How to Get to the Florida Keys: Ferry from Fort Myers to Key West

Are you looking for the best way to get to Key West? Look no further than the Key West Express, offering year-round ferry transportation from Fort Myers to Key West. Whether you are a Florida resident looking for an easy way to get to the island or are flying in from out of state, the ferry departing from Fort Myers Beach offers a convenient and fun way to get here. Once you have arrived on the island, check in to your vacation home with Rent Key West Vacations and start exploring the beautiful beaches, historical sites, and lively nightlife we are known for!

Getting to Fort Myers Beach

The first step in taking the ferry is getting to Fort Myers Beach. For visitors traveling from out of state, we recommend flying into Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers and taking an Uber or Lyft the rest of the way. If you are driving from Florida, Fort Myers Beach is easily accessible from many cities by taking Interstate 75. Once you have arrived in Fort Myers Beach, you will find the terminal at 1200 Main Street.

Key West Express

Book your reservation for the Key West Express online and arrive at 7:00 am for the 8:00 am departure. You are allowed two carry-on-size pieces of luggage, but coolers and alcohol are prohibited. Read through the FAQ section of the website to learn more about what to bring and what to expect from your travel experience. Once you have boarded, it will take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours to reach Key West. Enjoy the views and amenities during your travels, such as:

Air-conditioned interiors
Exterior sun decks
Full-service gallery and bar
Flat Screen TVS with satellite television

Arrive in Key West

You will arrive in Key West around noon and have a few hours to kill before checking into your vacation rental at 3 pm. If you are interested in arranging an earlier check-in time, please contact our staff beforehand. Once you have settled in, start exploring everything Key West has to offer. Check out our blogs for inspiration on what to do during your stay:

Spend time soaking up the sun at Key West’s beautiful beaches.
Discover fun water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing.
Explore Old Town Key West and visit some of the island’s top attractions, like the Key West Lighthouse, Duval Street, and Fort Zachary Taylor.
Grab a drink at the iconic and historic bars in town.
Enjoy a slice of key lime pie.
Discover the history and learn about famous residents at the island’s museums.

Visit the Island and Stay in a Key West Vacation Rental

Taking the ferry from Fort Myers to Key West is just one way to get to our island paradise. You can also get here by driving along the Overseas Highway or flying into the Key West International Airport. However you get here, Rent Key West Vacation Rentals has the perfect vacation home waiting for you. From charming one-bedroom cottages to spacious five-bedroom villas, we have accommodations for everyone visiting Key West!

Get Around Key West on a Bike Rental

Getting around Key West is easy. Being just four miles long and one mile wide, there’s no need to rent a car when you are visiting the island. One of the most convenient and affordable ways to travel around town is on a Key West bike rental. At Rent Key West Vacations, we make it easy to reserve everything you need for your vacation, from accommodations to tours and bike rentals. Beat the traffic and explore the beauty of Key West on two wheels!

Key West Bike Rentals

Rent Key West Vacations has partnered with several local companies to make planning your Florida Keys vacation easier than ever. Book your bike online with Key Lime Bike Rentals or call them at 305-340-7834. Key Lime Bike Rentals offers the only hourly bike rental service in Key West. So, whether you want to reserve a bike for a few hours or a week, they have you covered. All of their bikes include essentials like bike locks, lights, baskets, and helmets. Interested in having a local guide take you around town? They also offer bike tours around historic Old Town!

Where to Go on Your Bike Rental

Key West is a bicycle-friendly community, so you can get practically anywhere you want on the island on wheels. Make sure you are familiar with Florida’s bicycle traffic laws and use this Key West bike map to find the best routes on the island:

See all the island has to offer on the 10-mile Key West Cycling Loop, starting on Front Street and ending at Truman Waterfront Park. Along the way, you will see some of the island’s most iconic landmarks, such as Smathers Beach, the Southernmost Point buoy, Hemingway House, and Key West Lighthouse.
Bike through Old Town and explore the island’s most historic buildings and streets, like Duval Street, Mallory Square, Custom House, Truman Little White House, and the Historic Key West Cemetery.
Cycle the trail from Front Street to Fort Zachary Taylor and explore this scenic state park, combining bike trails, historic attractions, and natural beauty.

Reserve the Perfect Key West Vacation Rental

Get your bike rental delivered right to your Key West vacation rental, and start exploring the island from the moment you arrive. At Rent Key West Vacations, we offer a wide range of rentals throughout the island, from our ocean-view homes to our properties in the historic district. Find the rental home that works best for you and enjoy amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, linens, laundry facilities, air conditioning, and WiFi. Many of our properties feature private pools where you can cool down and relax throughout your stay. Book with us online today and customize your vacation by contacting our reservation specialists at 1-800-833-7368.

Key West Day Trip Destinations: Dry Tortugas & Florida Keys Islands

The Overseas Highway travels 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, offering a unique way to travel between the Florida Keys and experience all it has to offer. Plan an epic road trip to Key West from Florida’s mainland, or fly into our local airport and start your exploration from the Southernmost City. Drive to islands along the Florida Keys, like Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. Or head out on the water and take a ferry to the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. No matter where you want to explore, Rent Key West Vacations offers the perfect lodging in Key West!

Dry Tortugas

Located 70 miles west of Key West is Dry Tortugas National Park, a one-of-a-kind destination where you can explore remote islands and discover fascinating history. Get to the park on the Yankee Freedom Ferry and disembark at Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th-century forts. After touring the fort, you will have free time to snorkel coral reefs, swim in the crystal clear water, and watch wildlife.

Day Trip to Florida Keys Islands

Start your journey in Key West and drive along Highway 1 to access several Florida Keys Islands:

The Lower Keys

Traveling east from Key West will take you through the Lower Keys, the most natural and unpopulated area in the Keys. Experience the wilder side of the Keys at national wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and remote beaches. Don’t miss Bahia Honda State Park!

Marathon

Just over an hour from Key West, Marathon is best known for its rich maritime history and family-friendly vibe. Enjoy prime boating access, explore Curry Hammock State Park, and learn about local wildlife at Turtle Beach or the Florida Keys Aquarium.

Islamorada

Islamorada is known as the sport fishing capital of the world, just under two hours from Key West. Experience an epic day of fishing and discover the island’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and nature activities. Some of the most popular attractions in Islamorada include feeding fish at Robbie’s Marina, exploring the quirky art at Rain Barrel Village, and learning history at the Diving Museum.

Key Largo

Key Largo is the furthest island from Key West, approximately two hours and twenty minutes away. This is the longest island in the Keys, known for its fantastic diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Explore the underwater world of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, explore the natural wonders of Everglades National Park, and cruise on the famous African Queen steamboat.

Book Your Vacation Rental on Key West

Whether Key West is at the beginning or end of your Florida Keys exploration, Rent Key West Vacations offers the ideal place to stay. We are one of the longest-standing vacation rental companies on the island, representing more than 100 properties. Book one of our rentals near Key West’s most famous beaches, or stay in Old Town and immerse yourself in the island’s historic charm. Book with us online or contact our local reservationist at 1-800-833-7368 to start customizing your Florida Keys vacation!

What to Do in Key West in December

Plan your December trip to Key West and celebrate the holiday’s island style with Rent Key West Vacations. Find the perfect accommodations for your winter escape, and join us this December for holiday events, beautiful weather, and outdoor adventures. Enjoy beautiful 75-degree weather as you embark on holiday tours, shop for gifts, stroll through twinkling lights, and watch lighted boat parades. Experience the magic of Key West in December, and read on to discover the top things to do during your stay!

Key West Weather in December

Winter weather on Key West is beautiful, with average temperatures hovering around 75 degrees. Water temperatures also remain comfortable for swimming and recreational activities. This means you can enjoy all your favorite activities year-round, like boat tours, snorkeling, jet skiing, fishing, boating, and sailing.

Festive Happenings on Key West

Plan your vacation around one of our annual events and make the most of your December getaway in Key West. Find more details on these annual events on the Key West Christmas website:

Kick off the holiday season during the Key West Holiday Parade and watch decorated floats drive down Duval Street.
Visit the Key West Historic Seaport and stroll through the magical Harbor Walk of Lights from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Watch dozens of decorated boats cruising along the waterfront during the Lighted Boat Parade.
Head to Truman Waterfront Park and enjoy fun for the whole family during the Waterfront Winter Wonderland celebration. From ice skating to Santa visits and riding the Christmas train, there is something for everyone.

Key West Holiday Tours

Explore Key West’s historic properties decorated for the season during the Holiday Historic Inn Tour.
Join Old Town Trolleys or Conch Tour Train for their Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tours, taking you on a guided tour of the island’s best-decorated homes.
Sign up for the Ultimate Key West Christmas Tour with Fury Cat and play at Key West’s ocean water park for an afternoon.

Plan a Key West December Vacation

Discover the magic of Key West this December and book your getaway with Rent Key West Vacations. Spend the holidays at the beach and soak up the warm Florida sunshine while enjoying the island’s festive atmosphere. Whether you are visiting with your spouse or extended family, we offer the perfect lodging for your holiday escape. From oceanfront studio suites to Grand Estates hosting up to 30 guests, we have something for everyone!

Uncover the Island’s Haunted History on a Key West Ghost Tour

Beyond Key West’s breathtaking white sand beaches lies a world unknown to most- one of eerie tales and ghostly encounters. Embark on a Key West ghost tour and explore one of the country’s most haunted cities this Halloween season. From the terrifying legends of Robert the Doll at Fort East Martello to the Lady in Blue that still roams the halls of Captain Tony’s Saloon, endless ghost stories are waiting to be uncovered. Stay with Rent Key West Vacations and visit the island’s most haunted bars, restaurants, hotels, and cemeteries on one of these ghost tours:

Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

Sign up for a Ghosts & Gravestones Tour and explore the island’s haunted history with a Ghost Host. These eccentric hosts guide you through the evening on the Trolley of the Doomed, taking you through the historic Old Town to hear tales of murder, disease, and misfortune. Along the way, you will hear the story of Robert the Doll and pass haunted sites like Captain Tony’s Saloon. Then, you will disembark at the Key West Shipwreck Museum and learn about the cursed silver bar from a shipwreck!

Ghost Key West

Get up close and personal with the island’s most famous haunted resident, Robert the Doll, at Fort East Martello. Join Ghost Key West on the Fort East Martello Ghost Tour and learn about the haunted artifacts of the fort before sitting down for a lockdown with Robert the Doll. Want to do some ghost hunting during your visit? Sign up for the VIP ticket and gain access to ghost-hunting equipment and an additional hour at the fort. Explore the fort with your flashlight and try to capture evidence of the supernatural!

Key West Ghost Hunt

Key West Ghost Hunt is the island’s longest-running ghost tour, providing exclusive access to areas not visited by any other tour. Join local experts on a ghost tour around town with equipment like dowsing rods, K-II meters, spirit boards, and spirit boxes.

Key West Ghost & Mysteries Tour

Explore the haunted history of Old Town on foot with the Key West Ghost & Mysteries Tour. Get off the beaten path and walk past mansions, graveyards, and pubs while hearing first-hand ghost stories from your tour guide.

Reserve Your Key West Vacation Rental

Get off the beaten path and discover the city’s haunted history on a Key West ghost tour. Book one of our homes in the historic district and immerse yourself in the charm of Old Town. Every home has its own distinct architecture and history, from the grand Victorian mansions to the cozy conch cottages. Book with us today and experience the paranormal in the Florida Keys!