Key West International Airport (EYW) Guide: Key West, United States
Key West International Airport is the fast way into the southernmost city in the continental United States. EYW is tiny by hub standards but route-rich for its size, with winter and seasonal nonstops that can save the long Overseas Highway drive from Miami or Fort Lauderdale. The airport is close to everything, but fares, hotel rates, and rental cars can swing dramatically by season.
This guide is written for travelers who want the useful details first: the real airport name, where it sits, how much to budget for transport, what to expect in the terminal, where to search for flights, and which services to arrange before landing. Prices and routes are updated for June 2026 and should be treated as practical planning ranges rather than fixed promises.
Quick airport facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full airport name | Key West International Airport |
| Short codes | EYW / KEYW |
| Also searched as | Key West Airport, EYW Airport |
| City and country | Key West, United States |
| Practical address | Key West International Airport, 3491 S Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040, United States. |
| Distance to city | About 2-4 miles from Old Town, Duval Street, and the Historic Seaport, usually 10-20 minutes by road. |
| Updated | 2026-06-15 |
- Best for: Key West, Lower Keys, Old Town, Duval Street, Historic Seaport, fishing, diving, and short island breaks.
- Main route logic: 23 domestic destinations and 7 airlines in FlightConnections for June 2026, with winter schedules even broader.
- Airport style: compact island airport with taxis, rideshare, shuttles, buses, rental cars, shops, dining, and short city transfers.
- Planning rule: check exact airport code; EYW saves hours compared with flying to Miami and driving.
Address and location
Use Key West International Airport (EYW) for flight searches and Key West Airport, EYW Airport as backup search wording in maps, hotel messages, and taxi conversations. The practical address is:
Key West International Airport, 3491 S Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040, United States.
About 2-4 miles from Old Town, Duval Street, and the Historic Seaport, usually 10-20 minutes by road. For a serious itinerary, save the airport coordinates offline, download the city area in Google Maps or Organic Maps, and keep your hotel address in both English and the local language where possible.
How to get from the airport to the city
| Option | Typical time | Approximate cost | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or rideshare to Old Town/Duval | 10-20 min | About USD 20-35 | π Best simple hotel transfer. |
| Key West Transit / local bus | 20-45 min | Low local fare; Duval Loop USD 1, all-day pass USD 4 | π Budget option with light luggage. |
| Keys Shuttle / intercity shuttle | Varies by Keys/Miami/FLL route | Quote required | π Useful for Middle/Upper Keys and airport connections. |
| Rental car | 10-60+ min Keys routes | Often USD 60-160/day before fees plus parking | π Useful for Lower Keys, less useful if staying only in Old Town. |
Old Town is close enough that many visitors do not need a rental car. Parking can be expensive and scarce, so compare taxi, walking, bicycles, scooters, and hotel shuttles first.
Transport tips
- π§Ύ Confirm the fare before loading luggage, especially when there is no visible meter or posted rate.
- π Save the exact hotel pin offline; airport drivers may know districts better than street names.
- π΅ Carry small local cash for the first transfer, baggage carts, snacks, or phone calls.
- π Install an eSIM before departure so you can message your driver immediately after landing.
Public transport and metro
Key West has no airport metro. Use taxi, rideshare, local bus, shuttle, rental car, hotel pickup, bicycle, or walking once in Old Town.
Where public transport exists, it is usually best for daylight arrivals with light luggage. For late flights, family travel, heavy bags, or first-time visits, a taxi, hotel transfer, or pre-booked private driver is usually worth the extra cost.
Taxi prices and transfer strategy
Taxi prices around airports are rarely as neat as an official table. Time of day, luggage, driver availability, fuel prices, and whether the destination is inside or outside the central city all matter. The ranges above are realistic planning budgets, but the best practice is simple: agree the fare before moving, keep your phone map open, and avoid changing money with random drivers.
For smoother arrival logistics:
- π Use official taxi ranks or a hotel-arranged driver where available.
- π§³ Pre-book a transfer if you land late, carry equipment, or travel with children.
- π Compare rental cars before arrival with DiscoverCars if you need regional freedom.
- π¨ Use Expedia to check hotels near the airport and in the city before choosing a transfer.
Airport facilities, shops, and restaurants
- Compact terminal with airline counters, TSA, baggage claim, taxis/rideshare, rental cars, shuttles, food/drink, shops, parking, and island-traveler basics.
- The airport can feel crowded during peak winter departure banks because the terminal is small.
- Food and retail are convenient, but Key West itself has far better dining.
- Hurricane season, winter peak demand, and runway/aircraft limits affect fares and schedules.
The smart rule at EYW is to treat the terminal as a transfer point rather than as a shopping destination. Eat before arriving when possible, keep a refillable bottle where security rules allow, and bring a small power bank. If you have a long delay, an airport-area hotel or city hotel is usually more comfortable than waiting in the terminal.
Airlines and where the airport flies
FlightConnections lists 23 domestic destinations from EYW in June 2026, and official airline pages show American nonstops to Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, New York LaGuardia, and Washington Reagan, with Allegiant launching Columbus/Rickenbacker service from May 21, 2026. Other seasonal routes include Atlanta, Newark, Orlando, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Indianapolis, New Haven, Raleigh/Durham, and more depending on airline.
American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit, Allegiant, Breeze, Avelo, and seasonal carriers may appear by date. American is especially important for hub access, while Allegiant, Breeze, Avelo, and other low-cost airlines drive seasonal nonstops.
Cheap routes to check first
- Key West to Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, or Washington: core hub searches.
- Key West to Tampa, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Knoxville, New Haven, or Columbus/Rickenbacker: seasonal leisure searches.
- EYW versus MIA/FLL plus shuttle: compare total time, car/shuttle cost, and Keys hotel timing.
Cheap airport strategy is different from simply sorting by lowest fare. Always compare the final cost after checked baggage, seat selection, payment fees, transfer costs, and missed-connection risk. A slightly more expensive flight into the correct airport can be cheaper than a low base fare that forces a long taxi ride or overnight hotel.
Where to buy flights and hotels
Start with broad searches, then verify the exact airport code before paying. This is especially important in cities with more than one airport or with airport transitions.
| Need | Recommended booking link | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Internet on arrival | π Yesim eSIM | Install before flying so maps, airline apps, WhatsApp, and hotel messages work as soon as you land. |
| Flights and hotels | π¨ Expedia flights and stays | Useful for comparing nearby hotels, airport overnights, and onward tickets in one search. |
| Tours and transfers | ποΈ Viator tours and airport transfers | Best for guided city tours, day trips, private arrival transfers, and skip-the-line activities. |
| Rental cars | π DiscoverCars | Compare local and international rental agencies before accepting a walk-up airport rate. |
| Travel medical insurance | π‘οΈ SafetyWing | Check coverage, exclusions, and country wording before travel, especially on complex itineraries. |
| Support this airport-guide project | π€ Patreon: HEDONISMcloud | Helps keep airport guides updated with fares, route changes, and city transport notes. |
eSIM, internet, insurance, and car rental
- π Internet: install Yesim eSIM before the flight. Airport Wi-Fi can be slow, blocked by SMS verification, or unavailable exactly when you need maps.
- π‘οΈ Insurance: compare policy wording with SafetyWing. Read exclusions for the destination, adventure activities, medical evacuation, political/security events, and pre-existing conditions.
- π Cars: compare vehicles on DiscoverCars before arrival. Airport counters can run out of automatic cars or quote higher walk-up rates.
- ποΈ Tours: use Viator for airport transfers, city tours, day trips, and guided experiences when independent transport is inconvenient.
Practical arrival checklist
| Before you fly | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Check the IATA code on the ticket | Prevents booking a hotel or transfer for the wrong airport. |
| Save airline, hotel, and driver contacts offline | Messaging apps may not work until data is active. |
| Carry local cash | Useful for taxis, snacks, and small airport expenses. |
| Recheck live departures | Regional schedules can change more quickly than major-hub schedules. |
| Keep insurance documents accessible | Helps at medical facilities and during airline disruption. |
Safety and travel notes
For U.S. airport travel in 2026, check TSA identification rules before departure because REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. Bring a REAL ID-compliant license or another TSA-accepted document, watch local weather, and leave extra time for security peaks, rental-car shuttles, and rideshare pickup walks. Key West travel needs hurricane-season awareness, heat planning, scooter/bicycle caution, and careful parking decisions. Do not drink and drive or ride.
The most reliable traveler is the boringly prepared traveler: documents printed, data working, transport confirmed, hotel address saved, and enough time between every moving part of the itinerary.
Short airport excursion idea
If you have a long layover or an overnight stop, choose one simple plan rather than trying to see everything. Stay close to the city center or a known hotel district, keep the return transfer booked, and avoid cutting the return to the airport too close. In smaller airports, a missed flight may mean waiting a day or more for the next practical departure.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Key West International Airport from Key West?
About 2-4 miles from Old Town, Duval Street, and the Historic Seaport, usually 10-20 minutes by road.
How much is a taxi from EYW airport?
Typical taxi planning ranges are shown in the transport table above. The safest method is to confirm the price before loading luggage and to use a hotel-arranged driver when arriving late or visiting for the first time.
Are there restaurants and shops at Key West International Airport?
Yes, but the depth of choice depends on the airport size and operating schedule. Expect practical cafes or snack options at smaller airports and a better range at major hubs. Carry backup snacks and water for delays.
Which airlines should I check first?
American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit, Allegiant, Breeze, Avelo, and seasonal carriers may appear by date. American is especially important for hub access, while Allegiant, Breeze, Avelo, and other low-cost airlines drive seasonal nonstops.
Is there a metro to the airport?
Key West has no airport metro. Use taxi, rideshare, local bus, shuttle, rental car, hotel pickup, bicycle, or walking once in Old Town.
