Key West Transportation Tips by 850prc Top 5 Page for this destination

The Conch Train Town Tours Review

If you've been reading all of my tips, you probably know that Key West is an easily walkable town. But if for some reason you'd prefer to do a trolley tour, The Conch Train appears to be a dependable and viable option. We did NOT do this tour, preferring the pedestrian route. But, as the Conch Tour Train has been in operation in Key West since 1958, they must be doing something right for the tourists. :)

The cost per adult is $25, which can be discounted 10% if you buy tickets ahead of time online. (See website below)

The Conch Train is a little "Disney Shuttle type" vehicle that makes a slow circle all around Key West, showing you the various sights. Among the places advertised that you'll see are the Aquarium, The ShipwrecK Historeum, Flagler Station, The Hemingway House, Sloppy Joe's Bar, Mallory Square, The Truman Little White House, Schooner Western Union and the Key West Handprints Fabrics place. They also say "much more". DO note that it says "see", not "visit".

The tours depart every thirty minutes from Mallory Square, starting at 9 am daily. The last tour departs at 4:30 pm. The whole shebang will run about 90 minutes. So, if you're into doing sunset at Mallory Square, hop on the last train at 4:30 and slide back into Mallory Square just in time for sunset...on daylight savings time anyway.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: 305.294.5161 or 800.868.7482

Type: Other

Website: http://www.conchtourtrain.com

The Key West Airport Fly To Review

I suppose from a strict functionality standpoint, the Key West International Airport gets the job done. Planes land, they offload luggage, you can get a rental car or a taxi.

The problem with the local airport is that it's soooooo laid-back. People only seem to hang around and work when there is an immediate need to do so, as in a plane just landed. At other times, the airline and rental car counters are lonelier than a strip club in rural Utah.

My insight for the Key West airport is as follows: FIND someone immediately if you have any need or problem to solve. And, do not let them out of your sight. If you do, it may be hours, or even the next day before you find another living, breathing person within reach. I'm not kidding, folks. I used to think that our home airport up in Tallahassee was small potatoes. But the Key West airport makes Tallahassee look like Heathrow.

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Website: http://www.keywestinternationalairport.com

Seeing pink elephants? Call a pink taxi. Taxis Review

Unless you are coming in from the airport, or are poo-face drunk, you really shouldn't need a taxicab in and around Key West. It's such a small place, walking almost anywhere is no hassle.

However, if you do find yourself in serious need of a lift, there are plenty of taxis available in the area. In true south Florida spirit, quite a few of them are painted "la-te-da-club" pink.

I understand that the cabs can be fairly expensive, as the distances they can carry people aren't far enough to earn any serious money. So, I think there are zones and all sorts of surcharges to be dealt with. (Maybe they should initiate an "overweight person in a very small bathing suit and completely drunk to boot" surcharge. ;)

Any drinking establishment can summon a pink chariot if you need one.

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Type: Other

Cheap on gas, tough on your ass Scooters Review

Another nifty way of both getting around Key West AND determining if you've had to much to drink would be riding on a scooter. You can rent these little gizmos darned near anywhere, usually for about $29 a day, maybe less. They get something like 80 miles to the over-priced gallon, and are perfect for the cramped and in many cases non-existent Key West parking.

We didn't do the scooters, but I was talking to another couple who had. These were middle aged folks, like me. They said that riding them was a blast, but that sitting on them for extended periods of time could be "painful". It could be one of those "you're not as young as you feel" things. If you're getting a scooter to save money, great idea. If you're riding one to feel young, I'd suggest a convertible instead.

Just as a contact number, I'm listing "Barracuda Scooters" below. But again, you can find 'em all over the place.

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Phone: 305.296.8007(Barracuda Scooters)

Type: Motorcycle

Bikes are a good plan during the day Bicycles Review

There are numerous spots to rent bicycles in the Key West area, and if you're so inclined, they're a great way to get around. I believe that most places charge something like $12 a day, maybe less.

One comment on bike riding, though... I'd limit my riding to daylight hours. After dark, the traffic picks up and the median community blood alcohol level increases dramatically, too. Unless you'd like to pay a permanent visit to the Key West cemetary, I'd trade my bike for walking shoes come nightfall.

One other comment...if you do rent a bike, be sure to secure it wherever you're staying or where you leave it. I understand that bikes have a real habit of riding off by themselves sometimes. <g>

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bicycle

Go topless Car Rental Review

OK, if you're here because you Googled "Go Topless", you are now busted. (pun intended) I'm talking about convertibles. If/when you rent a car in Key West, I absolutely suggest that you book ahead and get yourself a convertible. This is the perfect town to cruise around topless, talking to the folks along the street.

And if you get a chance, you might want to motor up the Keys toward mainland Florida along US 1 with the top down, too. It's all part of the lifestyle.

Most of the rental companies have convertible options in Key West...usually you'll get a Chrysler Sebring or PT Cruiser convertible model. There are some BMWs and such, too. But, as you'd guess, they are popular. Book ahead of time, and you'll be paying about $15 a day more. But again, it's Key West. This is no place to be riding around in a hard-top Impala, folks.

Drop the top and let 'er rip!

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Type: Car/Motor Home

Save the planet, but not your money Tiny Cars Review

When we first got into Key West, we noticed these nifty looking little electric cars zipping around town. Wow, we thought...we can be environmentally responsible, they'll be easier to park and we can also zip around like true Florida tourists. The advertisements say "easy, safe and fun".

And then, I investigated more closely. How does about $50 for 12 hours sound? Yea, sounded like a damned rip-off to me, too.

I know, I know, we wouldn't have to pay for gasoline, which is very expensive in the Keys. But noting that these carts are not air-conditioned and are incapable of going fast enough to really cool you with a breeze sealed the deal. We chose a Chrysler convertible for $60 a day.

But for any of you who'd wish to consider these children of a dune buggy-golf cart honeymoon, I'm including contact information below. They come in a 2 and 4 passenger size. Oh, and one other thing...it sometimes rains in Key West, and it can rain pretty hard too. Do these carts look like something you'd like to be caught in a rainstorm driving? Again, we chose the Chrysler. <g>

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Type: Other

Website: http://www.reefmobile.com