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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Key West Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
United States – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary. |
| Etiquette: | Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated. |
| Thanksgiving (November) |
A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges. |
|---|---|
| Independence Day (July) |
Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide. |
| Christmas (December) |
Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Lyft, Bolt |
| Helpful links: |
Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine |
| Other: | The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Key West, United States
Hurricane season June to November, peak August to October; evacuations can close the Keys with little notice
Fantasy Fest costume festival with parades runs about ten days, ending the Saturday before Halloween; hotels book out
Peak season is December to April, with the highest prices at Christmas, New Year and spring break
Don't miss
- 🌅 Watch the sunset celebration at Mallory Square
- 🐈 Visit Ernest Hemingway’s House and meet its six-toed cats
- 🤿 Snorkel in the coral reefs of Dry Tortugas National Park
- 📍 Pose by the Southernmost Point Buoy of the continental U.S.
- 🍹 Explore Duval Street’s lively bars and Caribbean energy
- ⛵ Sail on a sunset cruise through turquoise waters
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Key West?
Key West is perfect for those who crave a blend of history, adventure and pure relaxation. Explore Hemingway’s former home, snap a photo at the Southernmost Point or simply lose yourself in the buzz of Duval Street’s bars, galleries and cafés. The beaches aren’t the powdery white sand you might expect – think rocky, narrow strips – but the turquoise water is warm and snorkeling at Fort Zachary Taylor is a highlight. The island’s compact size makes it easy to explore by bike or on foot and the sunset celebration at Mallory Square is a must. Downsides? It’s expensive, especially for hotels and dining and crowds can be intense in winter and during festivals. Hurricane season (August–October) brings higher humidity and the chance of storms. Parking is tricky and the party scene can get rowdy at night, so families might want to stay closer to the quieter beaches.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Fantasy Fest
-
Key West Songwriters Festival
-
Conch Republic Days
-
Key West Pride
-
Hemingway Days
-
Key West Food & Wine Festival
-
Parrot Head Week
-
Goombay Festival
-
New Year’s Eve Shoe Drop
-
Sunset Celebration (daily at Mallory Square)
Knowledge before you go
- Secure valuables on Duval Street; crowds invite petty theft.
- Hurricane season runs June–November; watch forecasts and keep flexible bookings.
- Be cautious in the water; many beaches lack lifeguards and conditions change quickly.
- Skip driving downtown – rent a bike, use lights at night and lock it everywhere.
How to travel to Key West
Key West International Airport has direct flights from major Florida cities and some U.S. hubs. Driving the Overseas Highway from Miami is a scenic adventure (about 3.5–4 hours). Intercity buses (like Greyhound or FlixBus) also run from Miami. Ferries connect Key West to Fort Myers and Marco Island on Florida’s west coast.
Access summary
- From Key West Int’l Airport (EYW): short taxi or shuttle, about 10–20 minutes.
- From Miami: scenic US‑1 drive or shuttle, usually around 3.5–4 hours.
- From Fort Myers: Key West Express ferry across Gulf of Mexico, about 3.5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Key West
Key West has everything from luxury resorts and historic inns to quirky B&Bs and budget motels. Most accommodations are in Old Town, close to the action. Book early for peak season (winter and festivals). Prices are high year-round and minimum stays are common during busy periods.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Havana Cabana at Key West
Blue Flamingo Resort Key West
The Gates Hotel Key West - Newly Renovated
Parrot Key Hotel & Villas
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
The Perry Hotel - Key West
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Key - Key West
Winslow's Bungalows - Key West Historic Inns
The Gardens Hotel
The Paradise Inn - Adults Only
How to get around Key West
Key West is compact and best explored on foot, by bike or scooter. The Duval Loop is a free shuttle connecting main sights. Electric cars and pedi-cabs are fun options. Parking is limited and expensive – ditch the car if you can. Public buses and taxis are available, but most visitors never need them. Renting a car is only necessary if you plan to explore the other Keys.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Key West are around 17% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Key West is generally safe, with low violent crime. Petty theft can occur in crowded areas — keep valuables secure. The party scene can get rowdy at night, so stay aware. Hurricane season brings weather risks — monitor forecasts.
Health & Medical
Medical care is good, with clinics and a hospital on the island. Sunburn, dehydration and jellyfish stings are the main risks — protect your skin and stay hydrated. Tap water is safe to drink.
Accessibility
Most attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but some historic sites and beaches have steps or uneven ground. The city is flat and easy to navigate, but sidewalks can be narrow or crowded.
Tap water
Tap water is safe, clean and widely available. Public fountains are rare, so refill your bottle at your hotel. Stay hydrated, especially in the heat and sun.
Packing recommendations for Key West
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
summer/autumn
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🩴
Walking sandals
🩴
Flip-flops
👟
Water shoes
for rocky beaches
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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