Express ferry to Key West from Ft. Myers..???'s
 

We have narrowed a rather expansive/ambitious trip to Florida down to simply staying in Sanibel Island at the Marriott. Given the purpose of our bi coastal best friend get together was to see Key West we have decided to take the ferry to Key West out of Ft. Myers. Wondering if anyone has done this and how did they spend their four hours or so in Key West.
Thanks for all your help and support.

I have done it. We took the Conch train to tour it. Then just walked down Duval St and bar hopped. It was very rushed. http://www.conchtourtrain.com/index.htm

Since then, my parents have always driven to have more time. There have been issues with people getting stranded there due to a cancelled ferry, etc then you have to wait for next day / rent a car.

Yes, I agree with the above statement. You can be stranded for a day or few days if the weather is not cooperating. One of my friends had to rent a car to get back in time for work, about 3 days later, if my memory serves me right.

OTOH, it is kind of fun if it works as advertised <b>OR</b> if you have the time and money for a hotel in KW.

While it is true, that we don't have Mother Nature on our payroll(working on it though). We do have the need to on that rare occasion to cancel one of our trips. Again, this is a factor in any travel, by any means.

We have been offering this service for over 17 years now, to many thousands of folks and hope that you will give us a shot..

save yourself the aggravation.....stay in KW

Where do you catch the ferry in Ft. Myers? Any good motels nearby?

The ferry leaves from the docks on main st in ft Myers Beach. That is just before the bridge onto Estero Island and all of the Gulf front hotels... Take your pick...

What motels would you recommend near the Key West Express landing? Do any of them have shuttle service to/from landing?

Just pick any hotel or motel on ft Myers beach... The beach trolley runs right by Main Street or you could take a public bus or a taxi for just a few bucks...

Hotels and motels are in all price ranges...

Our kids did it and loved it.

My wife and a friend flew Cape Air from RSW. Quick, great views since the plane, Cessna 402, flies low. Costs more.

We did it last winter. Trip down was rough....probably 80% of folks were seasick. Took the Conch train tour, walked Duval Street, and had a few beers. My friend was one of the sick travelers and she dreaded the trip back which turned out to be fine. When time is limited, I'd recommend the trip. Bring a book or cards...long boring ride.

<i> My wife and a friend flew <b> Cape Air </b> from RSW. Quick, great views since the plane, Cessna 402, flies low. </i>

I believe Cape Air pulled out of Florida.

If there's any way you can make more time for Key West, it really is worth spending some time there; we just did a trip and stayed for several days and never ran out of things to do. Nice architecture, snorkeling, great restaurants, Dry Tortugas, sunset sails, Mallory Square, Hemingway House, Duval Street, etc.

Yes, Cape Air no longer flies to Key West, but there are non stops from Ft. Myers to Key West with Silver Airways (which I think also operates as United or United Express -- they are sort of a code share.

Had a friend who just took the ferry down in January, he and almost everyone else got sick coming back -- but fortunately not going down. It was VERY rough he said.

Silver is now separate from United but I've been noticing some very good prices for flights to and from Key West - $49.00 - $59.00 pp. Get on their mailing list.

Now that they are separate you can no longer use a United credit card to by-pass the $25.00 baggage fee on Silver.

Pjk

I was going to say the same thing; we used them, and they charged us for our luggage even though we're Elite level on United. They were also really unreliable - first plane was delayed due to mechanical issues, couldn't get a crew, etc. Delayed us several hours so we missed our connection, but maybe just our experience.

FWIW I complained to my cc company the first time I was charged for baggage for the Silver flight saying avoiding the fees was the only reason I had the card which is true. They credited the $25.00 back.

And in about four flights to and from Key West I've found Silver to be more reliable than the old United/Continental Connection flights. Those old airplanes must have had a zillion miles on them and it was rare there wasn't a dely.

Pjk