For decades, Key West has captivated the imagination of writers, artists and everyday explorers. 

This small island sits closer to Cuba than it does the nearest Walmart, and it’s famous for its legendary Key Lime pie, roosters that roam the streets and a colorful culture that delights even the most skeptical travelers. 

The distance from Miami to Key West is 166 mi (around 267 km), and it takes 3.5-4 hours to make the drive. However, driving to Key West from Miami isn’t the only way to visit the Conch Republic.  

In fact, if you’re wondering how to get from Miami to Key West, there are three main ways you can make the journey. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about Miami to Key West transportation so you can start your adventure through the beautiful Florida Keys.

Picture this: Your windows are down, there’s a pleasant breeze blowing, and you’re surrounded by water on either side of you as you rise and fall over a series of gorgeous bridges carrying you across the ocean. 

That’s what’s in store when you drive from Miami to Key West. 

When you leave the Magic City, it takes about an hour to get out of mainland Florida. Once you do, you’re on the Overseas Highway — one of the most beautiful and iconic drives in the country. 

The only route from Miami to Key West is US 1, and this road passes through other famous keys like Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon. Each of those keys are worth visiting in their own right, so if you don’t have time to stop on your drive down, make sure you plan a second trip to the keys.

There are several benefits to driving from Miami to Key West. Here are a few of them: 

• Autonomy. As the driver, you decide when you leave and where you stop on your journey through the keys. You have complete control of your trip and can head out whenever you like.
• Scenic stops. The road from Miami to Key West is full of mom and pop diners, cute cafes and famous spots like the Seven Mile Bridge. On your road trip through the Florida Keys, you can stop at as many of these places as you want. 
• Iconic experience. Taking a road trip is a quintessential part of U.S. travel. Ride along this striking route and enjoy the good weather that comes from South Florida’s endless summer.

If you’re thinking about taking a Miami to Key West road trip, here are some potential drawbacks to consider: 

• Constant focus. The scenery stretching from Miami to Key West is striking — but if you’re driving, you have to pay attention to the road. As a result, you might miss some of the scenery on your drive because you’re focused on arriving safely. 
• Potential delays. Much of the road from Miami to Key West is only one lane. That means if there are any accidents, it absolutely impacts your drive time. While the Miami to Key West drive time is usually between 3-4 hours, it can increase drastically if there’s an accident on the road. 
• Parking costs. A solid Key West vacation will keep you on the island for 2-3 days, minimum. And during that time, you’ll need somewhere to park your car. Street parking is extremely limited, especially in Old Town, and parking in garages or in private lots can be expensive. The last time I drove to Key West, I spent $50 to park near Mallory Square, and I was only there for a few hours. 

It goes without saying: If you’re driving to Key West from Miami, you’ll need a car. If you aren’t vacationing with your own vehicle, you’ll need to rent a car before you can begin your journey. 

There are tons of big-name car rental companies in Miami, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a budget vehicle that can get you safely to Key West and back. If you’re looking to save money on your car rental, avoid picking up your car at the airport, in Brickell or South Beach. 

On the other hand, if you’re wondering how to get from Miami to Key West in style, you can always rent a sports car or convertible and cruise through the keys in a vehicle that’s as luxurious as your surroundings.

I’ve lived in South Florida for nearly a decade, and my favorite way to get from Miami to Key West is by bus. 

It’s one of the cheapest and most reliable options, and you have the chance to sit back and truly enjoy your journey through the keys without being stressed about traffic. 

When you’re on the bus, you’ll follow the same Miami to Key West directions as you would if you were in your own car. Plus, there are several different bus companies that travel daily throughout the keys, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a coach to take you whichever day you want to go.

Here are some of the benefits you’ll get if you take the bus from Key West to Miami. 

• Less stress. When you take the bus from Miami to Key West, you don’t have to worry about the traffic. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. 
• Enjoy the scenery. If you’re driving to Key West from Miami, you’re not always able to take in the scenery because you’re behind the wheel. However, if you’re on the bus, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy your surroundings on the ride.
• Cheapest option. Over the years, I’ve traveled from Miami to Key West several different ways. When you factor in gas and parking, the cheapest method I’ve found has always been traveling by bus. 

If you’re thinking about taking a bus from Miami to Key West, here are some potential drawbacks to consider: 

• Limited flexibility. Buses operate on set timetables. This means you won’t be able to leave when you want or return when you’re ready to go. You’ll have to travel on the bus’ schedule. While this is fine if your travel plans are flexible, it can be challenging to accommodate if you have limited time on your Florida vacation. 
• Longer ride. No bus from Miami to Key West makes the whole journey without stopping. You’ll have to pick up riders along the way, and some even stop for a snack break in Key Largo before you begin your journey to Key West.
• Select pickup points. Each of the bus companies that head to Key West from Miami have set pickup points. These can be convenient if you’re staying in specific neighborhoods, like South Beach or by the airport, but they can be harder to access if you’re at an Airbnb in a more residential part of the city.

If you’re wondering how to get from Miami to Key West without a car, there are three main bus companies that can take you there. Here’s a breakdown of each of the bus companies and what you can expect when you ride with them.

Greyhound offers a no-frills bus service from Miami to Key West. I’ve seen round-trip tickets for as low as $48, but you’ll have to pay extra if you want additional perks, like choosing your own seat. Once you get on the bus at the Miami Intermodal Center, which is near the airport, you’ll make stops along the keys to pick up additional passengers. 

Each day, there are a few different departure times to fit your schedule. That way, you have some flexibility when it comes to planning your trip. 

At the end of your trip, you’ll be dropped at Key West Airport (EYW). Keep in mind that, while on the island, the airport is still a ways from popular attractions. You can hop on the free Duval Loop shuttle to get you to spots like Mallory Square, Duval Street and the Southernmost Point, but it’s an extra step you’ll have to add to your travel plan.

Pickup Points: Miami Intermodal Center (by the airport)

Drop Off: Key West Airport 

Drive Time: approx. 4 hours and 15 minutes

Price: $48 and up

Booking: Greyhound

I’ve taken FlixBus to different cities in Florida, but I’ve never ridden it down to Key West. In terms of itineraries, FlixBus appears to be similar to the Greyhound shuttle to Key West. For example, FlixBus makes stops in various keys along your journey south. 

Tickets typically fall in the $50-$60 range. While these tickets are more expensive than Greyhound, the pickup locations are in more touristy parts of Miami, so they might be easier to access if you’re staying on Miami Beach or in Brickell.

Pickup Points: Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Snapper Creek Service Plaza 

Dropoff: Key West (Downtown), Key West Airport 

Drive Time: between 3.5 hours and 4 hours and 45 minutes

Price: $50 and up

Booking: FlixBus

I haven’t taken Greyhound or FlixBus through the keys, but I love and highly recommend taking the shuttle from Miami to Key West. It’s fast, reliable and the cheapest way I’ve found to make the journey. 

This Miami to Florida Keys shuttle is officially called the Miami to Key West Shuttle. While locals can use it, t’s geared toward tourists, so it picks up passengers near the airport and along Miami Beach. Its price and route are also extremely predictable, making it an easy service to recommend. 

During your drive, you’ll also have a 30-minute breakfast stop in Key Largo. If you’re new to the area, it’s a great place to sample some Latin pastries and grab a cafecito before beginning your journey. 

Pickup Points: Various points along Collins Avenue (North, South and Mid Beach), Lincoln Road and several hotels by the Miami International Airport (MIA)

Dropoff: Key West Old Town 

Drive Time: approximately 3.5 hours 

Price: $39 + tax

Booking: Miami to Key West Shuttle

If you’re short on time and are looking for the most comfortable way to travel to Key West from Miami, consider booking a flight. These routes are short and sweet, and you can travel from the mainland to the Conch Republic in no time.

I’ve never flown from Miami to Key West, but here are some reasons why this option might be best for you. 

• Quick flights. Miami to Key West flights only last an hour. If you’re looking to save time and want to reach your destination as fast as possible, this is the option for you. 
• Comfortable seats. During your hour-long flight, you’ll be in a comfy seat with all the amenities you’d expect on an airplane.
• Hassle-free journey. When you fly to Key West, everything is taken care of for you. You don’t have to worry about the stress of driving — just sit back and enjoy the ride.

While flying to Key West from Miami is super convenient, here are some potential drawbacks you should consider before booking your flight: 

• More expensive. Convenience comes at a price. Expect to pay $150-$250 for your round-trip flight from Miami to Key West. 
• Commuting to/from the airport. If you fly from Miami to Key West, you’ll have to find a way to and from each of the airports. Neither are located in the touristy parts of their cities. The cheapest flights might also be out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL), which means you’d have to pay more to reach the airport if you’re staying in Miami.
• Potential baggage fees. If you plan on spending a few days or a week in Key West, you might need to bring more than a carry-on — which means you’ll have to pay baggage fees for your flight.

American Airlines and Silver Airways each fly to Key West. American Airlines flights depart from Miami International Airport (MIA), whereas Silver Airways flights are out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). 

If you haven’t spent a lot of time in Florida, you might not have heard of Silver Airways before. They’re a local budget carrier based out of Hollywood, FL, and they specialize in flights to various cities in Florida, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Flights with Silver Airways are typically cheaper than American Airlines flights — but they might end up costing about the same if you’re staying in South Beach, Wynwood or Brickell and need to take a rideshare service to FLL. Keep this in mind when you’re planning your trip.

If you’re wondering how to get from Miami to Key West, your best options are to drive yourself, ride the bus or fly there directly. The best option for you depends on your budget, how much time you want to spend traveling there and how much comfort you need for an enjoyable trip.