Your Guide to a Budget-Friendly Key West Vacation

Key West is one of the top travel destinations in the United States. With its exquisite white sand beaches, endless activities, and rich history, it’s no wonder why. Planning a vacation to Key West, but worried about your budget? You’ve come to the right place. Going on vacation to Key West doesn’t mean you have to break the bank!

Let’s explore the top ways to save money when visiting Key West. Here’s the ultimate guide to a budget-friendly vacation in Key West!

Proactivity is Key

We always find that the key to sticking to a budget is planning out your vacation ahead of time, and  then following the plan of course. You’ll want to book any flights, transportation, activities, and accommodations well in advance. The last thing you want is to fall victim to price-gouged flights or way overpriced last-minute activities! You can also do your research to see what some budget-friendly activities are, and when may be the best time to visit (though we cover some of that in this blog for you).

Budget-Friendly Time to Visit

One of the top ways to save a few bucks is choosing when to visit Key West. Visiting Key West during off-peak seasons can significantly cut costs.

The months of September to November and April to early June tend to have fewer tourists, which means lower prices on accommodations and activities. Plus, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. Spending time on the top beaches in Key West with only a few people around and the calm ocean waves to take away your every worry—okay, sign us up!

Affordable Flights

Finding an affordable flight is step one to an affordable Key West vacation! If you can find a cheap flight, the rest of your budget-friendly vacation in Key West will fall right into place.

Airfare sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak can help you find the best deals. Setting up fare alerts can also notify you when prices drop so you can get the best deal possible!

Flying in the middle of the week usually makes for a cheaper flight than flying on the weekends, and it’s also worth looking into alternative routes for flights if you’re really looking to save some coin. If you don’t mind a layover, oftentimes these flights with 1-2 stops will be much cheaper than flying direct. You might also consider checking flights within 1-2 days of your desired departure. This flexibility can make a huge difference in prices!

How to Eat on a Budget in Key West?

Going out to eat is the quickest way to watch your money disappear! You can spend hundreds of dollars without even realizing it.

We have two solutions for eating on a budget: making your own meals at home, and visiting cheaper restaurants for some meals! Of course, you should definitely splurge on a meal or two while you’re on vacation, but if you’re going to exorbitant restaurants multiple times during a week long trip, you’ll be sad when you check your credit card statements.

Here are some of our favorite budget-friendly places to eat in Key West—they also happen to be quite delicious!

Pepe’s Key West

Our mouths are watering just thinking about these delicious dining options. And the best part is, that you won’t feel like you overspent at all! This is the “oldest eating house in the Keys,” and they have great prices! They also often have great deals going on to check out. Don’t miss out on Pepe’s!

El Siboney

We wrote about this Key West favorite in our Best Restaurants in Key West Blog! Enjoy authentic Cuban fare at budget-friendly prices at this family-friendly restaurant. The whole family will love it!

5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop

A local favorite! Check out this hidden gem with the best Cafe con Leche and Cuban Mix sandwiches in the Florida Keys.

Transportation on a Budget

Ubers are another cost that begins to add up over time. Consider renting bikes to get around during your vacation or walking when you can! It’s a great opportunity to get in some steps, and Key West is a very pedestrian-friendly city.

Going on a day trip and need a car? Renting a car is often the most convenient option, and booking in advance can help secure the best rates. Companies like Turo offer peer-to-peer car rentals, which can be cheaper than traditional rental agencies.

Activities on a Budget

Firstly, we recommend checking out Trip Advisor or Groupon for discounts before you book any activities. You’d be surprised at the number of coupons that exist out there!

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t do anything fun. There are a ton of no or low-cost activities to explore in Key West. Let’s check out a couple!

Fort Zachary Taylor

Take some time to learn about Key West's history and relax on the beach, all in the same place! Take your family along to hike some scenic trails, go snorkeling, and learn about the Civil War.

Key West Nightly Sunset Celebration

Key West is famous for its gorgeous sunsets. Join the local Key West community on Mallory Square and enjoy live music, stunt performers, comedy shows, and local vendors!

Book Your Budget-Friendly Key West Vacation with Dwell Key West!

Now that you know our best money-saving tips & tricks, it’s time to book your Key West Vacation! Our boutique accommodations provide top-of-the-line vacation amenities for travelers just like you.

Whether you’re looking to make a splash in a boutique with access to a pool or would like a rental with a full kitchen so you can cook your own meals, Dwell has a variety of amenities to meet your vacation rental needs. Let us help you! Browse our available boutique rentals now and book your budget-friendly vacation to Key West directly with Dwell Key West!