Bus from South Beach to Key West

Question

Just looking for some advice please as we are staying at South Beach (800 Collins Avenue area) for 9 nights in July and want to go to Key West on a bus and stay overnight returning by bus the next day, what bus is the best to book and what bus stop in South Beach do we need?

Thank you

Answer

Great question. Yes — there are several good bus/shuttle options from South Beach (Miami) to Key West, plus a few details about where to catch them and what to expect. Below is a breakdown of the main options, plus advice on pick‐up points, cost, timing, and how to make the trip work for an overnight stay.

Main Bus Options from South Beach to Key West

Miami to Key West Shuttle / Motorcoach (tour-style):
This is one of the most straightforward and tourist-friendly options. Operated by “Miami to Key West Bus” / Key West Tours, these are full-size motor coaches (sometimes double-decker), with onboard restrooms.
They pick up in Miami Beach (including South Beach) along Collins Avenue, depending on where your hotel is — their website says pick-up is typically between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM for Miami Beach hotels.
The “Miami to Key West” one-way fare is very reasonable (around $29) according to their site.
Return buses typically depart Key West around ~5:30 PM, so you’ll have a good chunk of time in Key West to explore.
Greyhound / FlixBus:
Greyhound also has service from Miami (including Miami Beach) to Key West.
FlixBus carries many of these routes now as well; you can book via FlixBus website or app.
The Greyhound / FlixBus stop in Miami Beach is listed at 4101 Collins Ave (in front of Best Western Plus), according to Greyhound.
Travel time is around 4.5 hours for many of these buses.

Pros & Things to Consider

If you take the motorcoach / shuttle, you avoid driving (and parking) in Key West, which is very helpful — getting around Old Town is much easier on foot or via local transport.
The shuttle gives you decent “free time” in Key West if you stay overnight, since the return is in the evening.
With Greyhound / FlixBus, you may need to be more flexible: times, pick-up, and drop-off points may not always be super convenient depending on your hotel’s location in South Beach.
Book in advance: Both the tourist shuttle and the intercity buses can sell out, especially in summer.
For luggage: these buses (especially the shuttle) typically have luggage storage; just check the policy when you book.

My Recommendation Based on Your Plan

- Since you’re staying in South Beach and want to go down for one night: the Miami → Key West shuttle / bus tour is likely your best bet. It’s designed for travelers, has convenient pickup in Miami Beach, and gives you good time in Key West.
- For the return, schedule the ~5:30 PM bus to maximize your time exploring.
- Use FlixBus or Greyhound only if their schedule lines up well with your plans and the pick-up point is easy for you to reach from your hotel.

Bus from South Beach to Key West

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