsed time variable.

Overseas Highway

U.S. Route 1 (US 1) crosses the Keys on a two-lane corridor for long stretches. Daylight makes the water and bridges easier to see; fuel and meal stops also lengthen the Miami-to-Key-West drive.

Car-free arrival

Flights, intercity buses, hotel shuttles, taxis, rideshare, bicycles, and local buses can support a stay without a rental car, especially when the room is in Old Town.

Key West Historic Seaport near the walkable Old Town center

After check-in

Park once, then use the island's smaller scale

Old Town is best explored on foot, by bicycle, pedicab, bus, or short taxi and rideshare trips. Confirm hotel parking before arrival, do not assume a historic inn has a large lot, and secure bicycles properly. For Stock Island or New Town stays, compare hotel shuttles and transit frequency with the cost of repeated rides.