Days out from Miami
The best day tours from Miami
Key West by bus, Everglades airboat rides, Bimini in the Bahamas by ferry and Fort Lauderdale by boat: here is how to pick a day tour from Miami, with honest advice on long hours on the road, pickups that run late and what is really included.
See our 8 picks
The best day tour from Miami for most people is an Everglades airboat trip with the bus from Miami. It takes half a day and costs from about €44. Key West takes a full 14-hour day. Bimini in the Bahamas takes about 15 hours and needs a passport.
Our 8 picks for day tours from Miami
Six day trips that start in Miami, then two outings in Key West to add on top. All eight have free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
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from €44 per person Our top pick 5 hours 4.1 (11,210) reviews on GetYourGuide
Everglades airboat ride, wildlife exhibit and bus from Miami
A round-trip bus from Miami, park admission, a 45-minute airboat ride and a wildlife exhibit with about 50 rescued animals. About 5 hours. Hotel pickup is not included, so you go to a meeting point.
Best for Visitors without a car who want a half day
Check availability: Everglades airboat ride, wildlife exhibit and bus from Miami on GetYourGuide -
from €36 per person 14 hours 4.3 (4,004) reviews on GetYourGuide
Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels
Pickup and drop-off at selected hotels, an air-conditioned bus and a guide in English and Spanish. The card promises 6 hours of free time in Key West. About 14 hours. Food, drinks, tips and tours in Key West cost extra.
Best for First-timers who want Key West without driving
Check availability: Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels on GetYourGuide -
from €32 per person 1 hour 4.5 (8,067) reviews on GetYourGuide
Everglades National Park airboat ride and wildlife show
A 35- to 40-minute narrated airboat ride and a 30-minute alligator show, with parking. About 1 hour. You drive there yourself, and the card lists a park fee of $8 per person, paid on site.
Best for Visitors with a car
Check availability: Everglades National Park airboat ride and wildlife show on GetYourGuide -
from €69 per person 4.5 hours 4.5 (522) reviews on GetYourGuide
Everglades airboat ride with pickup from Miami
Round-trip transport from meeting points in Miami, a 45-minute airboat ride and all park fees. About 4.5 hours. Not for children under 3, pregnant women or wheelchair users.
Best for Visitors who want every fee paid upfront
Check availability: Everglades airboat ride with pickup from Miami on GetYourGuide -
from €55 per person 13 hours 4.2 (2,505) reviews on GetYourGuide
Key West day tour by bus with optional activities
A round-trip bus from 401 Biscayne Blvd, a guide and free time in Key West. You can add a trolley, a glass-bottom boat or snorkeling. About 13 hours. No hotel pickup; food and entry fees in Key West cost extra.
Best for Visitors who want to add an activity in Key West
Check availability: Key West day tour by bus with optional activities on GetYourGuide -
from €30 per person 40 minutes 4.3 (2,298) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sawgrass Park airboat ride and reptile exhibit
A 40-minute airboat ride with a live guide, ear protection and the alligator and reptile exhibit. The park is in Weston, west of Fort Lauderdale. No hotel pickup, and tips are extra.
Best for Visitors staying north of Miami
Check availability: Sawgrass Park airboat ride and reptile exhibit on GetYourGuide -
from €71 per person 2 hours 4.6 (518) reviews on GetYourGuide
In Key West: sunset cruise with open bar and food (book on top of a day trip or a stay)
A 2-hour catamaran cruise at sunset from 201 William St in Key West, with an open bar, snacks and live music. Tips and transport to the dock are extra. It starts in Key West, not Miami.
Best for Visitors staying a night in Key West
Check availability: In Key West: sunset cruise with open bar and food (book on top of a day trip or a stay) on GetYourGuide -
from €88 per person 2 hours 4.8 (277) reviews on GetYourGuide
In Key West: shark and wildlife catamaran tour (book on top of a day trip or a stay)
A 2-hour eco tour on a shaded catamaran from 245 Front St in Key West, with drinks. Food, hotel pickup and tips are extra. Not for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.
Best for Wildlife fans with time in Key West
Check availability: In Key West: shark and wildlife catamaran tour (book on top of a day trip or a stay) on GetYourGuide
Day tours from Miami compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everglades airboat ride, wildlife exhibit and bus from Miami | €44 per person | 5 hours | Meet on site | Visitors without a car who want a half day | The most-booked day out here: 4.1 from 11,210 reviews. |
| Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels | €36 per person | 14 hours | Pickup included | First-timers who want Key West without driving | The cheapest Key West day trip with hotel pickup, from about €36, with 4.3 from 4,004 reviews. |
| Everglades National Park airboat ride and wildlife show | €32 per person | 1 hour | Meet on site | Visitors with a car | The best-rated airboat ride here, 4.5 from 8,067 reviews, from about €32. |
| Everglades airboat ride with pickup from Miami | €69 per person | 4.5 hours | Pickup included | Visitors who want every fee paid upfront | Park fees are included, with 4.5 from 522 reviews. |
| Key West day tour by bus with optional activities | €55 per person | 13 hours | Meet on site | Visitors who want to add an activity in Key West | The most options in one booking, with 4.2 from 2,505 reviews. |
| Sawgrass Park airboat ride and reptile exhibit | €30 per person | 40 minutes | Meet on site | Visitors staying north of Miami | The cheapest airboat ride here, from about €30, with 4.3 from 2,298 reviews. |
| In Key West: sunset cruise with open bar and food (book on top of a day trip or a stay) | €71 per person | 2 hours | Meet on site | Visitors staying a night in Key West | 4.6 from 518 reviews, for an evening in Key West. |
| In Key West: shark and wildlife catamaran tour (book on top of a day trip or a stay) | €88 per person | 2 hours | Meet on site | Wildlife fans with time in Key West | The best-rated pick here, 4.8 from 277 reviews. |
Everglades airboat ride, wildlife exhibit and bus from Miami
€44 per person5 hours 4.1 (11,210)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors without a car who want a half day
- Why we picked it
- The most-booked day out here: 4.1 from 11,210 reviews.
Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels
€36 per person14 hours 4.3 (4,004)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- First-timers who want Key West without driving
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest Key West day trip with hotel pickup, from about €36, with 4.3 from 4,004 reviews.
Everglades National Park airboat ride and wildlife show
€32 per person1 hour 4.5 (8,067)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors with a car
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated airboat ride here, 4.5 from 8,067 reviews, from about €32.
Everglades airboat ride with pickup from Miami
€69 per person4.5 hours 4.5 (522)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want every fee paid upfront
- Why we picked it
- Park fees are included, with 4.5 from 522 reviews.
Key West day tour by bus with optional activities
€55 per person13 hours 4.2 (2,505)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want to add an activity in Key West
- Why we picked it
- The most options in one booking, with 4.2 from 2,505 reviews.
Sawgrass Park airboat ride and reptile exhibit
€30 per person40 minutes 4.3 (2,298)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors staying north of Miami
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest airboat ride here, from about €30, with 4.3 from 2,298 reviews.
In Key West: sunset cruise with open bar and food (book on top of a day trip or a stay)
€71 per person2 hours 4.6 (518)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors staying a night in Key West
- Why we picked it
- 4.6 from 518 reviews, for an evening in Key West.
In Key West: shark and wildlife catamaran tour (book on top of a day trip or a stay)
€88 per person2 hours 4.8 (277)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Wildlife fans with time in Key West
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated pick here, 4.8 from 277 reviews.
Group size is stated for 4 tours only: Everglades airboat ride, wildlife exhibit and bus from Miami, up to 30; Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels, up to 100; Key West day tour by bus with optional activities, up to 59; Sawgrass Park airboat ride and reptile exhibit, up to 25. All 8 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 23 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
What are the best day trips out of Miami?
The best day trips out of Miami are the Everglades, Key West, Bimini in the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale. Each one fits a different kind of day.
The Everglades is the shortest. An airboat ride with the bus from Miami takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. Key West takes 13 to 14 hours, most of it on the bus. Bimini takes about 15 hours with the ferry and hotel transfers.
Fort Lauderdale is the easiest to do on your own. The train gets you there, and the boat tours there last 75 to 90 minutes. Palm Beach is another common idea, but we list no tour there.
Which day trip fits you: Key West, Everglades, Bahamas or Fort Lauderdale?
Pick the day trip by what you want to see and how long you want to sit on a bus.
- Alligators and airboats: the Everglades, in half a day.
- An island town with free time: Key West, in a long day.
- Another country: Bimini in the Bahamas, with a passport.
- Mansions and canals by boat: Fort Lauderdale, close by train.
For couples
For couples, a night in Key West works better than a day trip. Then you can add the sunset cruise with an open bar. On a day trip, the bus leaves Key West before sunset.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is free to enter. Most of it is water, and the reefs lie 10 miles or more out, so you need a boat to see them. We list no Biscayne day tour on this page.
Is Key West worth a day trip from Miami?
Key West is worth a day trip if you do not mind a long day on the bus. The day lasts 13 to 14 hours. The best part is the drive: the Overseas Highway runs 113 miles and crosses 42 bridges.
Our hotel-pickup pick promises 6 hours of free time in Key West. The cheaper bus tour has no hotel pickup but lets you add a boat or snorkel trip.
Want to go at your own pace? Our guide to Miami to Key West covers the bus, the shuttle and the drive.
Can you visit the Bahamas in one day? Island day trips
Yes, you can visit Bimini in the Bahamas in one day. The ferry leaves from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, not from Miami. The crossing takes about 2 hours each way.
Our pick picks you up at your Miami Beach hotel. It gives you 6 hours on Bimini and includes landing fees. The whole day takes about 15 hours.
Bring a passport. US citizens need a passport book or card. Visitors from other countries also need an ESTA or US visa to come back.
Can you see the Everglades in half a day?
Yes, you can see the Everglades in half a day. The tours with a bus from Miami take about 4.5 to 5 hours, with a 45-minute airboat ride.
If you have a car, one of the Everglades airboat tours on its own takes about an hour. The ride itself lasts 35 to 45 minutes.
Half-day tours
Two of our picks are half-day tours with transport. The bus tour from Miami includes park admission and a wildlife exhibit. The tour with pickup includes all park fees.
What about Fort Lauderdale by boat?
Fort Lauderdale is a good half day by boat. The Millionaire’s Row cruise takes 75 minutes and comes with free beer, wine and soda. The water taxi pass lets you ride all day.
You get there on your own. The Tri-Rail train costs $6 one way on weekdays. Weekends cost $5 for a day pass.
Compare the day trips: time, travel and what is included
The main difference is time on the road. The Everglades is the shortest, about half a day. Key West and Bimini each take a full day. Here is what each trip looks like.
- Everglades by bus: 4.5 to 5 hours in all. Airboat ride and park entry included.
- Key West by bus: 13 to 14 hours. Bus and guide included; food and activities extra.
- Bimini by ferry: about 15 hours. Ferry, transfers and landing fees included; food and tips extra.
- Fort Lauderdale by boat: 75 to 90 minutes on the water. You pay your own train there.
Bus tour or go on your own?
Take a bus tour if you have no car. There is no public transport to the airboat parks on US-41. Ride apps may not come back to pick you up.
Go on your own if you want more time at each stop. Key West takes under four hours by car without stops. The Everglades park charges $35 per car.
For a full day in the park itself, see our guide to Everglades National Park.
For the Keys or the Everglades on your own schedule:
How to plan your day (pickup, tickets, timing)
Plan for an early start and a late return. Key West buses leave early in the morning and return at night.
Be at your pickup spot early. Buses can run late in Miami traffic, so wait where the ticket tells you. Do not walk off to look for the bus.
Check what is included before you book. Some Everglades tours include the park fee, and some do not. Tips are extra on most trips.
Tips before you book a day trip
Check the pickup line
Some tours pick you up at selected hotels. Others meet at a set address in Miami. Read the line on the card.
Look for the park fee
Some airboat cards list an $8 park fee paid on site. Others include all fees. Check before you go.
Budget for tips and food
Food, drinks and tips are extra on almost every day trip here.
Use free cancellation
All eight picks let you cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. That helps if the weather turns.
Day trips from Miami: questions and answers
Which day trips can you take from Miami?
Do Miami day tours include hotel pickup?
How much free time do you get in Key West on a day trip?
Do I need a passport for a day trip from Miami?
More day tours from Miami, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
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See all of these tours with today's prices on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideFacts checked on 23 October 2026 against: Florida Keys tourism office: Overseas Highway · Florida Keys tourism office: driving the highway · NPS: Everglades fees · NPS: Everglades directions · NPS: Biscayne FAQ · Baleària Caribbean: Fort Lauderdale to Bimini · Baleària Caribbean: travel documents · Tri-Rail: fares.
Sources (8), facts checked on 23 October 2026
Written by the Best Things to Do in Miami editorial team.