Key West Taxi, Rideshare, and Public Transit Guide

Key West is so walkable that many visitors barely think about transportation, until they land at the airport with luggage, need a ride home after a night on Duval, or want to reach somewhere across the island in the heat. That’s when knowing your options pays off. The catch is that Key West’s transit landscape has changed recently (the beloved free Duval Loop bus is gone for now), and most online guides are out of date. This guide gives you the accurate, current picture of taxis, rideshare, public transit, and airport transfers, so you always know how to get from A to B.

This is the practical “how do I get a ride” companion to our getting around guide (which covers bikes, scooters, and golf carts), our parking guide, and the getting to Key West pillar. A standing note: transit details are in flux, so confirm current fares and status with the City of Key West before you rely on them.

§ 02

Do You Even Need a Car in Key West?

For most visitors staying in Old Town, no. The island is two miles by four, flat, and easy to walk, and between rideshare, taxis, and the on-demand shuttle, you can reach anything you can’t comfortably walk to. A car mostly creates parking problems (covered in our parking guide). Where a car or planned transportation really matters is the airport run, late nights, trips to the far ends of the island, and excursions up the Keys, all of which this guide handles. Think of transportation here less as “renting a car” and more as “knowing which ride to call when.”

§ 03

Getting from the Airport (EYW) to Old Town

Key West International Airport (EYW) sits about three miles east of Old Town on South Roosevelt Boulevard, an easy 8-to-10-minute drive. Your options on arrival:

• Taxi: roughly $15–$21 total to Old Town, using set per-person zone fares (about $7–$9 per person depending on your destination). The taxi line is just outside baggage claim.
• Uber / Lyft: often comparable or cheaper off-peak; pickup is at the designated rideshare curb to the right of baggage claim.
• Hotel shuttles: several Key West hotels offer free airport shuttles for guests, ask when you book.
• Rental car: on-site desks, but only worth it if you’re leaving the island, since Old Town parking is scarce and pricey.

For most travelers headed to an Old Town hotel, a taxi or rideshare is the simplest choice. See our dedicated Key West airport guide for terminal details.

§ 04

Taxis in Key West

Key West has a handful of local cab companies (names like Friendly Cab, Maxi-Taxi, and 5-6’s Taxi come up often), and they’re a dependable way to get around, especially for visitors who don’t use rideshare apps. From the airport, fares are zone-based per person rather than metered, which keeps group trips affordable. For single passengers within town, taxis run on a meter (a flag-drop plus a per-mile rate). Because the island is so small, most in-town taxi rides are short and inexpensive. You can call a company directly or grab one from the stands near the airport and the cruise port. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available at the airport at no extra charge.

§ 05

Uber and Lyft in Key West

Yes, both Uber and Lyft operate in Key West, and they work just like they do anywhere else, request a ride in the app and a driver comes. Because the island is tiny, rides are typically short and cheap, and they’re the go-to for door-to-door convenience and safe late-night trips home from the bars. Two things to know: the pool of drivers on the island is limited, so wait times can be longer than on the mainland, and surge pricing kicks in hard at predictable peaks, sunset, event nights, holidays, and especially around bar-closing time (midnight to 2 a.m.). Plan for that, and rideshare is a reliable friend, especially when you’ve been enjoying the nightlife and shouldn’t drive.

§ 06

Key West Public Transit: The City Bus System

Key West Transit, run by the city, operates the island’s public buses. As of 2026, standard city bus routes cost about $2 one-way (with reduced fares for seniors and others, and free rides for senior city residents with ID), and you can buy day or multi-day passes. You pay cash or through the Token Transit app, and you can track buses in real time online. The buses are ADA-accessible. For visitors, the city routes are useful mainly for reaching New Town, the airport, or the far ends of the island; for getting around compact Old Town, walking or the on-demand shuttle is usually quicker.

§ 07

Key West Rides: The On-Demand Shuttle

Here’s the most important update, and the thing nearly every other guide gets wrong. The city now runs Key West Rides, an app-based, on-demand shared shuttle that has become the primary in-town public transit option. It works like a city-operated rideshare: you book through the free Key West Rides app (or by phone), and a van picks you up and may share the trip with others heading your way. It covers Key West and Stock Island for about $2 per trip, paid via the Token Transit app or cash. It’s an excellent budget option for getting across the island, just know that demand can be heavy and wait times can run long at peak hours, so it’s better for unhurried trips than tight connections.

§ 08

What Happened to the Free Duval Loop?

For years, the Duval Loop was a free city shuttle that circled Old Town, hitting all the key spots, a budget traveler’s best friend, and you’ll still find it described as “free and running” all over the web. The reality as of 2026: a fare was added in mid-2025, and then the Duval Loop was suspended at the end of that year. The city has called the suspension temporary and is studying a possible return in a future budget year, but for now it is not operating. If you’ve read about the free Duval Loop, set that expectation aside, use Key West Rides or walk instead, and check the City of Key West transit page for the latest status before your trip.

§ 09

Accessible Transportation: Wheelchair Taxis and Paratransit

Key West takes accessibility reasonably seriously. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available at the airport at no extra charge, the city’s transit buses are ADA-accessible, and Key West Transit operates an ADA paratransit service offering door-to-door rides for eligible riders with disabilities (with reduced fares and an eligibility process). If you or someone in your party has mobility needs, it’s worth contacting Key West Transit ahead of your visit to understand the current options and how to register. Rideshare apps also offer accessibility-vehicle options in some cases. Don’t assume you’re stuck, there are more accessible choices here than many visitors realize.

§ 10

Traveling Up the Keys Without a Car

Want to explore beyond Key West without renting a car? It’s possible, if a bit slow. The Lower Keys Shuttle, part of Key West Transit, runs up US-1 to Marathon (around mile marker 53) for about $4 one-way, with stops all along the way. At Marathon, it connects with a Miami-Dade bus route that continues toward Homestead and the mainland, making a fully car-free (if multi-leg) journey between Key West and the Miami area technically doable, plan a full travel day for it. Private shuttle vans also run direct transfers to Miami’s airports for those who want a faster, door-to-door ride. For the bigger picture on reaching the mainland, see our Miami to Key West guide.

§ 11

Getting To and From the Cruise Port

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, good news: most of Key West’s cruise berths put you within a short walk of Old Town, so you often don’t need any paid transportation at all. From the docks at Pier B or Mallory Square, you simply walk into town; from the Navy’s Outer Mole pier, the cruise line provides a shuttle since it crosses restricted property. For passengers who’d rather ride than walk, pedicabs, taxis, and rideshares wait near the docks. Our Key West cruise port guide covers all of this in detail, including what to do with your day ashore.

§ 12

How Much Does Getting Around Cost?

Here’s a quick reference for budgeting your rides.

All fares are current as of 2026 and subject to change, confirm with the operator.

§ 13

Smart Tips for Getting Around

A few pointers to keep your trips smooth. Avoid rideshare at peak surge times if you can, walk a few blocks away from the busiest area to find a cheaper pickup, or wait out the post-sunset rush. Download the apps you’ll need in advance, Uber or Lyft, Key West Rides, and Token Transit, so you’re not fumbling on arrival. Carry a little cash for taxis and pedicabs. And above all, verify the current transit status before counting on the bus or shuttle, since Key West’s public transportation is genuinely in transition right now. A bit of prep means you’ll always have a way to get where you’re going. For broader planning, see our Key West travel tips.

§ 14

Sample Routes: Common Trips Made Easy

To put it all together, here is how a few typical trips actually work. Airport to your Old Town hotel: grab a taxi or Uber from the curb (about $15 to $21, under 10 minutes), or use your hotel shuttle if offered. Hotel to dinner on Duval: almost always a short, pleasant walk, this is Old Town, after all. Late night home from the bars: call an Uber or Lyft (expect surge pricing around bar-close, so build it into your budget), or grab a pedicab for a short hop, never drive after drinking. Across the island to a far beach or New Town: the Key West Rides shuttle (about $2) or a rideshare; a city bus also works if your timing lines up. A car-free day trip up the Keys: the Lower Keys Shuttle to Marathon (about $4), connecting onward toward the mainland, plan a full travel day. Cruise ship to the sights: just walk, or take the free shuttle from the Outer Mole pier. The pattern is clear: walk what you can, rideshare for door-to-door and late nights, and use the on-demand shuttle to stretch your budget. With the right apps downloaded before you arrive, you will never be stuck wondering how to get where you are going.

§ 15

Download These Apps Before You Arrive

A little prep on your phone goes a long way here. Before you land, download Uber and Lyft for door-to-door rides, the Key West Rides app for the on-demand city shuttle, and Token Transit for paying bus and shuttle fares. If you are driving, add the Passport (Park Key West) parking app from our parking guide. Having these ready means you are never standing on a curb fumbling to set up an account while your group waits. It is also worth saving a local taxi company’s number in your phone as a backup for the rare moments when rideshare supply is thin (think 1 a.m. on a busy weekend). Five minutes of setup before your trip translates into effortless rides the whole time you are on the island.

§ 16

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Getting around Key West is rarely a problem, as long as you know the current lay of the land. Walk what you can, call an Uber or grab a taxi for the airport and late nights, use the Key West Rides shuttle to cross the island on a budget, and remember that the old free Duval Loop has paused. With the right app downloaded and a little cash in your pocket, you’ll never be stranded on this friendly little island. For the rental-and-bike options and the parking picture, see our getting around and parking guides.