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Key West or Miami? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Miami for a big city with South Beach, Art Deco, Little Havana's Cuban food, Wynwood and the Everglades, plus the stronger nightlife. Pick Key West for a small, walkable island town of old wooden houses, sunset at Mallory Square, Duval Street bars and boat trips to the reef. Miami is slightly cheaper on our numbers: about US$345 a day mid-range against US$375 in Key West.
Key West: suits couples, friends and first-timers who want a small island town, sunsets, snorkelling trips and bar-hopping on foot.
Miami: suits couples, friends, solo travellers and first-timers who want beaches, nightlife, Cuban food and a big-city trip.
Side by side
| Key West | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €333 US$375 local | €307 US$345 local |
| Budget day* | €164 | €142 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About US$375 a day mid-range; small island, high hotel prices | ●●●●●About US$345 a day mid-range; wider choice of hotels |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Duval Street and Mallory Square busy, especially with cruise passengers | ●●●●●South Beach and Wynwood crowded; heavy traffic |
| Food | ●●●●●Key lime pie, conch fritters, pink shrimp and stone crab | ●●●●●Little Havana, stone crab, ceviche and a broad Latin scene |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Duval Street bars, live music, late but small | ●●●●●South Beach clubs and Brickell bars until dawn |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Easy to walk, but Duval Street is adult-oriented | ●●●●●Beaches, zoo, Everglades airboats and science museum |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Walk or cycle the whole old town | ●●●●●Car-dependent; traffic heavy, transit patchy |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov | year-round, see below |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 30°C / Jan 23°C | Jul 31°C / Jan 24°C |
| Known for | Hemingway Home, Mallory Square, Duval Street, Mile Marker 0, Seaport | Art Deco South Beach, Wynwood murals, Cuban food, Everglades wildlife |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Key West and Miami day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Key West if…
- you want a small, walkable island town
- Sunset at Mallory Square and Duval Street bars appeal
- you want snorkelling or a trip to Dry Tortugas
- you like old wooden houses and a slower pace
Pick Miami if…
- you want big beaches and Art Deco South Beach
- Nightlife and clubs matter
- Cuban food in Little Havana is on your list
- you want to see the Everglades
Weather month by month
| Month | Key West high / rainy days | Miami high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C · 6 | 24°C · 10 |
| Feb | 24°C · 4 | 26°C · 12 |
| Mar | 25°C · 6 | 27°C · 11 |
| Apr | 26°C · 8 | 28°C · 17 |
| May | 27°C · 12 | 29°C · 18 |
| Jun | 29°C · 18 | 30°C · 25 |
| Jul | 30°C · 17 | 31°C · 23 |
| Aug | 30°C · 16 | 31°C · 25 |
| Sep | 29°C · 19 | 30°C · 25 |
| Oct | 28°C · 13 | 29°C · 19 |
| Nov | 26°C · 8 | 27°C · 12 |
| Dec | 24°C · 10 | 25°C · 12 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Key West
Key lime pie · Conch fritters · Cuban coffee and Cuban sandwich · Key West pink shrimp · Stone crab claws · Fresh fish sandwich
Where: Key West Historic Seaport (Key West Bight), Duval Street, Bahama Village, Mallory Square
Miami
Cuban coffee · Cuban sandwich · Pastelitos and croquetas · Frita · Stone crab claws · Ceviche
Where: Little Havana and Calle Ocho, Wynwood, Doral, Little Haiti
Doing both in one trip
7 days: 4 in Miami + 3 in Key West
Start in Miami, where most flights land, then drive the Overseas Highway to Key West and either drive back or fly out of Key West.
Getting between them: By car about 3 h 30 to 4 h on the Overseas Highway, roughly 260 km, longer in traffic. Buses take about 4–4 h 30; flights about 1 h. Check current timetables. Distance about 210 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1: Miami — South Beach and the Art Deco district
- Day 2: Little Havana and Calle Ocho, Wynwood murals
- Day 3: Everglades day trip
- Day 4: Key Biscayne or Coconut Grove, a night out
- Day 5: Drive the Overseas Highway, stops in the Middle Keys
- Day 6: Key West — Hemingway Home, Mile Marker 0, Mallory Square at sunset
- Day 7: Snorkel trip or Dry Tortugas, then return to Miami or fly out
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Common questions
Is Key West or Miami cheaper?
Miami is slightly cheaper on our numbers: about US$345 per person per day at mid-range, against US$375 in Key West. Key West has limited hotel space on a small island, so rooms are expensive, especially from January to April. Miami has a far bigger range of hotels, though South Beach prices and parking fees add up quickly.
How do I get from Miami to Key West?
Most people drive the Overseas Highway, US 1, which takes about 3 h 30 to 4 h without stops, roughly 260 km; allow longer for traffic and viewpoints. Buses run daily and take about 4–4 h 30. Flights take about 1 h. Check current timetables and parking options in Key West, which are limited.
Can I do Key West as a day trip from Miami?
It is possible, but it means seven to eight hours of driving in one day, with little time on the island. Staying at least one night lets you see sunset at Mallory Square, walk the old town in the evening, and take a snorkelling or Dry Tortugas trip the next morning. Two or three nights is better.
When is the best time to visit Key West and Miami?
Roughly November to April is the best time, with January highs around 23–24°C and lower humidity. Summer is hot and humid, around 30–31°C in July, with afternoon storms. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November and peaks around August to October, so travel insurance and flexible plans are wise then.