Flying From Atlanta, GA to Key West, FL: How to Get There, What to Expect, and Local Tips

Flying from Atlanta, Georgia to Key West, Florida is one of the quickest ways to swap city traffic and MARTA rides for turquoise water and island sunsets. Whether you live in Atlanta, are here on business, or are just passing through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), this guide explains how Atlanta–Key West flights work, your options, and practical tips tailored to travelers starting in Atlanta.

Key Facts About Atlanta to Key West Flights

If you just want the basics, here’s a quick snapshot:

For anyone based in the Atlanta area, flying is usually the fastest and most convenient way to reach Key West.

Where You’ll Fly From in Atlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Almost all commercial flights from Atlanta to Key West depart from ATL, the region’s major airport:

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Located about 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
• Accessible via I-75/I-85, MARTA rail, rideshare, and airport shuttles

ATL is large, but it’s very familiar to most Atlanta residents. Departures to Florida, including Key West-bound itineraries, usually leave out of the domestic terminals and concourses.

Getting to ATL from Around Atlanta

Depending on where you live or are staying:

• From Downtown / Midtown / Buckhead

  • MARTA rail (Red or Gold Line) directly to Airport Station, connected to the Domestic Terminal
  • Rideshare, taxis, or hotel shuttles

• From the northern suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta)

  • Drive via GA-400 to I-85/I-285
  • Park at airport lots or offsite park-and-ride facilities
  • Or ride MARTA from North Springs, Dunwoody, or other stations

• From the south side (College Park, East Point, Fayetteville, Peachtree City)

  • Shorter drive via I-85, I-285, or surface streets
  • Many residents use local shuttle services or rideshare

Flying out of ATL is almost always more convenient than using smaller regional airports if your final destination is Key West (EYW).

Where You’ll Land: Key West International Airport (EYW)

Your flight from Atlanta will typically arrive at:

• Key West International Airport (EYW)
• Located on the eastern side of Key West, a short drive from Old Town, Duval Street, and most hotels

Key West International is much smaller and more laid back than ATL:

• Shorter walking distances
• Quick baggage claim
• Taxis, rideshare, and local shuttles are usually available just outside the terminal

From EYW, you can often be at your Key West hotel in 10–20 minutes, which is a big time-saver compared with flying to Miami and driving down the Keys.

Types of Atlanta to Key West Flight Options

1. Nonstop Atlanta to Key West Flights

When available, a nonstop ATL → EYW flight is usually the fastest and most comfortable option for Atlanta travelers:

• Flight duration: around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
• No plane changes or extra boarding
• Less risk of missed connections or delays

However:

• Nonstop schedules can be seasonal
• Frequency and days of operation may change over time
• Nonstops may sell out faster during spring break, holidays, and winter high season

If your schedule is flexible, it’s worth checking different days of the week from Atlanta to see if a nonstop option appears.

2. One-Stop Flights (Common for Many Atlanta Travelers)

If nonstops are limited or don’t fit your dates, you may see one-stop itineraries:

Common connection points include:

• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Occasionally other Southeast hubs, depending on the airline

These routes typically:

• Add 1–3 extra hours of total travel time
• Offer more time-of-day options (morning, afternoon, evening)
• Can sometimes be more affordable than rare nonstop flights

For Atlanta travelers, one-stop via South Florida is a very typical way to reach Key West, especially outside peak tourist seasons.

3. Multi-City or Open-Jaw Trips from Atlanta

If you’re planning a bigger Florida Keys or South Florida vacation from Atlanta, you can:

• Fly ATL → Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Rent a car and drive the Overseas Highway (US-1) down to Key West
• Then either fly back home from EYW or drive back to Miami/Fort Lauderdale to catch a return flight to ATL

This can be appealing if:

• You want to see other Keys (Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon)
• You enjoy scenic road trips and don’t mind driving
• You’re comfortable with 4+ hours of driving after landing in South Florida

Typical Travel Time: Door-to-Door from Atlanta to Key West

When you factor in Atlanta traffic, security, and ground transport in Key West, here’s a rough comparison:

• Nonstop ATL → EYW

  • Drive or ride to ATL: 30–90 minutes (varies by where you live in metro Atlanta)
  • Check-in and security: 1.5–2 hours before departure
  • Flight time: ~2 hours
  • Arrival and ground transport in Key West: 30–45 minutes
  • Total door-to-door: roughly 5–7 hours

• One-stop ATL → MIA/FLL → EYW

  • All of the above, plus:
  • Layover: usually 1–3 hours
  • Extra short flight: ~1 hour
  • Total door-to-door: often 7–10+ hours

Even with connections, flying usually beats driving from Atlanta to Key West, which can take 12–13+ hours on the road without long stops.

When Atlanta Flyers Typically Get the Best Deals

Airfare can change frequently, but Atlanta-based travelers often notice a few patterns:

• Midweek flights (Tuesday–Thursday) are sometimes more affordable than peak weekend departures
• Off-peak months for Key West (late summer and early fall, outside holidays) may have more competitive fares
• Early morning departures from ATL can occasionally be less expensive than popular mid-morning or evening flights

If you live in Atlanta and have a flexible schedule, consider:

• Checking different departure airports on the same day (ATL is primary, but sometimes flying to Miami and driving can change the cost balance)
• Looking at alternate days around your ideal travel dates

Planning Your ATL Airport Experience

Choosing the Right Time to Arrive at ATL

For flights to Key West (or connections heading that way), most Atlanta flyers aim to:

• Arrive about 2 hours before a domestic departure
• Add extra time for:
  • Morning rush hours on I-285 or downtown connectors
  • Holiday travel (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break)
  • Traveling with checked bags or children

If you’re coming from farther out in the metro area (for example, Gwinnett, Cherokee, or Henry counties), consider adding 30–60 minutes to your normal estimate, especially at peak traffic times.

Parking and Drop-Off at ATL

Atlanta residents have several options:

• Airport daily or economy parking near ATL
• Offsite park-and-ride lots with shuttle service to the terminals
• Rideshare from neighborhoods across the metro area
• MARTA direct to the Domestic Terminal to avoid parking altogether

If you’re taking a short Key West getaway (3–4 days), comparing the combined cost of parking vs. rideshare vs. MARTA from your neighborhood can help you choose the most cost-effective option.

What Atlanta Travelers Should Expect in Key West

Even though the focus is on flights, it helps to understand what awaits you after landing:

Transportation on Arrival

From Key West International Airport (EYW):

• Taxis and rideshare are commonly used for quick trips to Old Town and resort areas
• Some hotels and guesthouses may offer shuttle services
• Many Atlanta visitors skip renting a car in Key West itself, since:
  • The island is relatively small
  • Parking near popular areas can be limited
  • Bicycles, scooters, and walking are common ways to get around

If you’re used to Atlanta’s car-dependency, Key West can feel refreshingly walkable—especially around Duval Street, Mallory Square, and Old Town.

Weather Considerations Coming from Atlanta

Travelers from Atlanta often notice:

• Winter and early spring: Key West is much warmer and more humid than Atlanta; packing light clothing is essential.
• Summer and early fall: Both cities can be hot and humid, but Key West can also be in hurricane season, leading to occasional weather-related flight changes.

If you’re flying out of ATL during severe weather in Georgia or Florida, build in flexibility for possible delays, and consider:

• Booking earlier flights in the day, which are less likely to be affected by cascading delays
• Allowing some buffer time if you have same-day events or tours planned in Key West

Helpful Tips for Atlanta-Based Travelers Booking ATL → EYW

Here are some practical, locally relevant tips:

1. Check nonstop options first.
   Even if they’re seasonal, a nonstop ATL → EYW can save several hours compared with connections.

2. Compare Key West vs. Miami/Fort Lauderdale routes.
   Sometimes, Atlanta flyers find better prices flying to Miami or Fort Lauderdale and then:

   • Driving down to Key West, or
   • Taking a separate hop flight to EYW

3. Think about Atlanta traffic when picking flight times.

   • If you live in areas like Marietta, Lawrenceville, or McDonough, reaching ATL during rush hour can add a lot of time.
   • An earlier or later flight might fit better with your commute to the airport.

4. Use MARTA if you’re staying near the rail lines.

   • From Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter, taking MARTA to the airport can be simpler than parking or rideshare, especially for solo travelers.

5. Pack with security in mind.

   • ATL is busy, so arriving prepared for TSA screening (organized bags, minimal metal items, easy-to-remove electronics) can speed up your experience.

6. Plan for your first and last day in Key West.

   • From Atlanta, a morning flight down and an evening flight back can give you almost two extra half-days on the island, if schedules allow.

Is Flying From Atlanta to Key West Worth It?

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, GA, flying to Key West is usually:

• Faster and less tiring than driving
• More efficient for long-weekend trips
• Convenient thanks to Hartsfield-Jackson’s extensive flight network

Whether you end up on a nonstop from ATL to EYW or a one-stop itinerary through South Florida, planning around Atlanta’s airport logistics and traffic patterns will make your trip smoother and help you spend more of your vacation time actually enjoying Key West instead of just getting there.