Key West quandry: Trolley tour vs. Conch Train tour

[Cruella 66]

What is the difference between the trolley tour and the conch train tour? Positives and detractions? Would you do it again? I have one shot and want to make it a good one. Thanks! Cindy

 

[com_op_2000]

What is the difference between the trolley tour and the conch train tour? Positives and detractions? Would you do it again? I have one shot and want to make it a good one. Thanks! Cindy

If you purchase the Trolley Tour through DCL you get one circuit/tour of the island. If you purchase it on your own, either online or at the pier, you can get off/on as often as you like. There are 18 stops around the island and the trolley's run about 20 minutes apart.
I have no information on the Conch Train Tour, but I am sure some else on the DIS does.

 

[cmclaura]

I used to work for a company that flew DC3s into Key West from Orlando. After a lot of research and deliberation, we chose to go with Old Town Trolley rather than the Conch Train as our preferred vendor. I don't remember all the reasons why but I've taken the Old Town tours and watched the Conch Train tours and I believe we made the right decision.

 

[llkoolj40]

W liked the Trolley as it sits higher and had more stops.At the time the driver did the tour as opposed to a recording on the train tour,but I believe the train has a person narrate the tour now. It may be easier for some to get on aoff as well.

 

[Onkel Hans]

If you purchase the Trolley Tour through DCL you get one circuit/tour of the island. If you purchase it on your own, either online or at the pier, you can get off/on as often as you like. There are 18 stops around the island and the trolley's run about 20 minutes apart.
I have no information on the Conch Train Tour, but I am sure some else on the DIS does.

We used the Trolley because, as you said, with DCL it isn't Hop-On-Hop-Off. In addition you can get a discount by ordering the tickets beforehand online.

Our experience, however, was that we wasted a lot of time waiting for the trolley. The amount of KW lore that the drivers share was well worth the tour, but I think if I had it to do over I would have just taken the tour all at once.

The Magic had to dock at the mole pier, so we also had to take the trolley/train from there to the depot, duplicating part of the tour route, so our experience may not be typical.

 

[101DalmFan]

When we were in Key West, we did the trolley tour that had no stops. We loved it! When we got back to the beginning, we then set off on foot to have lunch and then see the particular sites we wanted to see (in particular, Hemingway House). I would do it again that way

 

[Bamfield]

We also took the Trolley Tour and loved it! We didn't do the DCL tour because we wanted to get off at a couple of points to take pictures. They have a good website with a map of the stops so you can plan if want to get off, stroll around and then return to the stop to be picked up.

Typically, its 20 minutes between Trolleys if you get off. The other possible issue if you get off at a busy stop like the Southern Most Point of the US, is that it may be full and you have to wait for another trolley.

It was a short walk to Mallory Square to get the trolley the tour allowed us to see most of the island while helping us to determine some other sights to investigate.

 

[sara mom]

We were in Key West last Sunday and used City View. Our reasons-
1. It was a hop on/hop off. You can do the loop once, then after decide where you want to get off (lighthouse or southern most point). We only got off once at the southern point and had no problem finding room on the next trolley. People were getting off at most stops.
2. Price- $17 per adult ahead of time, kids free. Pre-purchase price. If you don't do the trolley, they refund the money. We actually bought the tickets on my iPhone while in our cabin before we got off the ship.
3. City view- padded seats!

Just my 2 cents.

 

[itsbaker]

We were in Key West last weekend and took the Conch Train tour. I think it was a mistake. There are only 3 stops, but the first stop comes after doing a full circuit of the island, so you have to stay on to circle back and stop at the places you already passed.

The tour narration was live and was pretty good, but my family got bored and we got off at the first stop which was closer to the ship than where we started. I wouldn't do it again or recommend it to others.

 

[tammyg1515]

We were in Key West last month for 5 days and we had limited time for a tour. We choose the Conch Train and loved it. Our guide was Bob, as in SpongeBob and I would highly recommend him. I learned so much about the island and I would even do the tour again.

 

[Cruella 66]

Thank you everyone! Sounds like we may do the trolley. We'll be there the week between Christmas and New Year on the Magic. I am thinking it'll be busy in KW?!