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Transportation
to and around Key West
Key
West is not a huge city and the Old Town area,
where most visitors spend their time, is a large
part of it, so it is quite easy to get around.
Duval Street, often called the longest street
in the world (because it starts at the Atlantic
Ocean and ends at the Gulf of Mexico) is only
about a mile long. A walking tour of Old Town
is a very pleasant and interesting thing to do,
so people who like walking will not be displeased.
Unless
you plan to stay in the newer areas of town,
where the hotels and stores have their own parking
lots, keeping a car in Key West may be more of
a hindrance than a help. Many hotels and guesthouses
in the Old Town area do not have off street parking
so, when you make your reservations, ask about
it.
Metered
spaces are available downtown for $1 an hour.
At 300 Grinnell Street you will find a Park and
Ride garage. Parking is relatively inexpensive
and you can ride a regularly operating shuttle
to your destination. In addition, there are several
privately owned parking lots all around the area,
and the cost varies.
Key
West also has several unmetered parking spaces
outside the main commercial area. But be aware
that about half of the spaces are marked “residential
parking” and if your car doesn’t
have Monroe County plates or a residential sticker
issued by the City, you will be ticketed there.
Taxi
service is available citywide and Charter Limo
service is also easy to obtain.
About
15% of Key West’s natives use bicycles
to get around town. The island is pretty small
and doesn’t have any hills. Some guesthouses
and hotels provide bike rentals to their guests
and rental shops are plentiful. Bicycle paths
are becoming more prevalent, and where they are
not available, you are permitted to use the sidewalk.
But, remember, pedestrians always have the right
of way and riders need to follow all traffic
laws as if they were driving a car. You will
be ticketed for running a red light or stop sign,
or for riding at night without a light on your
bike.
And,
of course, where there is an island, there are
mopeds and scooters, and Key West is no exception.
Many times you will be able to rent them from
the same shops that rent bicycles. But, please
be careful. Ambulances respond to around 300
moped accidents each year and tourists are involved
in about three-quarters of them; many of which
are alcohol related. Most of the accidents are
not serious, but some involve concussions, skull
fractures, and brain hemorrhages. You must be
at least eighteen years old and a licensed driver
with a credit card in order to rent a moped or
scooter. Helmets are available upon request.
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Biking in Old Town
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Conch Tour Train
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Bone Island Shuttle
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Catamaran
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