Transportation in Key West
Enjoy Key West and the Florida Keys
Key West Transportation
Welcome to Key West Transportation, where getting around is as breezy as the island itself! Forget the stress of big-city traffic and endless parking woes. Our charming island is perfectly sized for easy exploration, making it a joy to navigate without a car. Whether you’re here for a relaxing getaway or an adventurous escape, you’ll discover that the most popular ways to get around are designed to enhance your Key West experience, from leisurely strolls to fun, unique rides.
Walking
Walking is, without a doubt, one of the most popular and rewarding types of Key West Transportation. It is one of the best ways to experience Key West, especially within the historic Old Town area. The island’s compact size means that a vast array of its most beloved attractions, delectable restaurants, and unique shops are all comfortably within easy strolling distance.
Beyond being the most budget-friendly option, walking offers an unparalleled opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and discover the hidden gems nestled along the charming, palm-lined streets. It’s an invitation to slow down, soak in the distinctive architecture, enjoy the live music spilling from open doors, and stumble upon that perfect souvenir or a delightful cafe
Bicycles
Embracing the laid-back island vibe, biking is an incredibly popular and wonderfully convenient way to navigate the charming streets of Key West. The flat terrain and numerous dedicated bike lanes and paths make it accessible for riders of all ages and skill levels. With a wealth of bike rental shops scattered across the island, it’s easy to find the perfect set of wheels for your adventure, from classic cruisers to multi-speed options for covering longer distances.
Biking offers a fantastic balance: it allows you to cover significantly more ground than walking, reaching attractions and neighborhoods further afield, while still maintaining that intimate connection with the island’s unique atmosphere.
Feel the warm breeze on your face as you pedal past vibrant Conch houses, discover hidden gardens down quiet lanes, or cruise along the scenic waterfront. It’s an eco-friendly and invigorating way to explore, providing the freedom to stop whenever a photo opportunity arises or a tempting café beckons. Many locals and visitors alike prefer it for getting to beaches, museums, and even out to Stock Island, making it a truly immersive way to experience the best of Key West.
Golf Carts and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs)
For a uniquely Key West experience, or when traveling with a group or staying a bit further afield from the main action, golf carts and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) have become an increasingly popular and fun mode of transportation. These open-air vehicles perfectly embody the island’s relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to soak in the sights and sounds at a leisurely pace. They are particularly well-suited for navigating Key West’s often narrow streets and charming lanes, which can be a tight squeeze for larger vehicles.
Important Considerations for Key West Transportation:
- Rental Availability: Numerous rental companies offer golf carts and LSVs, providing options for various group sizes and rental durations. Be sure to inquire about age requirements for drivers, insurance, and any specific rules or restrictions from the rental company or city ordinances. It’s also important to note that golf carts are generally not allowed on the main highways or bridges connecting the islands.
- Road Rules Apply: While they might feel like a toy, golf carts and LSVs are considered street-legal vehicles in Key West (classified as LSVs in Florida if they can go between 20-25 mph). This means all standard traffic laws apply, including obeying speed limits (typically 30 mph or less on most Key West roads where they are permitted), stopping at stop signs, and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license.
- Parking Challenges: Despite their smaller size, parking a golf cart or LSV in Key West can be just as challenging as parking a full-sized car. They must be parked in designated automobile parking spaces, which are often paid and can be scarce, especially in popular areas like Old Town and near Duval Street. Don’t expect to find special, easy parking for them.
Public Transportation (Duval Loop and City Buses)
For an incredibly convenient, affordable, and eco-conscious ways of Key West Transportation, the island’s public transportation system is an excellent choice, particularly for visitors. It’s designed to alleviate traffic congestion and parking headaches, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride.
The Duval Loop:
A true gem for tourists, the Duval Loop is a city-operated bus service that offers a continuous circuit through Key West’s vibrant historic district. This fantastic service makes navigating the island’s most popular areas a breeze, with 18 clearly marked stops strategically located near major attractions, popular hotels, bustling eateries, and charming shops. It’s specifically designed to reduce the need for cars in the heart of the tourist zone, making your exploration seamless.
The buses are clean, air-conditioned, and provide a comfortable way to hop on and off as you please. As of July 7, 2025, the fare for the Duval Loop will be an incredibly budget-friendly $1 per ride, making it an unbeatable value for exploring the best of Key West Transportation.
Key West City Buses:
Beyond the Duval Loop, the city also operates regular bus routes that extend public Key West Transportation services to other parts of Key West and even to Stock Island. These routes, primarily the North Route and South Route, provide essential connections for both residents and visitors looking to venture beyond the immediate Old Town area.
Whether you’re heading to a specific beach, a less-trafficked local spot, or simply want to experience more of the island’s broader community, these buses offer a reliable solution. All city buses are air-conditioned for a comfortable ride and are fully accessible, ensuring that everyone can easily utilize this convenient mode of transport. Check the current schedule and specific route maps for the most up-to-date information on stops and timings.
Rideshares and Taxis
For those times when you need a quick, direct, or door-to-door service, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Key West, providing a convenient alternative to traditional Key West Transportation. These services operate much like they do in larger cities, allowing you to request a ride directly from your smartphone, track your driver’s arrival, and pay seamlessly through the app.
Alongside rideshares, traditional taxi services remain a reliable option. You can typically find taxis waiting at Key West International Airport (EYW), at popular hotel lobbies, or by calling one of the local taxi companies. While it might be difficult to hail a cab from the street outside of designated areas, they are generally responsive to dispatch calls.
Both rideshares and taxis are particularly useful for:
- Airport Transfers: They offer a convenient way to get to and from Key West International Airport, especially if you have luggage or prefer not to navigate public transport immediately upon arrival or departure. Rides from EYW to Duval Street, for instance, typically cost around $20 for Uber.
- Direct Rides: When you need to get to a specific destination quickly, perhaps outside of the main Old Town walking zone or after dark, these services provide a direct and efficient journey.
- Late-Night Transportation: After enjoying Key West’s lively nightlife, rideshares and taxis offer a safe and easy way to return to your accommodation.
While they offer convenience, keep in mind that surge pricing for rideshares can occur during peak demand (e.g., late nights, special events), and taxi fares are metered. However, for reliability and ease of access, they are valuable components of Key West Transportation landscape.
Trolley Tours (e.g., Old Town Trolley, Conch Tour Train)
For a delightful blend of sightseeing and convenient transportation, Key West’s iconic trolley tours, such as the popular Old Town Trolley and the Conch Tour Train, are an absolute must for many visitors. While these services are primarily designed to offer comprehensive, narrated tours of the island’s rich history and vibrant culture, their “hop-on, hop-off” functionality makes them an invaluable mode of Key West Transportation for tourists.
These open-air vehicles follow specific routes, stopping at numerous points of interest throughout Old Town and beyond, including famous landmarks like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Southernmost Point Buoy, Mallory Square, and the historic waterfront. Passengers can disembark at any designated stop to explore attractions at their leisure, then simply re-board the next trolley that comes along when they’re ready to continue their journey.
The benefits of using trolley tours as Key West Transportation are manifold:
- Effortless Sightseeing: Knowledgeable conductors provide engaging and often humorous narration, sharing fascinating facts and anecdotes about Key West’s colorful past and present, enriching your understanding of the island as you travel.
- Stress-Free Navigation: You completely bypass the frustrations of driving, navigating unfamiliar streets, and, crucially, finding parking, which can be scarce and expensive in popular areas.
- Convenient Access: With stops strategically located near major attractions, hotels, and dining hubs, these trolleys offer easy access to virtually everything you’ll want to see and do in Key West.
- Flexibility: The hop-on, hop-off model allows you to explore at your own pace, spending as much or as little time as you wish at each stop before catching the next available trolley.
Whether you choose the Old Town Trolley or the Conch Tour Train, these services offer a unique and enjoyable way to see the main sights and get around the island, combining the utility of transport with the pleasure of a guided tour.
Less Common Key West Transportation, but Still Options:
Renting a Car: Generally, renting a car is not recommended for getting around Key West itself, especially if you’re staying in Old Town, due to limited and expensive parking. It’s more useful if you plan to explore the rest of the Florida Keys.
Scooters/Mopeds: While available for rent, they are generally cautioned against due to a higher risk of accidents, especially for inexperienced riders.
Pedicabs: These bicycle-powered rickshaws can be found in the more touristy areas, offering a unique and leisurely way to travel, though they can be more expensive.
Boats and Jet Skis: For those staying on the water or looking for a more adventurous way to travel, boats and jet skis can be used to access waterfront locations.