Cheap Flights to Key West

Adopted as a favourite hideaway by famous American artistes including author Ernest Hemingway and musician Jimmy Buffet, Key West's magnificent landscapes seem to draw out the best in those who come to stay. Whether it's young spring breakers or sun-loving pensioners, Key West continues to be popular with tourists across the board who are drawn here by the sunny skies, scenic beaches, and exciting nightlife. At first glance, the island appears to have borrowed more atmosphere and charm from nearby Cuba than the American mainland. And when you add in the brilliant sunshine, warm Caribbean waters, and the fact that there's really nothing around to take away from spectacular sea views, and it's easy to see why you will find flights to Key West booked solid for most of the year.

The island's history includes pirates and Spanish conquistadors, and more recently, Nobel Laureates and US Presidents too. You can spend your time here revisiting their glory days, head straight for the shore, or make the most of your trip by visiting in time for Lobsterfest or Halloween Fantasy Fest. Whatever you choose to do here, cheap Key West flights are just a few clicks away.

Key West International Airport (EYW) is served by American Airlines, AirTran, Cape Air, Continental, Delta, and US Airways and it will take you less than five minutes to travel from the airport to downtown Key West.

Due to the limited service of flights to Key West, fares can get quite expensive in the peak tourist season. A cheaper alternative for many visitors is to fly to Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) or Miami International Airport (MIA) and then take the shuttle bus to the Keys.

Key West's tropical weather makes it a popular destination throughout the year, but flights to the island sell out quickly in the wintertime, which is the peak season for travel to the Florida Keys. Between November and April you will encounter some of Florida's mildest weather and although there is some of amount of rainfall to be expected, it is nothing to compared to the downpours you will face if you book Key West flights for the summer.

The always-dependable rainfall, threat of hurricanes, and temperatures hovering in the high low 30s (Celsius) keep flights to Key West cheap between May and October. However, if you want to avoid the worst of the wet season and still get discounts on airfares, book your flights in the shoulder seasons of early November or the first two weeks in May.

Key West International Airport (EYW) is a small airport and ground transportation options are limited. For more details on any of the transport options listed below, visit the airport's website or Key West's city transport page.

Public Transit: The City of Key West Department of Transportation operates buses which loop around the island and include stops at the airport. To get to the city centre and most hotels on the island, take southbound buses on the Green or Blue routes and pay approximately $2 USD for a one-way fare. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and the disabled.

Bear in mind that the frequency of buses can vary between 10-30 minutes so if you wan to get to your hotel as quickly as possible, take a cab instead.

Taxi: Cabs are easily available outside the airport and a trip to the city centre will cost approximately $15-20 USD, depending on how far south you're going. This is by far the most convenient way to travel from the airport.

Shuttle Services: If you skip booking flights to Key West in favour of cheaper fares to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you can book tickets on the Keys Shuttle which offers door-to-door minivan services six times a day throughout the week. Fares are about $90-100 USD for a one-way trip to downtown Key West in a shared-ride shuttle. If you'd like an exclusive vehicle, prices start at $450 USD one-way.

Car Rental: While companies like Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty operate booking kioks at the airport, you will have to use a complimentary shuttle service to travel to the rental facilities operated by Enterprise, National, and Alamo. Unless you are hiring a car to drive back to an airport in mainland Florida, don't bother with a rental car during you stay in Key West. The island can easily be explored on foot and this is probably the best way to experience it.