Home › Key West › How many days
How many days in Key West? 3 days, one of them 110 km out at sea in the Dry Tortugas
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Key West is the end of the road: the last island of the Florida Keys, about 260 km by road from Miami and only about 145 km (90 miles) across the sea from Cuba. Old Town is small and flat, with wooden houses, roaming chickens and bars on Duval Street, so most of it can be seen in a day by bike. Give it three days: one for Old Town and the sunset, one for the water, and one on the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park, a 19th-century fort on a remote island surrounded by reef.
Short answer
Two days covers Old Town, the sunset at Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor and a snorkel trip. The third day is for the Dry Tortugas, which should be booked well ahead.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Old Town by bike: Hemingway, Truman and the Southernmost Point
Morning. Rent a bike (about US$15-25 a day) and start at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum on Whitehead Street, where the writer lived in the 1930s; dozens of cats, many with six toes, live in the garden (around US$20-25, cash or card depending on the season). Across the street, climb the 88 steps of the Key West Lighthouse for the view over the roofs (around US$15-20).
Afternoon. Ride to the Harry S. Truman Little White House, where President Truman spent working holidays, in the Truman Annex (guided tours about US$25-30). Then go to the Southernmost Point buoy at the end of Whitehead Street, which marks 90 miles to Cuba, and expect a queue for the photo. Continue along the quiet streets of Bahama Village and past the old wooden houses of the Old Town.
Evening. Be at Mallory Square about an hour before sunset for the nightly Sunset Celebration, with street performers, food stalls and a crowd cheering the sun into the Gulf. Then walk down Duval Street to bars such as Sloppy Joe's and Captain Tony's Saloon, both linked to Hemingway-era Key West.
The free Duval Loop bus circles Old Town every 15-20 minutes. Bikes are easier, but lock them well, and ride on the street, not the pavement.
Day 2: Fort Zachary Taylor, the reef and a sunset sail
Morning. Spend the morning at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, a Civil War-era fort with the best beach in Key West, rocky but with shade and snorkelling close to the shore (a few dollars per person on foot or by bike, more per car). Visit the fort's cannons and walls before it gets hot.
Afternoon. Take a reef snorkel trip from the Historic Seaport to the coral reef about 10 km offshore, part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (about US$50-80 for 2-3 hours with gear). Back on land, visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, with gold and silver from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha, sunk in 1622 (around US$20).
Evening. Join a sunset sail on a schooner or catamaran from the Historic Seaport (around US$50-100, often with drinks), then dinner on the harbour boardwalk. Fresh fish and a slice of key lime pie cost US$35-60 per person.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on the coral. Florida's sea is warm, but the sun is stronger than it feels with the sea breeze.
Day 3: Dry Tortugas National Park
Morning. Board the Yankee Freedom ferry at about 7:30-8:00 for the trip of roughly 2h15 to Dry Tortugas National Park, about 110 km west of Key West (around US$200-250 for adults including breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear and the park fee; book weeks or months ahead). A seaplane is faster and costs much more.
Afternoon. Explore Fort Jefferson, a huge hexagonal brick fort built in the 19th century on Garden Key, with a moat and walls rising from the sea; join the free ranger or crew talk. Then snorkel off the beaches and along the moat wall, where fish and coral grow on the old bricks. The ferry usually gives about 4 hours on the island.
Evening. Return to Key West at about 17:00-17:30. Eat Cuban food in Old Town: a Cuban sandwich or picadillo with black beans and rice, and a strong cafe con leche at one of the Cuban cafes.
There is no fresh water, food or shop on the island apart from what the ferry brings. Take sunscreen, a hat and cash for the ferry bar; mobile signal is very weak or absent.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Old Town and the sunset on Day 1, and on Day 2 choose either Fort Zachary Taylor with a snorkel trip, or the Dry Tortugas. The ferry fills up, so if it is your priority, book it before you choose your dates.
Got extra days?
A 4th day can be spent on the drive itself: the Overseas Highway from Miami crosses 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Stop at Bahia Honda State Park, about 1 hour from Key West, for its beaches, and at Big Pine Key to look for the small Key deer. Further up, Islamorada is known for fishing and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo for snorkelling.
Where to stay in Key West
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hostels and motels on North Roosevelt Boulevard | The cheapest beds in Key West, a short bus or bike ride from Old Town. | US$120-250 |
| Mid-range | Old Town guesthouses | Wooden houses with porches and pools, a few blocks from Duval Street. | US$250-450 |
| Mid-range | Near the Historic Seaport | Walk to the boats, the Dry Tortugas ferry and the harbour restaurants. | US$280-450 |
| Comfort | Waterfront resorts | Resorts with private beaches and pools near Mallory Square or on the south shore. | US$450-900 |
Getting around
From Miami, the drive down the Overseas Highway (US Route 1) takes about 3.5-4.5 hours without stops, longer on weekends. Buses run from Miami and its airport, and Key West International Airport has direct flights from several US cities; a taxi to Old Town takes about 10-15 minutes (roughly US$20-30). Ferries also link Key West with Fort Myers and Marco Island in season. In town, park your car and use a bike, a scooter or the free Duval Loop bus; parking in Old Town is limited and expensive (often US$5-7 an hour). Most sights are within 2 km of Mallory Square.
What to eat in Key West
Key lime pie, made with small, tart key limes and condensed milk on a graham cracker crust, is everywhere; try several and argue about the best. Order conch fritters, fried dough with chopped conch (the shellfish is now imported, as harvesting is banned in Florida), and fresh Key West pink shrimp. Fish such as mahi-mahi and grouper come grilled, blackened or in tacos. The Cuban community has left Cuban sandwiches, black beans and cafe con leche. Lunch costs US$15-25, dinner US$40-80 per person with a drink. Tips of 18-20% are expected in restaurants.
Best time to visit
December to April is the dry season, with highs of 24-28°C and calm seas, and also the busiest and most expensive period, especially around Christmas, spring break and holidays. May and June are hotter but quieter. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October; check forecasts and buy travel insurance. October brings the adults-only Fantasy Fest, and Hemingway Days take place in July.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | 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 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$185 | about US$375 | about US$710 |
Approximate 2026 prices; Monroe County adds a tourist development tax to Florida sales tax on hotel bills (about 12.5% combined), and the Dry Tortugas ferry day costs far more than the others.
Before you go
Common questions
Is the Dry Tortugas worth it?
For most visitors, yes. Fort Jefferson is one of the largest brick forts in the Americas, and the water around Garden Key is clear and full of fish. The day costs around US$200-250 per adult on the ferry and starts early, but includes meals and snorkel gear. Book weeks or months in advance, especially from December to April.
Can I drive from Miami to Key West and back in one day?
It is possible, but it means seven to nine hours of driving on a two-lane road, with traffic in the Upper Keys, for a few hours in Key West. You miss the sunset at Mallory Square and the Dry Tortugas. Spend at least two nights, and drive slowly, stopping at Bahia Honda and the Seven Mile Bridge.
Does Key West have good beaches?
Key West's beaches are small compared with the rest of Florida, because the reef offshore blocks the waves that build sand. The best are at Fort Zachary Taylor, with shade and snorkelling, Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach on the south shore. For a larger, classic beach, drive about an hour to Bahia Honda State Park.
Do I need a car in Key West?
Not in town. Old Town is compact and flat, and bikes, scooters, the free Duval Loop bus and taxis cover everything. Parking is scarce and expensive. A car is useful only for the drive from Miami and stops along the Overseas Highway. If you fly in, you can easily stay without one.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan may earn a commission; the price you pay is the same. How we make money.