Miami to Key West Day Trip: Scenic Overseas Highway Tour

A full day on the Overseas Highway, plus hours to wander Key West

A roundtrip day trip from Miami to Key West by coach, with hotel pickup from select locations, bilingual guide, and a 15-hour itinerary that includes the scenic Overseas Highway, brief stops at Seven Mile Bridge and Key Largo, and several hours of free time in Key West to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, walk Duval Street, or relax on the beaches. You choose roundtrip or one-way at checkout. The coach is air-conditioned and equipped with an onboard restroom.

Step-by-step itinerary

Miami to Key West day trip

• Hotel pick-up in Miami
• Relax on air-conditioned bus
• Stop for quick breakfast
• Drive along Overseas Highway
• View Seven Mile Bridge and Key Largo
• Explore Key West attractions
• Visit Ernest Hemingway Home
• Relax on Key West beaches
• Enjoy local cuisine and shopping
• Experience Duval Street atmosphere
• Return to Miami by bus

The Experience

The bus leaves from select Miami hotels and heads south on the Overseas Highway, the only road to Key West. The drive itself is the first attraction—you'll cross the Seven Mile Bridge and pass through the Florida Keys, with ocean on both sides and a chance to see the islands up close. A stop at Key Largo breaks up the journey before you reach Key West itself, roughly three hours after departure.

Once in Key West, you have several hours to spend however you want. Some travelers head straight to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to see the famous six-toed cats and walk the grounds where the writer lived. Others spend the afternoon on the beaches, exploring the shops and galleries along Duval Street, or sitting down at one of the local restaurants. The pace is entirely yours—there's no group activity or timed stops once you arrive.

The coach is fully air-conditioned and has a restroom on board, which matters on a 15-hour day. A bilingual guide leads the tour in English and Spanish. You can arrange pickup from your hotel at checkout, or meet the bus at a central location if that works better. The return journey follows the same route back to Miami.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned coach with onboard restroom.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• hotel pickup from select Miami locations (or central meeting point).
• scenic stops at Seven Mile Bridge and Key Largo.
• several hours of free time in Key West to explore on your own.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Key West Sightseeing Tours INC

Is this one for you?Choose the roundtrip option if you're staying in Miami and want to return the same day; pick one-way if you're spending the night in Key West or have your own way back. The long coach ride is the trade-off for not driving yourself, but the Overseas Highway views and the guide's commentary make it part of the experience rather than just transit time.

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Top questions

What is the Seven Mile Bridge and why do we stop there?

The Seven Mile Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in Florida, spanning the waters between the Keys on the Overseas Highway. The tour makes a brief stop so you can see it and take photos of the ocean views from the bridge itself.

How much free time do I actually get in Key West?

You have several hours to explore Key West on your own once the bus arrives. The exact length depends on the departure time and return schedule, but it's enough time to visit a museum, walk the main streets, eat lunch, and relax without feeling rushed.

Can I book just a one-way ticket to Key West instead of roundtrip?

Yes—at checkout you can choose between a roundtrip ticket back to Miami or a one-way ticket if you're staying in Key West or arranging your own return.

Is breakfast included, or do I need to eat before the tour starts?

The tour description mentions a breakfast stop en route, but you'll want to bring money or have a card ready to purchase food there. Breakfast is not included in the ticket price.

What's the difference between the Overseas Highway and a regular drive to Key West?

The Overseas Highway is the only road to Key West and runs across the Florida Keys, with the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico visible throughout the drive. It's known for the water views and the engineering of the bridges connecting the islands—it's a scenic route, not just a way to get there.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel pickup, or is it automatic?

Hotel pickup is available from select Miami hotels and is optional—you choose it at checkout. If your hotel isn't on the pickup list or you prefer to meet the bus elsewhere, you can arrange a central meeting point instead.