Let's be real. If you’re standing in the humidity of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), the idea of driving four hours down the Overseas Highway sounds like a romantic Florida dream—until you actually hit the traffic in Key Largo. That’s usually when people start wondering if they should have just booked a seat on a plane. Honestly, choosing to fly from fort lauderdale to key west is either the smartest move of your vacation or a logistical headache, depending entirely on how much you value your time versus your bank account.
Most people assume it’s a tiny hop. It is. We’re talking about a flight that often stays below 10,000 feet and takes about 45 to 55 minutes from wheels up to wheels down. You barely have time to finish a bag of pretzels before the turquoise water of the backcountry starts filling up your window. But there’s a lot of nuance to this route that the booking sites don’t tell you, especially regarding the difference between the commercial "puddle jumpers" and the private charters that dominate the FLL to EYW corridor.
The Reality of the 50-Minute Flight
Silver Airways is the big name here. They operate most of the direct commercial flights between FLL and Key West. They use ATR-600 series aircraft, which are turboprops. If you’ve never flown a turboprop, it’s a bit different than the massive Boeings or Airbuses you used to get to Florida. It’s louder. You feel the air more. Some people find it "charming," others find it "terrifying," but in reality, these are incredibly safe, modern workhorses designed specifically for short-haul island hopping.
The schedule is usually pretty consistent, with flights leaving FLL several times a day. Because it's a short distance, the plane doesn't need to burn thousands of gallons of fuel to reach cruising altitude. This is why you can sometimes find one-way tickets for under $100 if you book far enough out. However, if you wait until the last minute during Fantasy Fest or a big fishing tournament, don't be shocked to see those prices quadruple.
Why the view is actually the point
If you fly, sit on the left side of the plane heading south. You’ll get the coastline. You see the reef. You see the way the water changes from a muddy green near the mainland to that piercing, electric Gatorade blue as you pass the Seven Mile Bridge. It’s essentially a subsidized flight tour of the Florida Keys. If you drive, you're looking at the bumper of a rental Mustang for 160 miles. If you fly, you're seeing the third-largest barrier reef in the world from the best seat in the house.
Commercial vs. Private: Making the Call
South Florida is the private aviation capital of the world, basically. While Silver Airways is the standard choice, a lot of travelers—especially groups or those with pets—opt for "semi-private" or charter options. Companies like Tropic Ocean Airways often operate out of the FLL private terminals (FBOs).
The difference is night and day.
👉 See also: Something is wrong with my world map: Why the Earth looks so weird on paper
When you go commercial, you’re dealing with the main terminal at FLL. That means TSA lines. That means the "C" gates. That means arriving two hours early for a 50-minute flight. That sort of defeats the purpose of "saving time," doesn't it? If the TSA line is an hour long, and the flight is an hour long, you've spent three hours to travel a distance you could have driven in nearly the same time.
On the flip side, flying private or charter means you pull up to an FBO (Fixed Base Operator) like Sheltair or Jetscape. You walk in, show an ID, and you're on the plane in ten minutes. No shoes off. No liquids in tiny bags. If you’re traveling with a dog that’s too big for a carry-on bag, this is often the only way to fly from fort lauderdale to key west without putting your animal in a cargo hold—which, honestly, nobody wants to do in the Florida heat.
The Luggage Trap
Here is a factual detail that catches people off guard: Weight limits on these small planes are strict. On the Silver Airways ATRs, they are much more aggressive about weighing carry-ons than United or Delta might be on a cross-country flight. If you're bringing heavy dive gear or a massive hard-shell suitcase, you might find your bag arriving on the next flight because of weight and balance issues. It’s a small plane reality. Plan for it. Pack light.
Comparing the Drive to the Flight
Let's look at the math. The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is roughly 190 miles. On a perfect Tuesday in October, you can do it in 3.5 hours. On a Friday in March? God help you. You're looking at 5 or 6 hours.
- Fuel and Rental: Gas isn't cheap, and the "one-way" drop-off fees for rental cars in Key West are notorious. Sometimes it costs $200 just in fees to leave a car at EYW.
- Parking in Key West: This is the secret killer. If you drive, you have to park. Most hotels in Old Town charge $40 to $60 per night for parking. If you're staying for four nights, you’ve just spent $240 just to let a car sit there while you walk or ride a bike—which is how you should be getting around Key West anyway.
- The Flight Cost: If two people fly for $150 each, that's $300. When you subtract the rental car, the gas, and the parking fees, the flight often breaks even or ends up being cheaper.
What Happens When You Land at EYW?
Key West International Airport (EYW) is one of the easiest airports in the country. It’s small. You walk off the plane, usually down a ramp onto the tarmac—prepare for the wall of humidity to hit you—and the baggage claim is right there.
You don't need a car. Seriously.
✨ Don't miss: Pic of Spain Flag: Why You Probably Have the Wrong One and What the Symbols Actually Mean
The airport is on the "quiet" side of the island. A Lyft or Uber to Duval Street or the historic seaport will take about 10 to 15 minutes and cost you maybe $20. Many of the higher-end resorts, like The Reach or Casa Marina, are even closer. If you’re staying at a place like the Ocean Edge, they often have a shuttle waiting.
Weather and the "Island Time" Delay
You have to talk about the weather. Florida in the summer is a cycle of afternoon thunderstorms. These aren't just rain; they are massive, localized cells with heavy lightning. Because the planes used to fly from fort lauderdale to key west are smaller, they are more susceptible to weather delays than the big jets.
If there’s a massive cell over Marathon, the flight is going to sit on the tarmac at FLL. This is the one area where driving has an advantage. A car can drive through a rainstorm; a Silver Airways turboprop is going to wait for it to clear. If you have a tight connection or a dinner reservation you can't miss, always check the radar about three hours before your flight.
The "Overwater" Factor
There is a psychological component, too. Some people get nervous about flying in small planes over open water. While you are never actually that far from land—you're following the string of the Keys—the perspective from the air makes the land look very small and the ocean look very big. If you're a nervous flier, just know that this route is flown dozens of times a day without incident. The pilots who fly these routes know every inch of that airspace.
Expert Tips for Booking This Route
Don't just go to a big travel aggregator and click the first thing you see.
- Check Silver Airways directly: Sometimes their "Escape" fares don't show up correctly on third-party sites.
- Look at United and JetBlue: These majors often codeshare with Silver. If you have miles with them, you can often book the FLL to EYW leg as part of a larger itinerary for almost nothing.
- Consider the FLL-MIA-EYW mistake: Sometimes a search will suggest you fly from Fort Lauderdale to Miami, then to Key West. That is insane. You’ll spend more time in security than in the air. If there isn't a direct flight from FLL, just drive or take the "Keys Shuttle" bus.
- The Seaplane Option: If you really want to ball out, there are seaplane charters. They don't usually run a scheduled "bus route" from FLL, but if you have a group, taking a seaplane from a nearby lagoon directly to the water off Key West is the undisputed coolest way to arrive.
Is it worth it?
Kinda depends on your vibe. If you’ve never seen the Keys, driving once is a rite of passage. Seeing the kitschy shops in Islamorada and eating a fish sandwich at a roadside stand is great. But if you’ve done it once, the novelty wears off fast. The drive back north on a Sunday afternoon is particularly soul-crushing.
🔗 Read more: Seeing Universal Studios Orlando from Above: What the Maps Don't Tell You
Flying is for the person who wants to be in a pool with a drink in their hand by 2:00 PM. It’s for the person who realizes that Key West is a walking town and a car is just a $50-a-day paperweight.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of this flight, you should change how you pack and how you schedule. First, download the FlightAware app. Since these small planes do "turns" (they go back and forth between FLL and EYW all day), a delay in the morning ripples into the afternoon. If you see your incoming plane is late, you can hang out at a bar in Las Olas for another hour rather than sitting at a cramped gate.
Second, if you’re flying commercial, use the "Gate 66" trick at FLL if you're in that terminal. It’s often less crowded than the main hubs. Third, and most importantly, book your ground transport in Key West ahead of time if you're arriving during a festival. Uber prices on the island can surge to $80 for a 2-mile trip when the island is full.
Ultimately, the choice to fly from fort lauderdale to key west is about buying back your time. You're trading money for 4 hours of your life. In a place as beautiful as the Southernmost City, those 4 hours are worth a lot. Stop worrying about the luggage scale, pack a carry-on, and get in the air. The reef looks better from 5,000 feet anyway.
Next Steps for Your Travel Planning:
- Check the Silver Airways flight map to see if a multi-city ticket from your home airport is cheaper than booking FLL separately.
- Compare the total cost of a 4-day car rental plus $200 in parking fees against a $180 round-trip flight.
- Look up the "Keys Shuttle" if you find that flight prices are spiked for your specific dates; it's a solid middle-ground alternative to driving yourself.