Paradise has never been easier to reach. Visitors to the Upper Keys can fly into Miami International Airport or Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. From there, they can hop on a shuttle bus or rent a car and arrive in the Upper Keys in about an hour from Miami or an hour and 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale.

In addition, visitors can now fly from Ft. Lauderdale to Marathon, in the heart of the Keys aboard Florida Coastal Airlines, which offers regular daily service. Visitors can also fly to Key West via connections or direct flights from a host of Florida cities. General aviation enthusiasts and corporate jet operators will find plenty of services at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International Airport. If you choose to drive to Key West from the mainland, or take a shuttle bus, the trip will take about 3.5 hours.

By Air
   
Airport Codes:
EYW     Key West
FLL       Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International
MTH     Marathon
MIA      Miami International

Airline News:

* NEW JET SERVICE CUTS TRAVEL TIME
* REGULARLY SCHEDULED FLIGHTS ADDED FOR MARATHON

Direct flights or connections to the Florida Keys are now available from Atlanta, Nassau, Bahamas, and a host of Florida cities. Please check with the airlines for details on specific flights and route information.
   

Airport Transportation
Once you arrive at Key West International Airport, there are several means of available transportation and because Key West is a small island, it won't cost you much to be taken anywhere.

By Land

Directions for a Scenic Drive:

From Miami International Airport, take LeJeune Road south to 836 West. Take the Florida Turnpike south toward Key West. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City. Follow U.S. 1 south about 22 miles to Key Largo and you are now in the Florida Keys.

From Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, exit the airport and follow the signs for 595 West. Take 595 to the Florida Turnpike and follow the signs for the Florida Keys.

From the north, take the Florida Turnpike south to just below Ft. Lauderdale, where Exit 4 takes onto the southern portion of the Turnpike. The Turnpike ends at US 1 in Florida City. Follow U.S. 1 south into the Florida Keys.

From Florida’s west coast, take 1-75 Alligator Alley east to the Miami exit, and south to the Turnpike Extension.

A Note on Mile Markers. Once you’re in the Keys, U.S. 1 becomes the Overseas Highway, which is our Main Street. The best way to get around is to know the mile marker of your destination. Look for the little green mile-marker signs on the side of the highway. They begin just south of Florida City with number 127 and run all the way down to zero in Key West. Think of them like addresses. If you know the mile marker, getting there is easy. Here's a quick guide:

   Shuttle Services:

Greyhound Lines
Makes numerous scheduled stops between Miami International Airport and the Keys, including Key Largo. 1-800-231-2222 or 305-296-9072

Keys Shuttle
Door-to-door service from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami International Airports to Key Largo and other points in the Keys. Call 24-hours ahead. 1-888-765-9997 or 305-289-9997

Train Services:
Amtrak takes you as far south as Miami, where you can transfer to the Keys Shuttle bus discussed above. Amtrak: 1-800-USARAIL.

By Sea

Key West Shuttle
This high-speed ferry service shuttles passengers between Florida’s west coast and Key West in just three and a half hours. Service is available to and from Naples and Fort Myers. 1-888-KEYBOAT. www.keywestshuttle.com

X-Press to Key West
This high-speed ferry service carries passengers between Florida’s west coast and Key West in four hours. Service is available to and from Fort Myers Beach. 1-800-273-4496. www.keywestferry.com.

Private Boaters
Experienced boaters can navigate to Key West along the Atlantic side of the Keys or by traveling on the Gulf of Mexico side. The first part of the trip takes you through the specially-marked Intracoastal Waterway. After Long Key, however, international markers apply. Consult the appropriate Coast Pilot and Light List manuals. Numerous marinas are waiting to entertain you, but you should make reservations ahead.

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