Flying From Atlanta to Key West: How to Plan Your Trip From ATL ✈️🌴

If you’re in Atlanta and craving turquoise water, laid‑back streets, and Florida Keys sunsets, a flight from Atlanta to Key West is the fastest way to get there. Whether you live in the metro area, are visiting Atlanta and flying out from here, or are just trying to understand your options, this guide walks through everything you need to know about this route from an Atlanta-focused perspective.

Key Things to Know About Flights From Atlanta to Key West

Route basics from Atlanta:

• Departure airport: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Arrival airport: Key West International Airport (EYW)
• Typical nonstop flight time: Around 2 hours (give or take, depending on winds and routing)
• Time zone: Both Atlanta and Key West are in Eastern Time, so no time change

Because Atlanta is a major hub, you’ll usually find:

• Nonstop flights on certain airlines and schedules
• One-stop options via other Florida cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Orlando

From an Atlanta traveler’s perspective, the main decision is usually: nonstop vs. connecting and price vs. convenience.

Getting From Atlanta to Key West: Nonstop vs. Connecting

Nonstop Flights From ATL to EYW

Nonstop service is the most convenient option if you:

• Want to maximize time in Key West
• Are taking a long weekend and can’t lose hours in connection time
• Prefer less hassle and fewer chances for baggage delays

Typical characteristics of nonstop Atlanta–Key West flights:

• About 2 hours in the air
• Often scheduled in daytime hours
• Can be more expensive than connecting options, especially during:
  • Winter and spring (popular Keys season)
  • Long weekends and major holidays
  • School breaks in metro Atlanta

If your schedule is tight and you’re leaving from Atlanta’s south side, Midtown, Downtown, or near the airport, nonstop is often worth considering for the time savings alone.

Connecting Flights: When They Make Sense

Connecting flights from Atlanta to Key West usually route through other Florida or Southeast hubs, for example:

• Miami (MIA)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Orlando (MCO)
• Tampa (TPA)
• Occasionally other cities in the Southeast

Typical total travel time with a connection:

• 4–6 hours or more, depending on the layover

A connecting flight from ATL to EYW may make sense if:

• Nonstop fares are high and you’re flexible on timing
• Nonstop options don’t fit your departure or return dates
• You’re using airline miles and only connecting options are available

If you live farther out in the metro area (for example, in Cobb, Gwinnett, or North Fulton) and need to travel at off-peak hours, a connecting flight might also line up better with your drive time to ATL and your schedule.

Typical Flight Time, Distance, and What to Expect

From an Atlanta traveler’s point of view, this route is one of the easier “tropical-feeling” trips you can take without leaving the country.

Route overview:

• Approximate distance: Around 600–700 miles
• Typical gate-to-gate time (nonstop): Around 2–2.5 hours
• Boarding and deplaning: Plan to add 30–45 minutes on each end for boarding, taxiing, and exiting the plane

In practice, door-to-door from Atlanta:

• If you live inside the Perimeter (ITP) and aren’t checking bags, door-to-door to your hotel in Key West can often be around:
  • 5–6 hours total, including:
    • Drive or transit to ATL
    • Security and boarding time
    • Flight time
    • Taxi or shuttle from EYW to lodging
• If you’re coming from outside the Perimeter (OTP) or south metro counties, add more time for traffic and parking.

When to Fly: Best Times and Seasons From an Atlanta View

Seasonal Considerations

Travel patterns from Atlanta to Key West tend to follow:

• Peak travel:

  • Late fall through spring, especially:
    • November–April
    • Long weekends and holiday periods
  • This is when many Atlantans escape cooler weather.

• Summer:

  • Still popular but can be:
    • Hot and humid in the Keys
    • Affected by tropical storms or hurricane season (roughly June–November)

If you’re trying to balance crowd levels and cost:

• Shoulder seasons (late April–early June and late September–October) can offer:
  • More availability
  • Somewhat better pricing compared with peak winter months

Best Times of Day to Fly From ATL

For Atlanta-based travelers, consider:

• Morning departures:
  • Usually less impacted by afternoon thunderstorms (common in the South)
  • Give you a usable afternoon in Key West
• Midday flights:
  • Often more relaxed logistics—less rush-hour traffic getting to ATL
• Evening flights:
  • Can work if you’re leaving after work in Atlanta, but:
    • Less daylight left when you arrive
    • Fewer same-day backup options if there’s a delay

How to Get to Atlanta Airport for a Flight to Key West

Since nearly all Atlanta-to-Key West flights leave from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), your first step is getting there smoothly.

1. Driving and Parking at ATL

If you live in metro Atlanta and prefer to drive:

• On-site parking: Short-term, daily, and economy options, plus the Park-Ride lots
• Off-site parking: Numerous private lots around the airport area, often with shuttle service

Things Atlanta drivers should factor in:

• Traffic on I-75/I-85, I-285, and I-20, especially:
  • Weekday mornings and late afternoons
  • Friday evenings
• Extra time for parking shuttles and walking to the terminal if using remote lots

For Key West vacation flights, many locals prefer long-term or remote parking to keep costs manageable for 4–7 day trips.

2. Taking MARTA to the Airport

For many Atlanta residents or visitors staying near rail lines, MARTA is a simple option:

• Airport Station: Located inside the Domestic Terminal, at the end of the Red and Gold rail lines
• If you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Doraville, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, or Dunwoody, you often have a direct rail route

General guidance:

• Plan extra time for:
  • Walking within stations
  • Train frequency, especially evenings and weekends
• MARTA can be a good choice if:
  • You’re packing light
  • You want to avoid parking fees
  • You’re staying at a hotel along a MARTA line

3. Rideshare and Taxis

If you’re in central Atlanta or close-in suburbs:

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) and local taxis can be practical:
  • Convenient if you have beach gear but don’t want to park
  • Useful for early flights when train schedules are limited

For Atlanta neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or East Atlanta, rideshare is often the easiest option, especially for small groups.

Typical Costs and Budget Tips (Atlanta Perspective)

While exact fares change constantly, there are some patterns Atlanta travelers commonly see on this route.

What Affects Ticket Prices

For flights from ATL to EYW, prices are often influenced by:

• Season: Winter and spring tend to be pricier than late summer or early fall
• Day of the week:
  • Fridays and Sundays often cost more
  • Midweek trips (Tuesday–Thursday) can sometimes be cheaper
• Nonstop vs. connecting:
  • Nonstop often commands a premium
  • One-stop flights can offer savings if you’re flexible

Practical Money-Saving Tips 💡

Atlanta-based travelers often find these strategies helpful:

• Be flexible with dates: Shifting your departure or return by a day or two can significantly change the fare
• Look at early or midweek departures: Especially if your work or school schedule allows it
• Compare nonstop vs. one-stop options: Decide if an extra hour or two is worth the potential savings
• Travel light if possible: Some fare types offer lower prices with carry-on only or limited baggage

Packing and Logistics for an Atlanta-to-Key West Flight

From Atlanta’s climate and airport setup to Key West’s vibe, there are a few practical considerations.

Packing for the Seasons

Key West stays warm to hot much of the year, while Atlanta can be much cooler during fall and winter.

Common packing patterns for Atlantans:

• Leaving Atlanta in winter:
  • Wear layers you can easily remove once you land
  • Light jacket or sweatshirt for ATL and the plane
  • Summer clothes in your carry-on for immediate use in Key West
• Year-round:
  • Lightweight clothing
  • Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
  • Comfortable walking shoes or sandals

If you’re traveling from colder north Georgia (e.g., Cobb, Cherokee, Hall, Forsyth), it’s especially helpful to layer so you’re not stuck carrying a heavy coat in tropical weather.

Checked Bags vs. Carry-On From ATL

Because ATL is large and busy, travelers often prefer:

• Carry-on only when possible:
  • Faster exit at Key West’s smaller airport
  • Less chance of delayed baggage
• Checked bags if:
  • You’re bringing gear like fins or snorkels
  • You’re packing for a longer family trip

If you’re connecting through another city, keeping essentials and a change of clothes in your carry-on is especially useful in case of delays.

Alternatives to Flying Directly Into Key West

Some Atlanta residents consider alternative routes if nonstop prices are high or if flight times don’t work.

Flying to Another Florida City, Then Driving

A common strategy:

1. Fly from Atlanta to Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), or another Florida city
2. Rent a car
3. Drive down the Overseas Highway to Key West

Key considerations:

• Drive time from Miami to Key West: Often around 3.5–4 hours, depending on traffic
• This can turn your travel day into a scenic road trip, but it adds:
  • Car rental cost
  • Tolls and gas
  • Extra travel time
• Works best if:
  • You enjoy driving
  • You’re staying multiple days and want to explore other Keys on the way

From an Atlanta angle, this can make sense if:

• Flights to Miami or Fort Lauderdale are significantly cheaper
• You’re flexible and like the idea of a road adventure rather than a quick in-and-out trip

Using Atlanta as a Connection Point to Key West

If you’re visiting Atlanta from another city and then heading to Key West, ATL can be both your arrival and connection point.

Planning a Stopover in Atlanta

Some travelers:

• Spend a day or two in Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, or near attractions)
• Then take a flight from ATL to Key West

If you’re doing this:

• Consider staying near:
  • MARTA stations for an easy trip back to the airport
  • Or the airport hotel area if you value quick access to your next flight
• Build in buffer time between your inbound flight to ATL and your Key West departure in case of delays

Practical Airport Tips Specific to Atlanta Travelers

Because Hartsfield–Jackson is both Atlanta’s local airport and a major global hub, it helps to plan ahead.

Timing Your Arrival at ATL

For domestic flights to Key West, many Atlanta-area travelers aim to:

• Arrive at ATL at least 1.5–2 hours before departure
• Add extra time if:
  • It’s a holiday period or peak travel season
  • You need to check bags
  • You’re unfamiliar with ATL’s layout

If you’re driving in from Gwinnett, Cobb, Henry, or south Fulton counties, or from cities like Marietta, Roswell, or Lawrenceville, don’t underestimate:

• Rush hour traffic
• Construction zones on interstates and connector roads

Moving Around ATL Efficiently

Key tips for ATL:

• The Plane Train inside security helps move quickly between concourses
• At peak times, security can be busy:
  • Consider using the appropriate security checkpoint (North or South) based on your terminal and airline
• Build in time for:
  • Getting from the MARTA station or parking to your gate
  • Potential lines for bag drop and security

Quick Reference: Atlanta to Key West Flight Snapshot

For anyone in Atlanta—whether you live in Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, or Midtown—flying to Key West is one of the most straightforward ways to trade Peachtree Street traffic for Duval Street sunsets. With a bit of planning around flight times, airport access, and seasonal patterns, you can make the trip efficient, predictable, and well-suited to your schedule and budget.