Travel

Flight

Southwest Airlines (SWA)

FOR THE BUDGET TRAVELER Consider flying to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA) to save on travel. If you open the Southwest credit card, you get 80,000 points after you spend $1-3k on the card. Pay your bills with the card for a month, and fly for free roundtrip to Florida using your points! That's right, you can fly for free to our wedding. Sure, you'll have to drive to get to Key West, but the drive to Key West from either of these airports is rated in the Top 3 Most Beautiful Drives in America! Check that one off your bucket list. Plus, from Miami International Airport, it's only 3.5 hours to paradise by car. Want the drive without the rental car? Consider taking the Greyhound Bus at Terminal E at MIA for only $26! **Remember: With Southwest Airlines, you get to check 2 bags for FREE and carry on two items!** **Remember, Remember: With Southwest Airlines, you can take advantage of reduced fares if they become available without penalty!**

Flight

American & United Airlines

FOR THE TRAVELER LOOKING TO "JUST GET THERE!" Looking for a total R&R experience? Looking to splurge a little on your trip? You can fly direct to Key West. From Chicago, the typical airfare is between $300-$600+ roundtrip from O'Hare to Key West nonstop. Sometimes you can find a low fare, so it's worth the check! Use Kayak to compare many airlines and options for your direct flight to Paradise. American Airlines and United Airlines have similar credit card deals as Southwest Airlines if you're trying to fly direct on a budget! **Remember: Unlike Southwest Airlines, most other airlines will charge you for checked bags. Be sure to factor in the cost of baggage when comparing flights.**

Rental Car

Need a lift?

****CAR PRICES ARE ON THE RISE AS OF OCT 31! BOOK NOW!**** Renting a car in Key West is not cheap. Nor is it necessary. You can walk from one end of Duval Street (the main street in Downtown Key West) to the other in only 20 minutes (~1 mile). Or, you can enjoy scooting around on a motor scooter or golf cart for far less than most rental car options. Now, if you are looking to drive into Key West from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, consider grouping up when possible to share rental cars, and don't feel obligated to hang onto the car for the duration of your Key West stay. Because parking is scarce is Key West and almost always at least $20/day, that rental car becomes even more expensive and not truly necessary to enjoy Key West and hit all the main sites you'll want to see on your visit. If a rental car is on your must-have list, consider using the Auto Rentals website through the "View" tab below to compare the main companies' pricing.

Travel Note

Greyhound Bus

If you fly into FLL or MIA, the Greyhound bus to Key West is only $26 one-way or $56 roundtrip! This is a great way to save if you want to go without a rental car, but don't want to fly direct to Key West. Enjoy the beautiful drive without the stress and with WIFI!

House Or Rental

Airbnb & VRBO

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! AIRBNBS ARE CLIMBING FROM MID-$200s/NIGHT TO NORTH OF $300**** There are a TON of Airbnbs and VRBOs in the Florida Keys, most boasting under $200 a night, and a handful in your super budget-friendly range of less than $150 a night. Be sure to check for resort fees, cleaning fees, parking availability, etc. for each of these, but whether you're on a budget or just trying to get the most for your money, you can find yourself right on the beach in Key West for $300 or less per night when taking this route. We haven't vetted all of the options, but if you're a millennial, you know how we do. Happy hunting!

Hotel

Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! PRICES ARE NOW NORTH OF $700/NIGHT!**** The Casa Marina is certainly a luxury experience, and one of the pricier lodging options in Key West at a rate of $400+ per night with tax and resort fee. When booking online or over the phone, use Group Code (not Promo Code) M6 for 10% off your stay. Using our names or mentioning our wedding will not help as the Casa Marina does not do room blocks. **Remember: Become a Hilton Honors (HHonors) Member for free! Start collecting points towards free nights AND receive a lower room rate. If you are already an HHonors Member, you can use points to pay for your stay at the Casa Marina, AND, if you use points to pay for your stay, you do NOT have to pay the $45/night resort fee!** **Remember, remember: The IHG credit card gives you 100,000 points just for joining and spending $1-3k on the card... that's right... part of your lodging could be free, even at the Casa Marina.**

Discount Code - M6

Hotel

Havana Cabana At Key West

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! PRICES ARE NOW $450+/NIGHT**** FOR THE KEY WEST EXPERIENCE TRAVELER Are you looking for a classic Key West feel? For ~$250/night, you can stay at the famous Havana Cabana that boasts the largest pool in Key West. The food, the bar, the charm of an old-school Cuban feel is what draws guests to this hotel time and again. You get a lot of bang for your buck at Havana Cabana with FREE Airport (Key West International) pick up, FREE shuttle service to Downtown Key West, FREE on-site parking, FREE smoothies and popsicles by the pool everyday at 12pm, and FREE churros in the lobby everyday from 4-6pm.

Hotel

Coconut Cay Resort & Marina

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! PRICES ARE AROUND $150/NIGHT AND AVAILABILITY IS LOW!**** FOR THE SUPER BUDGET TRAVELER We are so grateful that you are traveling to our wedding! But by no means does this mean you have to spend your whole trip in Key West. In fact, the best way to save when traveling to our wedding is to stay in another, less expensive Florida Key. Coconut Cay's motto is: "the way it used to be." This means FREE paddleboard, bicycle, kayak, and fishing reel rentals! FREE! This is the most budget friendly option for anyone traveling to the Florida Keys! With free parking, a rental car for those flying into FLL or MIA is much more practical (~$25/day). If you fly free or at a lower cost with Southwest Points, drive into the Keys, and take advantage of the cost saving benefits of Coconut Cay, you could spend 4 days in paradise for less than $600! That is a deal even Bargain Bob approves of.

Hotel

Blue Marlin Motel

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! NO AVAILABILITY THE WEEKEND DAYS OF OUR WEDDING... SOME ROOMS LEFT EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND AFTER THE WEDDING!**** FOR THE BUDGET TRAVELER The Blue Marlin Motel is a quintessential Key West motel: clean, charming, and just what you need for fun on a budget. For less than $200 per night out the door (with taxes and fees) you can't beat it! It is in the heart of Key West, making all the Downtown action walkable. If you are looking to fly direct to Key West, go without a car, and save on lodging, this would be the best choice! Not to mention, they've earned Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence. Book before it's gone!

Hotel

Harborside Motel & Marina

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! NO AVAILABILITY THE WEEKEND DAYS OF OUR WEDDING... SOME ROOMS LEFT EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND AFTER THE WEDDING!**** FOR THE BUDGET TRAVELER This motel is only a mile from Downtown Key West and is clean, no frills, but beautiful and right on the water. You'll spend about $200 per night with tax and all fees PLUS parking is FREE! You can walk or take an Uber or the bus to anywhere on the island. You can even save money with the in-room fridges and microwaves so no need to eat out for every meal. There's a great pool and a patio you can sit on an the evening looking out over the water with a glass of wine. Motels don't mean "less than" in Key West. The retro vibes of the town lend itself to 1960's lodging lingo, but this is a great place to stay if you're looking for affordability, beauty, and convenience. **Note: In true motel fashion, bring your own soaps! No frills here at the Harborside.** THIS MOTEL IS BOOKING FAST SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, BOOK NOW!!!

Hotel

Southwinds Motel

****OCTOBER 31 UPDATE! LIMITED AVAILABILITY REMAINING. PRICES ARE NOW NORTH OF $250-$360**** FOR THE BUDGET TRAVELER TRYING TO GET TO THE BEACH! Remember, Key West isn't built on sand, it's built on coral so access to beaches is typically through resorts. One block from Duval Street and one block from the beach!!! Plus, breakfast is included with your stay. Arguably the best deal in Key West if you don't care about staying ON the water. Plus, a pool and a hot tub will give you plenty of swim time. FREE parking, fridges and microwaves in each room, and bike rentals make this motel practical and budget-friendly without missing out on any of the essentials needed to explore the island! Not to mention the top-rated bar (and liquor store!) in Key West, the Tipsy Rooster, is right next door, meaning you don't have to go far for a good time. Plus, guests of Southwinds Motel get 5% off! Top rated on Booking.com, there are only a few rooms available so book soon!