Airports close to the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys has 3 major airports located close to the archipelago. Key West is the closest and easiest airport as it is on the island of Key West, the last in the chain. This means that by flying into this airport you can have a transfer time of under 20 minutes to the downtown of the island. The airport is serviced by domestic carriers only, so you can easily connect via one of their hubs onto a wider route map. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are within a 4-hour drive of the islands, meaning it isn't as quick to be transferred as like Key West. However, both airports offer a wider route network with more direct services and a greater level of airlines. Major domestic and international carriers operate to both airports making them attractive alternatives.
Key West International Airport
Key West International Airport is the closest airport to the Florida Keys as it is located on the island of Key West, the island at the end of the archipelago chain. This means that the airport is only about 15 minutes straight to downtown Key West, meaning rapid transfer times so you can start your holiday sooner. The airport has multiple domestic carriers that fly into it, however, no international carriers operate to the airport. Some destinations from the airport include New York, Indiana, Cincinnati, Orlando, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and more. The airport doesn't offer any public transport meaning that you will either have to take a taxi or use one of the car rental companies to get around the islands from the airport.
Distance to Florida Keys: 15 minutes approx
✈ Domestic airlines: Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta, Delta Connection, JetBlue, Silver Airways, United Express
Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport is about 3.5 hours drive from Key West Island. Although further, the airport boasts an extensive route map and a wide range of airlines to choose from. You can easily fly from destinations such as Moscow, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Madrid, Paris, Atlanta, Belize City, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, London, New York, Bogota, Montevideo, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Helsinki, Aruba, Rome, Istanbul and more. The airport has an extensive ground transportation network serving it, making it easier for your onwards journey. The airport has a metro service, train line and bus service to help ferry passengers from the airport around Miami. There is a Greyhound bus service that also directly shuttles you from the airport to the Floria Keys, making this an attractive option. The airport also boasts multiple car hire facilities if this is an option you would prefer.
Distance to the Florida Keys: 160 Miles (Approx 3.5 hours)
✈ Domestic airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta, Delta Connection, Eastern Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, JSX, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, United Express
✈ International airlines: Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Europa, Air France, Air Transat, Avianca, Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca El Salvador, Bahamasair, Boliviana de Aviación, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, El Al, Emirates, Finnair, Gol Transportes Aéreos, Iberia, ITA Airways, KLM, LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile, LATAM Perú, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Scandinavian Airlines, Sunwing Airlines, Surinam Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Viva Air Colombia, Volaris and WestJet
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport
A third option that may be interesting for you is Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International. This airport is located just under 4 hours from the Florida Keys, making it another attractive option. The airline has multiple domestic and international airlines which service it meaning you can directly fly to Toronto, Quebec, Los Angeles, Seattle, Indianapolis, Chicago, Boston, Bogota, Nassau, San Francisco, Guatemala City and more. The airport has a public bus service which gets you into downtown Fort Lauderdale as well as many car hire and taxi facilities. There is no direct bus service to the Florida Keys from the airport so you would need to head downtown and change busses or hire a car or taxi.
Distance to the Florida Keys: 189 Miles (Approx 4 hours)
✈ Domestic airlines: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta, IBC Airways, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, United Express
✈ International airlines: Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, Avianca, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Bahamasair, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, Flair Airlines, WestJet
Key West airport offers the best option for quick transfer times, however, their route map is very small with only a handful of domestic carriers and no international routes meaning you would have to connect via an airlines hub. Miami International could be a great option for you as it is 3.5 hours away with excellent public and private transport links as well as a diverse airline and route portfolio. Fort Lauderdale offers more domestic and international services than Key West but is the furthest option. Use our flight search tool to find out which option may be best for you!