Anyone Ever Plan a Trip to Key West On a Budget?

[mmbrad02]

My MIL and her husband have booked a very nice house in Key West for the month of March. They have offered us to come and stay with them, and my DD has a Friday off in March so we considered her missing one additional day of school and making a long weekend trip down. We are in Kentucky, so given the very short amount of time, flying will be a must. Our lodging is free, so we would be out transportation and meals (I assume they will probably provide some things, especially breakfast and lunch, but I'm thinking "worse case scenario" when trying to see how much this trip will cost).

I have always wanted to see Key West so this seems like an awesome opportunity! But yesterday I started roughing out airline costs and WHOA! The cheapest into Key West itself was $1800 for the 3 of us. My MIL suggested Fort Lauderdale and driving 3 hours in, which seemed like it might be an interesting drive, but it was $1200 plus a car rental/fuel. $1200 was guestimating Southwest (our dates have currently not opened up) so baggage is not an issue. I put in Allegient but there is only one flight option on the dates we need and the times are terrible (like our return flight from Fort Lauderdale is 6am which basically means we would need to leave Key West the tnight before and it's already a really short trip). and Allegient with us having a combined one carry one and one checked bag was $1100.

I've rambled a lot now, just wondered if anyone has traveled to this area and what you have found for prices or what airport you travel into, etc.

 

[slpeters]

We went this last Spring and had a great time. We paid for the flight with Chase points but I'm pretty sure the actual price from Chicago to Key West direct was six something for the two us.

 

[kymom99]

Delta flies direct from CVG to FLL. Not sure where in Ky you are. We stopped in Key west on a cruise. Our flights were more like $300. You might like having your own car.

In Key West we found lots of neat little restaurants and the prices weren't crazy high. That was at lunchtime. We ate at Carolines on the recommendation of a friend. I actually split a Cuban with my friend. I loved KW, and would gladly go back given the opportunity.

 

[mmbrad02]

Delta flies direct from CVG to FLL. Not sure where in Ky you are. We stopped in Key west on a cruise. Our flights were more like $300. You might like having your own car.

Good to know! We are in Central KY and typically fly Southwest out of Louisville but Cincy is definitely doable. I'll check around there.

 

[mmbrad02]

We went this last Spring and had a great time. We paid for the flight with Chase points but I'm pretty sure the actual price from Chicago to Key West direct was six something for the two us.

Did you fly into Key West International (EYW)?

 

[slpeters]

Did you fly into Key West International (EYW)?

We did. I had to look it up again because it's hard to believe that that is an international airport. It's a great vacation spot--very laidback but a lot of great food and activities.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

Do the drive!! And go Card Sound Road instead of US 1. Stop at Alabama Jacks and get some conch fritters.

Don't be in a hurry and take in the sights. By the time you reach west, you will be in the correct state of mind.

I live in Ft Lauderdale and used to drive down there for Fantasy Fest in my early 20's and sleep in my car (if I didn't meet cool people who would let me crash at their hotel.)
Then, wander around in the morning to various hotels looking for one with an outside shower by their pool.

That was a long time ago though.

 

[AntimonyER]

Do the drive!! And go Card Sound Road instead of US 1. Stop at Alabama Jacks and get some conch fritters.

Don't be in a hurry and take in the sights. By the time you reach west, you will be in the correct state of mind.

I live in Ft Lauderdale and used to drive down there for Fantasy Fest in my early 20's and sleep in my car (if I didn't meet cool people who would let me crash at their hotel.)
Then, wander around in the morning to various hotels looking for one with an outside shower by their pool.

That was a long time ago though.

We drive from SE GA, 10.5-11 hours to key west for us, I imagine it would be another 6+ for OP, 36 hour driving both ways for a 4 day trip?? Ouch.

OP- There is some relatively cheap things to do in Key West, the sunset celebration, southernmost point, hemingway house, butterfly conservatory, maritime museum are all interesting and cheap or free. I know the flights might be high, but food is relatively cheap and GOOD. Lodging is one of the more expensive aspects of the keys. (My parents own a condo in Marathon, so

If you can get a flight into Fort Lauderdale or Miami, the drive into key west is BEAUTIFUL, and is an activity all itself, so don't shy away if you can't get something direct into Key West. Lots of good restaurants and fun shops on the way down too.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

We drive from SE GA, 10.5-11 hours to key west for us, I imagine it would be another 6+ for OP, 36 hour driving both ways for a 4 day trip?? Ouch.

Um, no. I was referring to their idea of flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving from there.

 

[AntimonyER]

Um, no. I was referring to their idea of flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving from there.

Oops, gotcha. My bad.

 

[Deb & Bill]

From late December to early April is considered In Season for South Florida. Everything is more expensive during the season.

 

[Lvsdisney]

there is a ferry from fort Meyers area to key west. Look into that. KW itself is very small and walk-able, so a car isn't really needed once your on the island. You could always rent bikes or take public transportation.

ETA: Last april (2017) we drove from FLL to Key Largo, and THAT took 3 hours (thanks to the spring break traffic). So I would guesstimate FLL to KW easily 5-6 hours, if less than consider yourself lucky.

 

[monorailsilver]

My MIL and her husband have booked a very nice house in Key West for the month of March. They have offered us to come and stay with them, and my DD has a Friday off in March so we considered her missing one additional day of school and making a long weekend trip down. We are in Kentucky, so given the very short amount of time, flying will be a must. Our lodging is free, so we would be out transportation and meals (I assume they will probably provide some things, especially breakfast and lunch, but I'm thinking "worse case scenario" when trying to see how much this trip will cost).

I have always wanted to see Key West so this seems like an awesome opportunity! But yesterday I started roughing out airline costs and WHOA! The cheapest into Key West itself was $1800 for the 3 of us. My MIL suggested Fort Lauderdale and driving 3 hours in, which seemed like it might be an interesting drive, but it was $1200 plus a car rental/fuel. $1200 was guestimating Southwest (our dates have currently not opened up) so baggage is not an issue. I put in Allegient but there is only one flight option on the dates we need and the times are terrible (like our return flight from Fort Lauderdale is 6am which basically means we would need to leave Key West the tnight before and it's already a really short trip). and Allegient with us having a combined one carry one and one checked bag was $1100.

I've rambled a lot now, just wondered if anyone has traveled to this area and what you have found for prices or what airport you travel into, etc.

We are headed to FL in April (again) and our vacation ends on Easter. Flights this year (and we have flown Easter before) were at least $100 more into Ft. Myers. So we looked at other airports and I was seriously considering the 24 hour drive from CT. Tampa is about a 2 hr drive and it was the cheapest but it arrived at 5pm on a Friday...no thank you! So I looked at the East Coast and FLL was a teeny bit more then Tampa. It is also a 2 hr drive but it will be less traffic-plus we are staying in Singer Island for a few days first.

But back to you! Yes I would look at FLL, but just make sure the times are not rush hour times either way, otherwise plan for it. Also look at other airports in your area. We fly out of Hartford but I look at Providence, White Plains and I will even look at NYC airports and Boston but know I won't go from those just because it is farther, well if they had a $200 RT I would!

And the drive to Key West is just the best drive I have ever taken. Seriously it is wonderful and the time just passes by before you know it.

We drove from Ft. Myers to Marathon and the next day took a day trip to Key West, for all of 30 min, took a picture, saw the beach and left to the Seven Mile Bridge.

So back to the drive, just glorious. All the bridges and you just look out at the wonderful water, it really is spectacular if you are into that thing. The worse part of the drive is when you are leaving Homestead and headed towards the Keys on 1 and you can see it and you are almost there.

As far as money for food, plan going to the store and buying your own breakfast and lunch stuff this way in case they don't provide. Dinner can cost you if you go out or it can be done economically. We enjoyed Key's Fisheries in Marathon but it was $$$ and Key's Bite in Key Largo-seriously my 17 yo still talks about the pancakes!

Car rental, just get the smallest car you can fit in. You don't need something huge unless you plan on driving around with the ILs in your car, if so then get a roomy 5 seater and your dd can be in the middle in the back between 2 adults. Look for coupons, go on the transportation board. I know there a car rental thing up for April 2018 but just look there.

I am secretly hoping, but my wallet isn't, that the red tide is still bad on the West coast (seriously I do want it gone) so that we can go to the Key's again. We went the last 2 Aprils for a few days. But in reality I will miss the beaches on the West Coast and I will miss picking sharks teeth.

 

[kymom99]

I am not the least bit rental car savvy. I have rented 3 in my life. Seriously. However I have realized renting from an airport location often requires hefty fees. Renting from a "neighborhood location" may not. So since you only have 3 in your group, consider a rental site away from the airport to save money. You can take an uber to pick it up. Just be aware some are not open on Sundays or late at night. Just a thought.

I recently priced out a rental car to drive to myrtle beach and found the locations near my home to be much less than the ones from the airport. I have had luck finding decent prices from Budget.

When choosing your type of car, think about your luggage. We had a Mitsubishi Galant in San Diego and my son had the company of some of our luggage in the back seat. The trunk was small.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Try Costco for rentals, typically very good prices. On season prices are High for sure.
Fll and rsw are probably best bet for flights.
Budgeting for High season key west is kind of like budgeting for Disney at Christmas... doable with a lot of prep and early planning.
Hope it works out for you all, safe travels!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are headed to FL in April (again) and our vacation ends on Easter. Flights this year (and we have flown Easter before) were at least $100 more into Ft. Myers. So we looked at other airports and I was seriously considering the 24 hour drive from CT. Tampa is about a 2 hr drive and it was the cheapest but it arrived at 5pm on a Friday...no thank you! So I looked at the East Coast and FLL was a teeny bit more then Tampa. It is also a 2 hr drive but it will be less traffic-plus we are staying in Singer Island for a few days first.

But back to you! Yes I would look at FLL, but just make sure the times are not rush hour times either way, otherwise plan for it. Also look at other airports in your area. We fly out of Hartford but I look at Providence, White Plains and I will even look at NYC airports and Boston but know I won't go from those just because it is farther, well if they had a $200 RT I would!

And the drive to Key West is just the best drive I have ever taken. Seriously it is wonderful and the time just passes by before you know it.

We drove from Ft. Myers to Marathon and the next day took a day trip to Key West, for all of 30 min, took a picture, saw the beach and left to the Seven Mile Bridge.

So back to the drive, just glorious. All the bridges and you just look out at the wonderful water, it really is spectacular if you are into that thing. The worse part of the drive is when you are leaving Homestead and headed towards the Keys on 1 and you can see it and you are almost there.

As far as money for food, plan going to the store and buying your own breakfast and lunch stuff this way in case they don't provide. Dinner can cost you if you go out or it can be done economically. We enjoyed Key's Fisheries in Marathon but it was $$$ and Key's Bite in Key Largo-seriously my 17 yo still talks about the pancakes!

Car rental, just get the smallest car you can fit in. You don't need something huge unless you plan on driving around with the ILs in your car, if so then get a roomy 5 seater and your dd can be in the middle in the back between 2 adults. Look for coupons, go on the transportation board. I know there a car rental thing up for April 2018 but just look there.

I am secretly hoping, but my wallet isn't, that the red tide is still bad on the West coast (seriously I do want it gone) so that we can go to the Key's again. We went the last 2 Aprils for a few days. But in reality I will miss the beaches on the West Coast and I will miss picking sharks teeth.

Red tide is terrible this year. And the green algae isn't helping either. The Red Tide goes far out into the Gulf and isn't just at the shore. You can check visitbeaches.org to find the status of Red Tide.

 

[monorailsilver]

Red tide is terrible this year. And the green algae isn't helping either. The Red Tide goes far out into the Gulf and isn't just at the shore. You can check visitbeaches.org to find the status of Red Tide.

I know. It is so sad!

We saw it for the first time in April. It was our 6th April trip and the only one went Ft Myers south to Bonita once because of the red tide. Thankfully it had not hit Captiva/Sanibel or englewood/Manasota Key Beach when we were there.

 

[neatokimmo]

Use skyscanner.com to see air deals.

 

[LovesTimone]

I would fly into Miami, then make the drive down to Key West. Keep checking the airlines, daily for a better rate.

 

[kweeyore]

We live in Key West - and almost always fly out of Key West airport, especially for a short weekend trip. The cost savings almost never is enough for us to justify the amout of drive time. The drive is very pretty, but you are looking at at least 4 hours from Fort Lauderdale. You would need to decide if the price difference in flights is worth 8+ hours of your limited vacation time. Also, remember - its one road in and one road out, so traffice can move slowly and back ups can occure. Keep this in mind if you do decide to book a flight into/out of Fort Lauderdale to allow extra travel time so you don't miss your flight. Depending on where the rental house is, you may not need a car. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!