Do any airlines fly direct to Key West?
 

We can leave from PHL, ACY, or EWR. Can't seem to find any nonstops. Am I overlooking an airline?

Nope. Furthest from EYW with a commercial non-stop is ATL.

No your not overlooking. You have to change plans in Miami.

The only airport outside of Florida that has direct flights is Atlanta, with flights on Delta.

A quick way to find out which airlines--and from what cities--fly into an airport is to use wikipedia. It tells you gates, airlines, and what cities.

Okay, thanks. And MikeT, I never realized you could look up airport codes on wiki -- very helpful!

So why is it called "international"? I guess it services Caribbean countries too? Not that it makes any difference because I'm fling from NJ...now I'm just being nosy!

If you are flying from Newark, how are you getting to the airport and where are you coming from?

Pjk

Sorry Peter, I'm not sure I understand your question. I mean, I'd just drive and park. It's as easy as getting to PHL or ACY.

Actually MIA is the last place I would choose to connect. Try Orlando, Tampa, Pensacola or JAX.

Honestly, if I can't fly direct from the northeast, I'll just fly into Miami or FLL (cheapest one wins!) and drive into the Keys. The rental car winds up being cheaper than the difference in airfare -- so if I have to connect and I'm not saving any time or energy, I might as well stick with the fly-and-drive. Thanks! :)

Fly into Ft Lauderdale. Its much easier to get around compared to Miami.

"Fly into Ft Lauderdale. Its much easier to get around compared to Miami."

Except you have to drive through Miami to get to the Keys. The road from MIA to the interstate from FLL is the only difference.

What I mean is the actual airport. Fort Lauderdale airport is easier to get around. I have flown into both several times and many, many times I get to KW quicker from Ft Lauderdale.

Personally, I'd fly Delta from PHL, ACY, or EWR and take the ATL to Key West direct flight.

Forgot to add, my dad just drove from Key West back to South Carolina on Sunday and it took him six hours to get out of the keys because traffic was so bad.

If she has that choice, I agree with GoTravel.

Here's why I ask how you plan on getting to the airport and where you are coming from.

Parking at Newark has become too expensive, even the long term parking, so I take the Olympic shuttle from Plainsboro to Newark for $28.00 one way and $23.00 back. $51.00 is the cheapest way for me to get to and from the airport. I park free at the hotel where they pick me up.

The earliest they will pick up is 5:40 a.m. so when I book a flight I look for something the leaves Newark at approx. 8:00 and lately I have been using Continental. Leaving at 8:00 I get into either Miami, Tampa, or Ft Lauderdale at approx 11:00. I don't care where I change flights; I'll just sit in the terminal, but I want about an hour layover at least in case of delys. So when I book I look for a Continental Connection out of Florida for 12:00 - 1:00. This gets me into Key West by 1:00 - 2:00 and I can be on the beach by 2:30, latest. It's like having an additional day.

I just did this for approx $400.00 round trip when you include all of the various taxes, and with the shuttle cost I can get to and from key West for about $450.00.

Try logging onto something like ORBITZ and doing Newark and Key West for your dates and see what you get. IMO a base of about $350.00 is very good, but you have to look at the returning flight to be sure the $350.00 plus taxes is good both ways. Sometimes the return flight adds cost to the trip.

Pjk

If you are thinking of flying and driving, which many people do, there is always the Q of when to leave Key West to catch the returning flight from parts unknown in Fla.

There is no A to the Q because you don't know how long the drive will take since it is based on the traffic. The alternative is to fly/drive down and fly/fly back.

Pjk

I've found connecting through MIA quicker than driving. But I fly AA from National and there's only about an hour connecting time for the flights I've taken. We drove from/to FLL once when we stayed a night there to meet friends flying in from Cal. You really won't need a car in Key West, it's such a hassle to park in the old town, a car is almost useless.

Wow...I thought this would be one of those threads that everybody ignored because it's kind of boring :) So thanks for all the help!

Nothing is set in stone, but we're thinking of flying to MIA on a Thuesday (early), then renting a car and driving to Key West. I've been to Miami before so I am familiar with the roads and the airport -- just haven't been to the Keys! We're coming back on a weekday too, so hopefully traffic won't be a nightmare. Was thinking of staying in South Beach the night before, to make the trip to the airport in the a.m. easier. (Or Fort Lauderdale, if we wind up flying into FLL instead.)

Luckily there would be four of us on the trip, so rental car costs (and parking at the airport) would be split evenly. I actually used to live in Plainsboro, Peter...but not near there anymore! Oh well.

The Delta connection sounds fairly convenient, however it adds $200 to each ticket, whereas the rental car only adds $60 per person for the whole week. Plus it would only save an hour or so, after the layover.

This is a budget getaway, so it seems like the fly-drive combo will be the way to go!

Duh...just realized if we stay in mainland Florida the night before a Monday flight, that would have us driving back on a Sunday. Guess we should shoot for Friday through Tuesday instead, huh? :P

The drive from Miami to Key West is stunningly beautiful once you get to the Keys, a treat in and of itself.

Dump the rental car once you get to Key West.

You can re-rent (is that a word?) the day you leave Key West.

GoTravel,

Now I'm wondering why I never thought of that. Eight square miles and I'm going to pay for parking all weekend? Hehe. Thanks!

Glad we got over that. Now ask

1. where you can free drinks during happy hour in Key West.

2.What's the best daytime activiy

3. What's the best happy hour even if you have to pay for drinks.

4. Where's the Pinks?

Pjk

Peter:

Best daytime activity is wasting time.

However, I'd love to know where to find free drinks. Price is right!

What is the name of the bar on the way to Key West that has the sign out front that reads "Free Drinks Tomorrow"?

Where ever you are in Key West you will find copies of the See Key West magazine - about the size of the old TV Guides, and chock full of information *and* coupons for discounts in stores and for snorkeling and sunset sails. This magazine is your best friend on the island.

I forget the page number but there is a coupon for a free drink at the Half Shell Raw Bar and one for Alonzo's Oyster Bar, both at the Bight and both during Happy Hour, 4:00 - 7:00.

Alonzo's is the best deal since they also have 1/2 priced apps during happy hour. So for $6.00 you can get a lb. of peel-your-own shrimp and one free drink. One free drink for each person who has a coupon. You could do this every night if you wanted - a free Key West Sunset Ale and a different app.

I generally pick up a dozen of these mags and mail them out to people who are going to Key West for the first time, but I've mailed all of them since last November.

BUT I'm not going to tell you where to get $1.00 beers and free *food* as I don't want the place to get crowded.

Sorry.

Pjk

Just getting back to the flying thing - we usually use Continental and fly out of Newark. I found the best way is to flying into FLL and connect. It is a smaller plane to KW but you are there in no time. On the way back we usually leave on a Sunday morning and connect in Ft. Myers. Just make sure you give yourself at least an hour between both flights in case there is a delay. Enjoy! - Susan

The Coral Isle Bar had that sign "free beer tomorrow" but it was torn down a couple of years ago.

The Green Parrot is always a good hangout for cheap beer and free food (popcorn)lol!

Just look around off Duval street for cheap food and drink. I've been there plenty of times, usually fly back and forth from FLL to our boat at the A&B Marina for a couple of months a year. No it's not a large boat either. There may be more than one Free Drinks Tomorrow sign but I am almost positive that there is one in the bight (marina)area off Front Street, maybe somewhere around Half Shell Raw Bar/Turtle Kraals. Alonzo's is a great idea, right on the water and the magazine will help out here and there.
Daytime activites are everywhere? But remember it is Key West, most people come for water sports and just to hang out and consume food and drink!

Peter, my parents are back already from season in Key West but my dad is a teetotaler so I'll have to get my mom to find out which bar has the $1.00 beer and free food at happy hour!

I haven't been in a while but Pepes once had dollar beers. I think Crabby Dicks does too. But the best place is still the Parrot.

Well now everybody knows and there goes the neighborhood. Pepes has cheap beer during happy hour and free bar food, but it's nachos or those little pizzas which I don't tend to eat in Key West. The White Tarpon, next to D*mn Good Food Co. puts out a barrel filled with ice and bottles of beer which are $2.00 24/7. But I usually don't drink bottled beer except at B.O.'s Fishwagon. (Corona)

For quite drinks I walk to the south side to the Duval Beach Club where it's nice to sip and overlook the ocean. Sunset Ale is $3.75 here. And if you don't mind paying $6.50 for a Bloody Mary, the Rooftop Cafe on Front Street is great. It overlooks the wrecker's Museum and is never crowded at about 4:00 in the afternoon.

I'm there in May, one month from today.

Pjk

LOL this is funny! I just got off the phone with my dad and he said Pepes!

But if you want a drink at Pepes dont waste it on a beer, they have some of the best mixed drinks around since they use fresh juice. Ya can't beat it.

If you choose to drive out, stop @ the No Name Pub for lunch. It is worth the side trip www.nonamepub.com

Crabby Dicks??? I'll pass!

Actually, I'm not a beer drinker. I'm a margarita drinker. Occasionally, for some variety, I am not opposed to being a mango rum drinker or a mai tai drinker. I'm multi-faceted like that.

We'll have to give Pepe's a go!

Crabby Dicks is horrible. I was just mentioning the beer thing.

Hey, cheap beer is cheap beer. :) If Crabby Dick's served $1 margaritas, I can't pretend I'd turn 'em down.

I'm not a big marguerita drinker but during happy hour, Kelly's on the corner of Whitehead and Caroline has the best IMO. $2.50. Sit at the outside part of the bar overlooking the garden.

I, too, Stopped going to Crabby Dick's.

Pjk