You’re planning a trip to the end of the world—or at least the end of U.S. 1. You want the salt air, the Hemingway vibes, and maybe a few too many margaritas on Duval Street. But then you look at the map and realize Key West is basically an outpost in the middle of the ocean.
What’s the closest airport to Key West Florida?
The short answer is Key West International Airport (EYW). It’s literally on the island. You land, you grab your bags, and ten minutes later, you’re checking into your hotel. It sounds like a no-brainer.
But travel is rarely that simple, is it?
Depending on where you’re coming from, "closest" doesn't always mean "easiest" or "cheapest." In 2026, the travel landscape in the Keys has shifted a bit with new terminal upgrades and airline routes, making the decision between flying direct and driving the "Stretch" more complicated than a high-stakes poker game.
The King of Proximity: Key West International (EYW)
If you value your time above all else, Key West International Airport is the only logical choice. Located at the southeastern corner of the island, this airport is tiny. I mean, it’s tiny in a way that’s almost charming until you're trying to find a seat at the gate during a summer thunderstorm delay.
By the spring of 2026, the long-awaited Concourse A expansion should be fully operational, which helps with the "sardine in a can" feeling of the old terminal. This upgrade brought better TSA flow and, mercifully, more bathroom stalls.
Why EYW is the Gold Standard
Flying into EYW puts you roughly 2 to 4 miles from just about any guest house in Old Town. You don't need a rental car. Honestly, having a car in Key West is a massive headache. Parking can cost $40 or $50 a day, and the streets are narrow enough to give a cyclist a heart attack.
Currently, several major carriers serve EYW with non-stop flights:
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- American Airlines: They run the show here with hubs in Miami, Charlotte, Dallas, and Philly.
- Delta: Reliable daily service from Atlanta and New York (LGA).
- United: Connects through Newark, Chicago, and Houston.
- Silver Airways: The regional workhorse that links Key West to Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale.
- Breeze & Allegiant: These low-cost carriers have been expanding their "point-to-point" routes, making it easier to fly in from random cities like Cincinnati or St. Pete without a layover.
The catch? The price. You will almost always pay a "paradise tax" to fly directly onto the island. It’s not uncommon for a flight to EYW to be $200 more expensive than a flight to Miami.
The Stealth Alternative: Florida Keys Marathon International (MTH)
Wait, there’s another airport in the Keys?
Sorta. Florida Keys Marathon International Airport is about 50 miles northeast of Key West. For years, it was a ghost town for commercial flights, mostly serving private jets and charter pilots.
While it's the second closest airport to Key West Florida, don't expect to find a $49 Spirit flight landing here. It’s primarily used by people who own their own planes or those booking private charters. If you do manage to hitch a ride to Marathon, you’re looking at a 60 to 75-minute drive down the Overseas Highway to reach Key West. It's a gorgeous drive—you’ll cross the Seven Mile Bridge—but it's a niche option at best.
The Big Brother: Miami International (MIA)
Most people flying to the Florida Keys end up at Miami International Airport. It’s 160 miles away.
That sounds far. And it is.
But Miami is the gateway for a reason. It has more international connections and lower domestic fares than almost any other airport in the Southeast. If you’re coming from Europe or the West Coast, you’re probably landing here.
The Drive: A Rite of Passage or a Nightmare?
Once you land in Miami, you have a choice. You can rent a car and drive down, or you can hop on a shuttle.
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The drive is legendary. It’s a 113-mile stretch of U.S. 1 that takes you over 42 bridges. On a Tuesday in October, it’s a dream. You see the turquoise water, you stop at Robbie’s in Islamorada to feed the tarpon, and you feel the stress melt away.
On a Saturday in February? It’s a literal parking lot.
The "18-Mile Stretch" between Florida City and Key Largo can turn into a crawl if there’s even a minor fender-bender. Because there’s only one road in and one road out, a single accident can add three hours to your trip. Most locals will tell you to budget at least 4 hours for the drive from MIA to Key West, even though Google Maps says 3.
The "Hacker" Choice: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL)
If you ask a seasoned Florida traveler, they’ll often tell you to skip Miami and fly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
FLL is about 30 miles north of Miami, which means it’s technically further from Key West. However, the airport is significantly easier to navigate. The rental car center is a breeze compared to the labyrinth at MIA, and the airport itself feels less like a chaotic international bazaar.
Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have a huge presence here. Sometimes the savings are so significant that they more than make up for the extra 45 minutes of driving time.
Comparing the Options (No Tables, Just Truth)
Let's break down the reality of these choices based on your priorities.
If you are short on time, fly to EYW. You’ll save 6 to 8 hours of round-trip travel time. If your vacation is only three days long, don't waste one of those days sitting in a rental car looking at the bumper of a Winnebago.
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If you are budget-conscious, fly to MIA or FLL. You can often find flights for half the price of EYW. Just remember to factor in the cost of a rental car, gas, and—the silent killer—parking in Key West. If your hotel charges $45 a night for parking, that "cheap" flight just got a lot more expensive.
If you want the experience, do the drive once. Seriously. Crossing the Seven Mile Bridge with the windows down and the salt air hitting your face is one of the great American road trips. Just do yourself a favor and don't do it on a Friday afternoon or a Sunday morning.
Shuttles and Buses: Skipping the Rental Car
You don't have to drive yourself from Miami.
There are several shuttle services, like the Keys Shuttle or Miami2KeyWest, that run daily routes. These usually cost between $70 and $100 per person. It’s a decent middle ground. You get the scenery of the drive without the stress of navigating the traffic.
Plus, you can nap. Or drink a beer. (Legal disclaimer: Check the shuttle's policy on that first.)
There’s also the Key West Express ferry if you happen to be on the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers or Marco Island. It’s not an airport, obviously, but it’s a high-speed catamaran that drops you right at the Seaport. If you find a cheap flight into Southwest Florida International (RSW), this is a killer way to arrive in style.
The Verdict on the Closest Airport
The closest airport to Key West Florida is Key West International Airport (EYW), and for most people, it’s the right call. The convenience of landing right in the heart of the action is hard to beat.
However, don't let the distance to Miami or Fort Lauderdale scare you off if the price is right. If you’re traveling with a big family, the savings of flying into a larger hub can pay for your entire hotel stay.
Just remember: Key West isn't a place where you want to be in a hurry. Whether you land at EYW and take a five-minute Uber or drive the long way down from FLL, the goal is the same. Get on island time as fast as humanly possible.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the math: Compare the total cost of flying to EYW versus flying to MIA + rental car + gas + hotel parking fees. Often, the "expensive" flight to Key West is actually cheaper once you add it all up.
- Timing is everything: If you drive, aim to pass through Florida City before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM to avoid the worst of the commuter and tourist bottleneck.
- Book your transport early: If you decide to use a shuttle service from Miami, book at least two weeks in advance, especially during the peak winter season (January–April).
- Download an offline map: Cell service can be spotty in the middle of the Seven Mile Bridge, and you don't want to miss your turn-off for the best fish tacos in Islamorada.