Getting to Key West in December

There are three ways of getting to Key West in December: fly into Key West International Airport (EYW), take the Key West Express ferry from Fort Myers Beach, or drive the Overseas Highway. Once you are on the island, City buses and the on-demand Key West Rides service cover Key West and Stock Island. Below is what each operator publishes, with no drive times or schedules we could not source. Christmas in Key West is an independent planner published by LPE Realty LLC. We are not the City of Key West, Schooner Wharf, the Historic Seaport or any other organiser, and when their published details differ from this page, theirs are the ones to follow.

By air: Key West International Airport (EYW)

• Monroe County: "Monroe County owns and operates two airports: Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon International." "Both airports are self-supporting Enterprise Funds". Monroe County, FL: Airports
• Key West International Airport's site gives its address as "3491 South Roosevelt Boulevard". Key West International Airport (EYW)

Monroe County says it owns and operates two airports, Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon International, and that both are self-supporting Enterprise Funds. The airport’s own site gives its address as 3491 South Roosevelt Boulevard. That road runs along the newer east side of the island, away from Old Town and the Historic Seaport where the holiday events are. We have not listed airlines or nonstop cities, because we did not find a current list on the County page; check the airport’s site for flights.

From the airport, Key West Rides covers one zone across Key West and Stock Island from 6 AM to 8 PM. For a car, the City’s Old Town garage is open 24 hours except during evacuations, and the City says overnight parking is allowed there. Rates and lots are on the parking page.

By sea: the Key West Express ferry

• Key West Express: "We offer departures from the Southwest Florida location of Fort Myers Beach to the Southernmost Point of the United States, Key West." Ft. Myers Beach to Key West "(8:00AM departure)"; Key West to Ft. Myers Beach "(6:00PM departure)". "Schedules and times are subject to change." "plan on approximately 3.5 hours between ports." Terminals: "100 Grinnell Street", Key West, and "1200 Main Street", Ft. Myers Beach; phone "239-463-5733". Key West Express ferry

Key West Express sails from Fort Myers Beach, with an 8:00 AM departure, and leaves Key West at 6:00 PM for the return. It says to plan on approximately 3.5 hours between ports and that schedules and times are subject to change. Its terminals are at 1200 Main Street in Fort Myers Beach and 100 Grinnell Street in Key West, and its phone is 239-463-5733. Older guides list other departure ports; the operator’s own page lists Fort Myers Beach.

Where the ferry lands, and why it matters in December

• keywestchristmas.org: "The "Harbor Walk of Lights" stretches along the seawall past Greene St, William St, and Margaret St. to the K.W. Ferry Terminal." The Holiday Fest calendar describes it as running "from Lazy Way Lane at the Green Street Plaza to the Ferry Terminal at Grinnell Street." Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights); Key West Inns (Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West): Holiday Fest Calendar

keywestchristmas.org says the Harbor Walk of Lights stretches along the seawall to the K.W. Ferry Terminal, and the Holiday Fest calendar describes it running to the Ferry Terminal at Grinnell Street. So the ferry lands at one end of the lights. The 6:00 PM return, though, leaves before the 8 PM boat parade, the evening lights tours and the other night events, so seeing any of them means staying overnight. The City’s small Ferry Terminal lot at 100 Grinnell Street is listed in its lots directory at “$6 per hour, 10-hour maximum”.

By road: the Overseas Highway

• The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council: "the scenic 113-mile Overseas Highway combines ocean views, 42 bridges, natural wonders and history". (fla-keys.com now redirects to visitfloridakeys.com.) Florida Keys & Key West (Monroe County Tourist Development Council): Overseas Highway
• The City of Key West facilities directory lists "Mile Marker 0" at "490 Whitehead Street". City of Key West: Facilities, Mile Marker 0

The Florida Keys and Key West tourism council describes “the scenic 113-mile Overseas Highway” with “42 bridges”. We do not give a drive time: none of the primary sources we read publishes one, and the City itself notes heavy seasonal traffic. At the Key West end, the City lists Mile Marker 0 at 490 Whitehead Street, and its sightseeing directory says “a green and white sign marks the beginning and/or end of U.S. Route 1” at Whitehead and Fleming Streets.

Arriving with a large vehicle

The City’s parking FAQ says boats, boat trailers, RVs and vehicles over 20 feet cannot legally park on City streets or in City lots. The Old Town garage has a 7 feet 2 inches height limit and lists “No RVs, Vessels, Trailers.” Sort out where a large vehicle will stay before you set off.

Getting around once you arrive

• City of Key West: "The City of Key West Department of Transportation provides public transit services throughout Key West, Stock Island, and up to Marathon, Florida." Information line "305-600-1455"; "Buses may be delayed at times due to heavy seasonal traffic." City of Key West: Transportation (KWDoT)
• City of Key West: "Key West Rides On-Demand is an innovative form of transportation that will replace the North and South Lines". "This is a bus stop-to-bus stop service". Hours "Monday" to "Sunday 6 AM" to "8 PM", "(No service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day)." Booking help: "305-809-3910". City of Key West: Key West Rides On-Demand Bus Service
• City of Key West Bus Fares: "Effective July 7, 2025", City "One Way" $2 full fare, "One Day Pass" $4, "7-Day Pass" $8; Keys (Lower Keys) one way $4. "One Day Super Pass Valid on City and Lower Keys Routes $ 12". Payment by "cash and credit card via Token Transit" (Key West Rides page). City of Key West: Bus Fares

The City’s Department of Transportation runs public transit across Key West, Stock Island and up to Marathon; its information line is 305-600-1455. City fares are $2 one way, $4 for a One Day Pass and $8 for a 7-Day Pass. A one-way ride on the Lower Keys route is $4, and a One Day Super Pass valid on City and Lower Keys routes is $12. You pay with cash or by card through Token Transit.

Key West Rides On-Demand replaced the City’s North and South Lines. It is a bus stop to bus stop service, booked in its app or by phone, running Monday to Sunday from 6 AM to 8 PM. The City says every bus carries a front bike rack, according to its Bikes on Buses page.

• The City's Bus Fares page still lists "Duval Loop – $1". The Key West Citizen reported on Dec. 31, 2025 that "the Duval Loop bus route will be suspended beginning Jan. 2, with service replaced by the Key West Rides on-demand transit program" and that "Fares were free until July of this year when they were increased to $1 per ride" (secondary source, news). Do not call the Duval Loop free or running. Key West Citizen (news, secondary); City of Key West: Bus Fares

You may see the Duval Loop mentioned in older guides. The City’s fares page still lists it at $1, but the Key West Citizen reported on Dec. 31, 2025 that it would be suspended from Jan. 2 and replaced by Key West Rides. We do not treat it as running.

Holidays with no service

Key West Rides has no service on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26, 2026), Christmas Day (Dec. 25) or New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2027), and the City’s transit page says buses run seven days a week except those three days. If your flight or ferry falls on one of them, plan the transfer another way. Other holiday closures are on the dates page.

Choosing how to come

Each option suits a different trip. The ferry has fixed published departures and lands beside the Harbor Walk, but its return leaves before the evening events. Flying lands you on the east side of the island, a bus or ride away from Old Town. Driving gives you a car on an island where the City charges for parking near the events. For what to pack, see December weather; to fit everything into your nights, use the trip planner.

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Key West: Visitors