Your island adventure awaits! Here are a few inside tips n' tricks that will make your travel experience more enjoyable.
All passengers 18 years of age or older are required to have valid photo identification in the form of a drivers license or passport to travel.
Passengers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Cruising Dates
Our seasonal Marco Island location welcomes guests aboard December through April, while our Fort Myers Beach location welcomes guests aboard year round. Schedules are available a year in advance but, do vary depending on the time of year so, Please review available departures by visiting our sailing calendar.
Packing
Let's get you packed! Say good bye to dragging burdensome luggage. You may bring aboard 2 carry on size pieces of luggage.
Key West is primarily a pedestrian island and epitomizes laid back island life. Pack lightly with casual & comfortable shoes and relaxed, breezy clothing for strolls through vibrant streets, sunny waterfronts and soaking up endless blue skies. We suggest sunscreen, a hat and perhaps a light sweater or jacket for those lovely island breezes.
Key West Express reserves the right to refuse to permit any passenger to bring aboard any item Key West Express deems inappropriate and as outlined in the NOT allowed section below. All passengers and carry-ons are subject to search at the sole discretion of Key West Express.
You're almost ready! Please click on FAQ buttons below for more important travel information. We'll see you soon!
Tickets purchased in advance and during the week are less expensive than same-day purchases and weekend travel. For more information on all of our fares, including any promotions, please consult our official
Fares Pricing page.
Absolutely! We invite you to enjoy as many days on Island as you would like. Simply select your preferred date of departure and date of return when you book your travel dates. Some guests enjoy the island vibe so much, you may even travel one way...never to return.
While actual travel time varies based on weather and sea conditions, we recommend to plan on approximately 3.5-4 hours journey between ports. Getting there & back is half the fun as passengers may enjoy the freedom to stretch their legs and stroll aboard our jet powered catamarans that is not available on a plane or in a car. Wander between decks where you may select from a climate controlled interior cabin or the sun-shiny ocean breeze from the sundeck while enjoying a tropical beverage or bite to eat from the galley.
You may bring aboard two small carry-ons, free of charge. Carry-on size is not to exceed 22”x14”x9”. Any oversized piece up to 27”x21”x14” or additional carry-ons will incur a fee of $40.00 per piece round trip. Dimensions are of the utmost importance as space is limited. Security prohibits any unattended belongings of any kind be left aboard a vessel or any terminal area and may be disposed of upon discovery without liability thereto. Items of any kind are prohibited from occupying passenger seating.
Passengers are prohibited from carrying aboard the vessel or possessing at any terminal location, controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, coolers, weapons of any kind, including firearms, explosive materials or other similar property or anything contained in glass. Key West Express reserves the right to refuse to permit any item be carried aboard that it deems inappropriate and to search passengers and carry-ons at its sole discretion without liability thereto. Any passenger carrying a firearm and refusing to leave after being asked to do so can result in a third degree felony charge for armed trespassing.
Due to security regulations following 9/11, there are no locker areas nor are we permitted to store personal items or carry-ons of any kind. Security prohibits any unattended belongings of any kind be left aboard a vessel or any terminal area and may be disposed of upon discovery without liability thereto. We suggest you contact Paradise Porters in Key West for storage of personal belongings or inquire at your hotel.
Household pets (dogs, cats, birds) are welcomed aboard for a fee, based on availability. All pets must be contained in a passenger provided carrier however, pet strollers are prohibited. Pets are PROHIBITED from occupying passenger seating, atop tables or within aisles. Failure to remove pets from any of the aforementioned or that exhibit behavior disruptive to other pets or passengers may result in passenger being denied travel at the sole discretion of and without liability thereto Key West Express. Larger pets that do not fit under tables or beneath passenger seats are accommodated within their passenger provided carrier on the rear exterior deck, also reserved for smoking. The fee per pet is $60.00 roundtrip. Reservations required as space is limited.
Standard size, non-motorized bicycles may be brought aboard for a fee of $90.00 per bike round trip. Bicycles are strictly limited to single seat, standard size and cannot have any attachments. Non-standard size bicycles such as recumbent or tandem style are prohibited. E-bikes or any battery operated recreational device of any kind are also prohibited. All bicycles are stored outside on the rear deck and exposed to any outside elements of marine travel. Reservations required as space is limited.
Vessels are accessible by ramps to the main deck, where all amenities are located. There are no elevators to the upper seating areas so, access to these areas is limited if you are not mobile. Vessel access accommodates standard size, single person mobility devices.
YES...and much more fun as your vacation begins the minute you step aboard! Under great driving conditions, Google says driving from Fort Myers to Key West is 5 hours 15 minutes. roughly 2 hours longer than taking a Key West Express ferry. Marco Island drive time is 4 hours 50 minutes, roughly 1.5 hours longer than a ferry. Some describe the expensive difficulty of available parking as "akin to finding hidden treasure". Enjoy the island vibe of this compact, pedestrian island with convenient popular options of bicycles, mopeds and golf carts.
See our driving to Key West page for more info.
Get Ready For Your Nautical Adventure! 
