Which place is cheaper, Key West or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Key West?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Key West. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Key West?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Key West $551
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Key West is $551. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Big Pine Key and Key West in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Key West $132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Key West $264
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Key West
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Key West? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Key West Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Key West $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Private Transfer from Key West hotels to Key West Cruise Port: $40
- Private Transfer from Key West Int Airport to Key West Port: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $54
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $67
- Key West Int Airport EYW to Key West Hotels Arrival Transfer: $67
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Key West?
Prices for flights to both Key West and Big Pine Key change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBig Pine Key $42Key West $385
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $90
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included: $93
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Old Town Secret Food Tour: $101
- The Hemingway Experience by Key West Food Tours: $157
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Key West $33
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Private E-Pedicab 1 Hour Sightseeing Ride of Old Town Key West: $100
- Southernmost Ghosts Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Live Music Guided Tour in Key West: $35
- A Self-Guided Tour of Key West's Legends and Sights: $30
- Adults only Sunset Cruise from Key West with Champagne: $98
- Bahama Village Walking Tour: $30
- Best of Key West Walking Tour with Glass Bottom Boat Cruise: $229
- Best of Key West with Glass Bottom Boat Cruise: $294
- Bike Key West Beaches and Back Roads Audio Tour: $11
- Champagne Sunset Catamaran Cruise in Key West : $59
- Christmas Holiday Lights Cruise aboard Schooner America 2.0: $60
- Cruise Through Key West's Black History Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Key West $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Key West, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Key West Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Key West?
Key West has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Key West, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Key West?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Key West in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Key West. Also, many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Key West in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Key West fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key West. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Key West. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Key West 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Key West in the Autumn?
Both Key West and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Key West in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Key West. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Key West averages at about 80°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Key West. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Key West during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Key West. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Key West 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Key West in the Winter?
Both Key West and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Key West. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Key West fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key West. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Key West. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Key West 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Key West in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Key West. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Key West in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Key West during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Key West. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Key West 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Key West and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Key West | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.