Florida, US, United States · Trip plan
4 days in Key West & the Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway, Hemingway's house and sunset on Mallory Square.
- Best time
- Dec – Apr
- Ideal length
- 4 days
- A day, mid-range
- $350 per person
- Trip for two
- about $2,800
Planning a 4-day trip to Key West & the Florida Keys? Here's a day-by-day Key West & the Florida Keys itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
December to April is dry and warm (24–27°C) in the Keys, the classic winter escape for the US and Canada.
The Florida Keys are a chain of coral islands curving into the Gulf, ending at Key West, a laid-back town of conch houses, bars and sunsets at the southernmost point of the continental US.
- Jan: a good time to go
- Feb: a good time to go
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr: a good time to go
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec: a good time to go
December to April: 22–28°C, sunny and dry.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Key West & the Florida Keys
- 01
Overseas Highway
A 113-mile road hopping across 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge.
- 02
Mallory Square
Nightly sunset celebration with street performers.
- 03
Hemingway Home
The writer's house, with his six-toed cats' descendants.
- 04
Dry Tortugas
A remote island fort reached by ferry or seaplane.
Day by day
Key West & the Florida Keys itinerary for 4 days
- D1
Day 1: The Overseas Highway
- Morning
- Leave Miami early and drive south to Key Largo; snorkel the reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
- Afternoon
- Continue down the Keys, stopping at Islamorada and driving over the Seven Mile Bridge.
- Evening
- Arrive in Key West for sunset at Mallory Square, with jugglers and fire-eaters.
Fill up the tank before the lower Keys; prices rise further south.
- D2
Day 2: Old Town Key West
- Morning
- Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and its six-toed cats, then the lighthouse across the street.
- Afternoon
- Photo at the Southernmost Point buoy and lunch of conch fritters.
- Evening
- Duval Street bars and live music.
The buoy queue is shortest early morning.
- D3
Day 3: Dry Tortugas
- Morning
- Take the Yankee Freedom ferry (about 2.5 hours) to Dry Tortugas National Park.
- Afternoon
- Explore Fort Jefferson and snorkel around its moat walls.
- Evening
- Back to Key West for key lime pie.
Ferry tickets include breakfast, lunch and snorkel gear.
- D4
Day 4: Home
- Morning
- Bike around the Old Town's gingerbread houses.
- Afternoon
- Lunch and a last swim at Fort Zachary Taylor beach.
- Evening
- Fly home or drive back to Miami.
Leave plenty of time; there's only one road out.
Shorter or longer
Key West & the Florida Keys in 3, 4 or 6 days
3 days in Key West & the Florida Keys
Follow days 1 to 3 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
6 days in Key West & the Florida Keys
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Miami.
What it costs
Key West & the Florida Keys trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 4 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $170 | $1,360 |
| Mid-range | $350 | $2,800 |
| Luxury | $800+ | $6,400 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Key West & the Florida Keys is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Key West & the Florida Keys for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Key West & the Florida Keys
Key lime pie
Tart and creamy, the official state pie.
Conch fritters
Fried chunks of local shellfish.
Stone crab claws
In season from October to May.
Getting there
How to reach Key West & the Florida Keys
- Travel
- Fly into Key West, or drive from Miami (about 3.5–4 hours on the Overseas Highway).
- Getting around
- Drive the highway; bike or walk in Key West.
- Book Dry Tortugas ferry tickets weeks ahead.
- Rent a bike in Key West; parking is scarce.
Before you go
What to pack for Key West & the Florida Keys
- Power bank and charging cables
- Passport and visa printouts
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Swimwear and flip-flops
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
- A forex card or some local cash
- Travel insurance
Good questions
Key West & the Florida Keys trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Key West & the Florida Keys?
4 days are enough to see the highlights: Overseas Highway, Mallory Square, Hemingway Home. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 4-day Key West & the Florida Keys trip cost?
Roughly $170 a day per person on a budget, $350 mid-range and $800+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $2,800 for 4 days.
What is the best time to visit Key West & the Florida Keys?
Dec – Apr. December to April is dry and warm (24–27°C) in the Keys, the classic winter escape for the US and Canada.
Where should I stay in Key West & the Florida Keys?
Budget: Motels in Key Largo and Marathon (Middle Keys), from about $180 a night. Mid-range: Guesthouses in Old Town (Key West), from about $350 a night. Luxury: Casa Marina Key West (Key West), from about $700 a night.
How do I reach Key West & the Florida Keys?
Fly into Key West, or drive from Miami (about 3.5–4 hours on the Overseas Highway).
Is 3 days enough for Key West & the Florida Keys?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 3 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 4 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Key West & the Florida Keys?
December to April: 22–28°C, sunny and dry.
What food should I try in Key West & the Florida Keys?
Key lime pie: Tart and creamy, the official state pie. Conch fritters: Fried chunks of local shellfish. Stone crab claws: In season from October to May.
How do I get around Key West & the Florida Keys?
Drive the highway; bike or walk in Key West.
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