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Down the Overseas Highway

The best Miami to Key West day tours

Bus day trips with hotel pickup, trips with dolphin spotting or snorkeling, a boat-and-snorkel day and driving the Overseas Highway yourself: here is how to pick, with honest advice on the long day on the bus, late or missed pickups and how much time you really get in Key West.

By the Best Things to Do in Miami editorial team 6 tours compared Prices checked 23 October 2026

See our 6 picks
Key West's Old Town rooftops and streets seen from above
Short answer

The best Miami to Key West day tour for most people is the bus trip with pickup at selected hotels. It costs from about €36. Expect a 14-hour day, with 6 hours of free time in Key West.

Our 6 picks for Key West day tours

All six are bus day trips from Miami; three add a boat trip in Key West. All have free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

Key West day tours compared

Key West day tours compared
TourFromDurationGroup sizePickupWho it suitsWhy we picked it
Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels 4.3 (4,004)€36
per person		14 hoursUp to 100Pickup includedFirst-timers who want an easy dayThe cheapest trip with hotel pickup, with 4.3 from 4,004 reviews.
Key West day tour by bus with optional activities 4.2 (2,505)€55
per person		13 hoursUp to 59Meet on siteVisitors who want an activity in Key WestThe most add-on choices, with 4.2 from 2,505 reviews.
Key West day trip with dolphin spotting or snorkeling 4.5 (556)€59
per person		15–16 hoursNot statedPickup includedFamilies who want time on the waterThe best-rated trip here, 4.5 from 556 reviews.
Key West day trip with optional hotel pickup 4.4 (353)€37
per person		15 hoursUp to 50Meet on siteBudget visitors staying downtown6 hours of free time from about €37, with 4.4 from 353 reviews.
Key West day trip with snorkeling or dolphin watching 4.4 (53)€59
per person		15 hoursUp to 49Pickup includedSnorkelers who want a longer boat tripThe longest snorkel option, with 4.4 from 53 reviews.
Key West by bus with an optional boat tour, snorkeling and open bar 4.1 (19)€16
per person		18 hoursNot statedMeet on siteNight owls staying in Miami BeachThe cheapest start price, from about €16, but only 19 reviews (4.1); the price changes by date.

  • Key West day trip with pickup at selected hotels

    €36 per person14 hours 4.3 (4,004)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 100
    Pickup
    Pickup included
    Who it suits
    First-timers who want an easy day
    Why we picked it
    The cheapest trip with hotel pickup, with 4.3 from 4,004 reviews.

  • Key West day tour by bus with optional activities

    €55 per person13 hours 4.2 (2,505)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 59
    Pickup
    Meet on site
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want an activity in Key West
    Why we picked it
    The most add-on choices, with 4.2 from 2,505 reviews.

  • Key West day trip with dolphin spotting or snorkeling

    €59 per person15–16 hours 4.5 (556)

    Details
    Group size
    Not stated
    Pickup
    Pickup included
    Who it suits
    Families who want time on the water
    Why we picked it
    The best-rated trip here, 4.5 from 556 reviews.

  • Key West day trip with optional hotel pickup

    €37 per person15 hours 4.4 (353)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 50
    Pickup
    Meet on site
    Who it suits
    Budget visitors staying downtown
    Why we picked it
    6 hours of free time from about €37, with 4.4 from 353 reviews.

  • Key West day trip with snorkeling or dolphin watching

    €59 per person15 hours 4.4 (53)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 49
    Pickup
    Pickup included
    Who it suits
    Snorkelers who want a longer boat trip
    Why we picked it
    The longest snorkel option, with 4.4 from 53 reviews.

  • Key West by bus with an optional boat tour, snorkeling and open bar

    €16 per person18 hours 4.1 (19)

    Details
    Group size
    Not stated
    Pickup
    Meet on site
    Who it suits
    Night owls staying in Miami Beach
    Why we picked it
    The cheapest start price, from about €16, but only 19 reviews (4.1); the price changes by date.

All 6 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.

Miami to Key West tours compared

Miami to Key West tours all go by bus. They differ in pickup, length and what you do in Key West.

Three of our picks include pickup: the hotel-pickup trip and the two trips with a boat option. One more offers hotel pickup as an option. The other two meet at a set address in Downtown Miami or Miami Beach.

Key West trips with dolphin spotting

Two of our picks offer a 2.5-hour dolphin spotting boat in Key West. You choose it as an option when you book. The same trips offer a snorkel boat instead.

How much time do you get in Key West?

You get about 6 hours in Key West on the trips that state it. Two of our picks promise 6 hours of free time.

The rest of the day is on the bus. A 14-hour day means about 8 hours of travel. If you add a boat trip, it comes out of your free time.

Is there a ferry or boat from Miami to Key West?

No, there is no regular passenger ferry from Miami to Key West. The Key West Express ferry sails from Fort Myers Beach on the Gulf coast. It takes about 3.5 hours each way.

From Miami, you go by bus, shuttle or car. Boat tours with dolphins or snorkeling start in Key West itself.

Driving from Miami to the Florida Keys

Driving from Miami to the Florida Keys is easy: one road takes you all the way. Key West is about 159 miles from Miami International Airport. The Florida Keys tourism office says you can drive it in under four hours, plus stops.

The Overseas Highway runs 113 miles from Key Largo and crosses 42 bridges. The longest is the Seven Mile Bridge.

For the bus, the shuttle and the drive in detail, read our guide on Miami to Key West.

Key West is the longest day out. For shorter trips, see all our day tours from Miami.

If you would rather drive the Overseas Highway at your own pace:

Compare rental cars at Miami International Airport

The arches of the old Seven Mile Bridge over turquoise water

Tips before you book a Key West day trip

  1. Be ready early

    Buses can run late in traffic. Wait at your pickup spot at the time on your ticket, and do not walk away.

  2. Check the pickup line

    Only some trips pick you up at your hotel. Others meet at a set address.

  3. Budget for extras

    Food, drinks, tips and activities in Key West are extra on most trips.

  4. Bring sun gear

    Florida has no local sunscreen ban, but bring a hat and cover-up for the boat.

Key West day trips: questions and answers

How do you get from Miami to Key West?
By bus, shuttle or car. A day tour by bus takes 13 to 15 hours there and back. Greyhound takes about 4.5 hours one way, from $23.48.

How many bridges are there between Miami and Key West?
The Overseas Highway crosses 42 bridges between Key Largo and Key West. The longest is the Seven Mile Bridge.

Is there a ferry or boat from Miami to Key West?
No, there is no regular ferry from Miami. The Key West Express sails from Fort Myers Beach, about 3.5 hours each way.

Can you drive to Key West from Miami?
Yes. It is about 159 miles on one road, the Overseas Highway. The Florida Keys tourism office says it takes under four hours without stops.

More Key West day tours, live

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More day trips from Miami

Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against: Florida Keys tourism office: Overseas Highway · Florida Keys tourism office: quick facts · Florida Keys tourism office: driving the highway · Key West Express · Greyhound: Miami to Key West · Florida Statutes 499.002.

Sources (6), facts checked on 23 October 2026

Written by the Best Things to Do in Miami editorial team.