Key Largo Transportation

I did some investagtion on the taxi companies in Key Largo and found that there are only a few that are leagly doing business in the area. I found out that the only ones are as far as I know are Keys Express Cab, Mom's Taxi, Key Largo Taxi and Sea the Keys. I checked with the Florida Fictous Name Dept. and no other business is listed as being registered, so watch out for the scabs and fly by nighters. Also look for the reviews some are ... well pretty interesting.

My girlfriend and I recently visited Miami FL and made a side trip to the Keys. I was happy to be referred to a taxi service call Don's Friendly Taxi. Don picked us up at the airport with curbside service and surprised us with a really great rate to drive us all the way to Key Largo. We were going to rent a car at the airport and drive but found out that its cheaper even with the taxi fare to rent the car outside the airport at a local Keys location. Once we found out that Don would even drive us around Key Largo and other locations, we decided that we would use his service rather risk getting a DUI. Don's professional and personal service made our visit to the Keys enjoyable and fun as though we had a personal chauffeur. Way to go Don's Friendly Taxi.

The Florida Keys Scenic Highway is one incredible drive. One side you have the Atlantic Ocean and the other is the Gulf of Mexico. Driving down the highway was great. The views of the water was unbelievable. The shades of blue from deep aqua, to light turquoise to baby blue were a sight to see.

Liz and I enjoyed driving this stretch of highway. There are plenty of spots to stop and eat, take pictures or just enjoy the views.

GETTING TO THE KEYS FROM MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

If you fly into Miami and rent a car to travel to the Florida Keys, when you exit the airport, you should take 836 West to the Florida Turnpike. Take the Florida Turnpike south until it ends in Florida City where it merges into southbound U.S. Highway 1. Continue south on U.S. 1 until you reach Key Largo. The distance from Miami Airport to Upper Key Largo is approximately 56 miles and will take you about an hour and a half.
Once you're in the Keys it is almost impossible to get lost. U.S. 1 is the only road that travels continuously from island to island. All roads that intersect with U.S. 1 either come to a dead end or end up back on U.S. 1. When traveling on U.S. 1 you will see small green signs with numbers on them that are mounted on steel posts about three feet high. These are called mile markers, often referred to as 'M.M.'. The Keys begin at M.M.113 and M.M. 0 is in Key West. While you're visiting you will also hear people say 'oceanside' and 'bayside'. If you're headed south (toward Key West from Miami) , the Atlantic Ocean is on the left and Florida Bay is on your right. Obviously it is the opposite if you are headed north. Mile markers and the references to oceanside and bayside are used instead of addresses to describe locations. For example you may be told 'Holiday Isle is at at mm 84, oceanside'. Keep in mind there are no partial mile markers, so if you are told that a restaurant is located at m.m. 87.5, this means it is about half way between m.m. 87 and m.m. 88.

Airports besides Miami
There are two airports with commercial flights located in the Keys, one on Marathon near mile marker 50 and the other in Key West.

Key West International Airport (EYW):

Comair 1-800-35-9822

US Air 1-800-428-4322

Gulfstream 1-800-992-8532

Cape Air 1-800-352-0714

America Air 1-800-433-7300

Florida Keys Marathon Airport:

Paradise Air 305-743-4222

Miami International Airport (MIA):

Comair 1-800-354-9822

US Air 1-800-428-4322

Gulfstream International 1-800-992-8532

Carribbean Air Service, Inc. 1-305-681-3007

The prettiest and most relaxing way to get to the Keys is to drive a convertible down. The drive over the low bridges makes you feel like you are practically flying. I highly recommend it.

Startingpoints for diving, snorkling or boattours are to be reached by car only (unless you're in for a fierce walk). Some touroperators have busses running from Miami or boattours from there.