Key West...
 Getting There

Key West is located on the Southern most tip of the United States.  It is the fifth and furthest of a chain of islands that forms a division between the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Gulf of Mexico to the West. It can be reached by car, boat, bus and air. The first land-based transportation to Key West was by train but the rail line has long been discontinued in favor of America's preferred transport, the automobile. The Keys are linked to the Florida peninsula by U.S. Route 1, the Overseas Highway and much of the drive is over water. It is a two lane road so the going can be rather slow if the traffic is heavy and with no other major roads to monitor you can be sure of encountering many speed traps along the way.

Visitors can fly in to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and reach Key West in about 4 to 5 hours by car or bus, depending upon traffic and starting point (Miami is closer).  There is also an airport in Key West and a smaller airport in Marathon, but this is not always the most cost effective option since it requires an additional connection in one of Florida’s major airports.  However, if traveling from a distant starting point the additional cost may be worth eliminating the rather long drive if you are able to keep your connection times short.

Many cruise ships make Key West a day stop, and several can be seen docked along the piers on any given day.

When driving to Key West, the Florida Everglades are directly to the West and a number of worthwhile diversions are possible.