Is There a Ferry from Tampa to Key West? How to take a Ferry to Key West
⛴ 🌴 Looking for a ferry from Tampa to Key West?
Turns out, you’re not alone. And while we hate to be the bearer of bad news (there’s good news though!), Tampa, unfortunately, does not have a direct ferry to Key West.
Okay, but let’s get to the good news. The good news is that, just south of Tampa, about a 2.5 hour drive south, there is a ferry that heads to Key West!
Yes, that’s right. The ferry departs from Fort Myers, FL and goes all the way to Key West! So before you figure you have a long road trip ahead of you, read on for how you can take the ferry from Fort Myers.
✅Don’t have time to read the full article? I recommend renting a car from Tampa to Fort Myers 🚗 and staying here the night before the ferry 🚢
Is there a Ferry from Tampa to Key West? 🚢
Unfortunately, no. There is not a ferry from Tampa to Key West. However, there is a ferry from Fort Myers to Key West, that’s south of Tampa.
The drive from Tampa to Fort Myers is about 2.5 hours. Which seems like a heck of a lot, right? But just remember that if you drove from Tampa to Key West, it would take you close to 7.5 hours!
How to get from Tampa to Key West? ✈️
Hey, if you’re a major road tripper, a road trip from Tampa to Key West might not be all that bad. But, if you’re not really up for that long of a drive, how do you get from Tampa to Key West?
Personally, I recommend that you drive to Fort Myers and take the Express ferry to Key West. It’s just an overall easier way to travel than to drive to Key West there and back (15 hours!).
The Key West Express Ferry departs at 8am but requires passengers to be onboard before 7:30am. Overall, the trip is around 3.5 hours from port to port. Prices range from $85 for children to $185 for adults.
Getting from Tampa to Fort Myers
I recommend renting a car and making the drive from Tampa to Fort Myers a day or two before the ferry you want to take to Key West. Why? Well, the ferry starts boarding rather early (7am).
🚗 I highly recommend Discover Cars for affordable rental cars and lots of availability!
So unless you’re ready to pull an all-nighter to get up and drive down to Fort Myers before the ferry in the morning, that probably isn’t the best option.
Driving to Fort Myers from Tampa isn’t all that hard either, depending on where you are starting from in Tampa. You’ll take I-75 S for most of the way there. Note, it’ll depend on where you’re headed in Fort Myers (hotel vs. ferry port) for what exit you’ll need to get off.
What is the Easiest Way to Get to Key West?
The easiest way to get from Tampa to Key West is to fly directly into Key West International Airport. It’s about an hour’s flight. Pretty speedy right?
Depending on the time of year and the airline you choose to fly, flying can become expensive pretty quickly. Especially the larger that your group is. Plus, you’ll have to find transportation to and from the airports, which is another feat and expense.
So, aside from flying into Key West, the Express Ferry is definitely the second easiest way to get to Key West. It’s also the least stressful since all you have to do is board and enjoy the ride from there.
What to Expect on the Key West Express Ferry
While traveling on the Key West Express Ferry, once you’ve boarded you can kick back and relax. The ferry is air conditioned inside and offers couches, tables and even reclining seats are available! (For those early morning naps)
There’s a full service galley and bar onboard, and plenty of TVs to stay entertained. Plus, for those who want to be outside, there is plenty of space on the exterior sun decks of the ferry to enjoy.
There isn’t any WiFi on board, so you might need to plan for that. They also encourage visitors to bring cash for on-board purchases. The ferry is also pet-friendly, with the caveat that there is an additional fee for bringing one onboard!
Is a Day Trip to Key West Worth It?
This question ultimately depends on where you’re starting from and what you’ll end up exploring once in Key West. It also depends on how you get to Key West transportation wise.
Overall, I don’t recommend taking a day trip to Key West from Tampa or Fort Myers.
While it could be a great option for someone who is only in town for a short period of time and is really wanting to cross Key West off their bucket list, it’s just not a lot of time to explore.
Let’s say you took the ferry – first you’ll need to get to Fort Myers which is about 2.5 hours. Then, the ferry will leave at 8am and take about 3.5 hours, so you’ll get there around 11:30am. That means you’ll probably get to where you’re going around noon and start exploring around then.
The ferry starts boarding again at 5pm, which means you might have around 3-4 hours before you have to start boarding the ferry for a return trip. Not a lot of time, and it’ll definitely be rushed.
🦀 ⛵️ While in Key West, take this famous glass bottom boat tour to see fish, sharks, and much more!! 🐠
Best Places to Stay near Fort Myers
If you’re looking to stay in Fort Myers the night before you take the ferry, here are some hotels nearby I recommend.
First, stay near Fort Myers beach, not the downtown area. While you can stay near downtown, I recommend staying closer to the beach where the Ferry heads out.
⛱ Latitude 26 Waterfront Boutique Resort is a great hotel that is located about a 4 minute drive to the ferry. This is a hidden gem that sits near the marina so you’ll have gorgeous views of the docks and even access to kayaks or bikes if you have the time the day before. Plus free parking!
⛱ Edison Beach House is an all-suite hotel located about 5 minutes from the ferry. It’s located on Fort Myers beach and offers stunning views of the ocean. Parking is included.
FAQ: Ferry to Key West
Hopefully now you know how to get from Tampa to Key West. I’ve added some additional questions and answers if you have any additional questions not cleared up already.
How long is the Ferry from Ft Myers to Key West?
The ferry is about 3.5 hours one way from port to port. This can vary depending on sea conditions and weather conditions.
How far is Tampa from Fort Myers by car?
Tampa is about a 2.5 hour drive to Fort Myers by car. The route is fairly easy as you’ll take I-75 S most of the way to Fort Myers.
Can you take your car on the ferry from Fort Myers to Key West?
Unfortunately, no. The Key West Express ferry is not a car ferry. You can bring a bike, but there are restrictions. The bike cannot be a motorized bike, and there is a fee of $90 round trip to bring onboard.
How much is a boat ride from Fort Myers to Key West?
Prices start at $85 for children ages 4 and younger and $185 for adults 13 to 61 years old. Cost for ages 5-12 is $135. There is a discount price for seniors as well.
How much is it to park at the Key West Express in Fort Myers?
Parking is about $13 per day. Here is a link to the Key West Express Parking Lot.
Can you do the Key West Express in one day?
You can if that’s something you’re interested in. The ferry leaves at 8am and should be in Key West around 11:30am. However, you will need to start boarding from Key West at 5pm for a departure of 6pm. That’s not a lot of time to explore, so I don’t recommend this.
Where does Key West Express leave from in Fort Myers?
The Key West Express leaves from 1200 Main Street Ft. Myers Beach, Florida 33931. This is on San Carlos Island, a close distance to Fort Myers Beach.
Do you need a car in Key West?
No, you don’t need a car to visit and enjoy Key West. Key West is a pedestrian and bike friendly area. Unless you plan to drive to multiple keys, you’ll be fine without a car.
🚎 Take the hop on hop off trolley in Key West to visit many of the top attractions (without a car)
Parking in Key West can be difficult and expensive, so you don’t want that hassle anyway on vacation.
Wrap-Up: Is there a Ferry from Tampa to Key West?
Unfortunately no, there is not a ferry from Tampa to Key West. However, getting to Key West from Tampa isn’t all that hard. Just a couple extra steps. And it’ll be totally worth it.
It’s a short drive to an express ferry or a quick flight to Key West, so you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a vacation in the clear water Keys in no time. Cheers and enjoy the beauty of Key West! 🌞🌊
