Key West on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Key West is hard to do cheaply, mainly because of hotel prices, but sunsets, beaches and Old Town walks are free or cheap. A realistic minimum is about US$185 a day per person sharing a room — around US$80 for a bed, US$50 for food, US$40 for sights and US$15 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$80 | US$170 | US$320 |
| Food & drink | US$50 | US$90 | US$160 |
| Sights & tickets | US$40 | US$90 | US$180 |
| Local transport | US$15 | US$25 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$185 | US$375 | US$710 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Key West day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
- The Southernmost Point buoy at the end of Whitehead Street
- Walking Duval Street and the wooden houses of Old Town
- The streets of Bahama Village
- Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach on the south shore
- The Harbor Walk at the Historic Seaport, and the free Duval Loop bus
Cheap eats
- Cafecito or café con leche at a Cuban coffee window — about US$2–5
- A Cuban sandwich — about US$12–16
- Conch fritters from a seafood shack — about US$12–18
- Smoked fish dip with crackers — about US$12–18
- A slice of Key lime pie — about US$8–12
Where to sleep for less
The cheapest beds are in hostels and motels on North Roosevelt Boulevard, a short bus or bike ride from Old Town, at roughly US$120–250 a night for a room, plus taxes. A hostel dorm bed is the cheapest option; book well ahead for December to April.
Getting around cheaply
Rent a bike (about US$15–25 a day) or use the free Duval Loop bus around Old Town. From Key West International Airport, a taxi takes 10–15 minutes and costs roughly US$20–30. Buses also run from Miami and its airport, which is cheaper than renting a car for a short stay.
A sample budget day
- Morning: café con leche and a Cuban sandwich (about US$18), then a bike ride to the Southernmost Point
- Lunch: picnic or fish tacos (about US$15)
- Afternoon: Fort Zachary Taylor beach and fort (a few dollars on foot or by bike)
- Evening: free Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, then conch fritters and a drink (about US$25)
- Total: about US$185 including a shared room (about US$80) and bike rental
More ways to save
- Stay on North Roosevelt Boulevard and ride or bus into Old Town.
- Bring a refillable bottle; tap water is safe and drinks are expensive.
- Choose one paid water trip — a reef snorkel or the Dry Tortugas — rather than several.
- Look for happy hours on Duval Street, but check the small print on drink specials.
- Decline street offers of 'free' activities that require a timeshare presentation.
- Visit outside the December–April peak for lower room rates.
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Common questions
Can you visit Key West on a budget?
It is hard, because of hotel prices, but many highlights are free. Plan on at least US$185 a day per person sharing a room.
Do I need a car in Key West?
No. Bikes, the free Duval Loop bus and taxis cover Old Town, and parking is scarce and expensive.
What is free to do in Key West?
The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, the Southernmost Point, Old Town walks, Bahama Village and the south-shore beaches.