We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I am a big fan of the Old Town Trolley Tours in general, have enjoyed exploring a few other cities that way, and was excited to be able to utilize the Old Town Trolley Tour Key West, Florida, on my recent trip.
So, today, as I continue my series of blog posts from my recent mom-cation in Key West, I want to share a little more about the Old Town Trolley Tours and also their Conch Train Key West because I think they are a really great way to take in a new city!
You may have heard of them before or seen them in cities like Nashville, St. Augustine, San Diego, Savannah, Washington, DC, or Boston. And while you may be tempted to think of this as just another tourist trap, it’s far from it!
In fact, Historic Tours of America, their main company (owned and operated in the USA), does so much to honor the history in a given area and help bring it back to life wherever possible. Over the years, they have actually purchased some iconic landmarks to help bring them back to life, including Mallory Square, right here in Key West!
The team over at Old Town Trolley Tours was kind enough to provide me with complimentary tickets on my last visit. However, this post is not paid for nor sponsored by them, and all opinions, photos, and content are my own.
Key West, Florida
But first, let’s talk about the city as a whole and why you should plan a visit of your own! In a nutshell, I am head over heels in love with Key West, Florida. I can’t get enough of the entire vibe of this community. It’s casual yet interesting, and everybody has a story to tell.
And that includes Papa, better known as Ernest Hemingway, whose legacy lives on here on the small island he called home for several years and whose many stories were intertwined with people he encountered here in the Conch Republic.
And there are so many fun things to do in Key West!
Many people may think of Key West, Florida, as a weekend destination, mainly because it’s pretty small. However, each time I visit, I head home wishing I had planned my trip to be twice as long because I can never hit everything on my Key West bucket list!
That’s probably because it’s ever-changing as I learn more about the island and its rich history. There is just so much to see and do!
So, whether you are planning a long visit or just dropping by for a day, I highly recommend that your first order of business be either the Old Town Trolley Tour or the Key West Conch Train. It’s just a great way to get a lay of the land, see what stops you want to cover on the rest of the trip, and soak in the rich history of the island!
Old Town Trolley Tour Key West
It’s hard to spend a day in Key West without spotting the trolleys and even the world-famous Conch Train.
That is because they stay very busy — serving an incredible number of guests each year. And if you are looking for a hop-on hop-off Key West tour, look no further than the Key West Old Town Trolley!
With 13 stops covering over 100 Key West points of interest and attractions, this open-air sightseeing tour in Key West features live narration from actual Key West residents and experts.
And while today I am talking specifically about the daytime standard Key West tours, make sure to check out their haunted trolley tour in Key West! The Ghosts and Graveyards tours that they offer are supposed to be a fun experience, and we hope to check those off of our bucket list sometime, too!
All of the tours have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and have amazing reviews.
Where Can You Buy Old Town Trolley Tickets in Key West?
You can buy Key West Trolley tickets in advance online at https://www.trolleytours.com/key-west, and this actually saves you a little money versus buying them in person. Tickets are available in one-day or two-day options, both with hop-on and hop-off privileges.
You can also buy them in person from any of the ticket kiosks or the main Key West Trolley ticket counter near Mallory Square.
You can also buy them in advance via Get Your Guide. Those tickets are refundable and let you cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Old Town Trolley Tour Key West Prices & Hours
The first tour of the day starts at 10 a.m., and the last tour departs Mallory Square at 4:30 p.m. Tours run 364 days a year — including on Christmas! The only day they are closed is the last Saturday in October for Fantasy Fest. Tours depart at least once every 30 minutes, but often quicker when demand is high.
The standard rate for one-day Key West Trolley tickets is $62 per day for adults (ages 13+) and $20 a day for children 12 and under. Children under 4 are free.
If you purchase a two-day ticket, you will save quite a bit, with those costing $71 and $41 each.
Once you arrive, you simply show your ticket when you first hop on and then are given a sticker showing that you are a paid rider, allowing you to get back on as often as you desire on that day.
Please note that online ticket prices can vary from time to time depending on which promotions are currently running and peak vs. off-peak pricing.
Trolley Tour Key West Map
If you were to ride the entire loop continuously, the Key West Trolley Tour is approximately 90 minutes long and, as I mentioned above, includes live narration throughout the ride as well as some free jokes and all kinds of fun facts about Key West! Plus, you get to see so many Key West attractions.
If you are looking for a Key West Old Town Trolley map online, the best place resource is the interactive map on their website! Once there in person, you can grab a paper copy to carry with you. Not only does it provide information on each trolley stop, but it is also a great map of Key West in general, with most of the fun and interesting landmarks marked.
You can also click here to download a copy of the paper map.
What Are The Best Stops Along The Key West Trolley Tour?
There are 13 stops along the 90-minute Key West Trolley Tour, and it’s hard to pick a “best stop” because it covers many of my favorite things to do in Key West, Florida.
Some will say it’s the Hemingway House (and the 6-toed cats), while others say you can’t beat an afternoon at Sloppy Joes. This Key West Trolley Tour covers a lot of ground, circling the perimeter of the island along the southeast and crisis crossing along Duval St. and other popular tourist destinations in the heart of the city to the northwest.
Some popular stops along the Old Town Trolley Tour in Key West, Florida, include the Key West Lighthouse, the Southernmost Point, the Key West Aquarium, and, of course, the ever-popular Mallory Square, where you can step outside and catch some of the best sunsets in the world.
Mallory Square
While you can hop on at any of the 13 stops, Mallory Square is actually the first stop on the tour, and from here, you can visit dozens of Key West attractions!
This is an exciting hub, bustling with excited visitors and just blocks from hundreds of shops, great restaurants (make sure to get Conch Fritters and Key Lime Pie), landmarks, and museums — such as the Shipwreck Museum, Shell Warehouse & Sponge Market, Key West Aquarium, Audubon House and of course the Shoppes at Mallory Square.
Presidential Gates
On my recent trip, I got off here at the second stop, actually called stop 1A, and enjoyed a tour of the Harry S. Truman Little White House.
Also at this stop is the First Flight Restaurant and Brewery, located inside what once was the first office of Pan American Airlines and a fascinating look into the history of international air travel!
Can we talk about how picturesque this street corner is with all of the bikes out front?
Waterfront, Simonton Row, and the Historic La Concha
The next few stops take you along some of the most well-known streets of Key West. You will be able to visit the historic waterfront, visit distilleries, kick back at Sloppy Joes or Margaritaville, and shop/eat to your heart’s content and your belly is full.
Bahama Village Market Key West
I personally love to stop at the Ernest Hemingway House to see the 6 toed cats! You can read my entire blog post about the Hemingway Home Cats here. If this looks like something that would interest you, make sure to get off at stop #5!
It’s also here that you can visit the Key West Lighthouse.
Stops 6-10: Southwest Key West
While they may not be quite as interesting, these stops do cover a lot of ground, and actually, if you are staying at the Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn Key West, Marriott Beachside Resort, Hilton Garden Inn, or Casa Marina Resort, the trolley provides you a great way to get “downtown” making stops at each.
The trolley also stops at the Key West Botanical Gardens, Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, and near the airport while on stop #9.
Southernmost Trolley Stop
I am sure that it comes as no surprise that here at the Southernmost Trolley Stop, you can walk to the Southernmost Point. This popular monument, which looks like a buoy, is probably the single most photographed place on the island of Key West.
There are a few other hotels in this area, as well as the Key West Butterfly House and Nature Conservatory.
Truval Village and the Angela Stree Depot
The last two stops are actually very close to the Bahama Village at Stop #5 above. So, from here, you can also access the Hemingway House and Key West Lighthouse again and continue to walk north on Duval Street to end up right where you started or at Sloppy Joes if you find yourself unable to resist the music as you stroll by!
I really enjoyed that walk, and while I missed the trolley driver’s quick-witted humor, I was able to come up with a few jokes of my own!
Can you guess what the joke is here?
Conch Train Key West
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a few more minutes there to talk about Key West’s iconic Conch Train. This world-famous sightseeing tour is also owned by Historic Tours of America and has been a Key West must-do since 1958! With only three stops (pretty close to one another), this 75-minute tour may be better suited for you to ride along the entire way, taking it all in.
A nod to Henry Flager and his railroad that arrived here in Key West back in 1912, bringing with it Key West’s golden age, this carnival-like colorful train is something that everyone who visits Key West must do at least one time! If you are interested in learning more about him and the history of Florida’s tourism industry, check out my favorite books about Florida!
Conch Train Key West Tickets and Prices
The first Conch Train tour of the day starts at 10:15 am, and the last tour departs from Front Street at 4:15 pm. And just like the Trolley Tours, the world-famous Conch Train runs 364 days a year.
Online tickets start at $47 per day for adults and $20 a day for children 12 and under. Kids under 4 are free on the Conch Train. Prices are subject to change and vary seasonally.
Purchase your Conch Train Tickets online here.
Conch Train Key West Stops
The Conch Train has three stops – departing from the Front Street Depot and ending at Mallory Square – basically right across the street from one another.
The Front Street Depot is a great place to shop and be entertained! The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is located right there and really dives deep (here I go with the jokes again) into the history of Key West’s most iconic wrecks and stories that only the Florida Straits can tell!
Click here to learn more about the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum!
At the other two stops, you can visit the Hemingway Home, Truman Little White House, Key West Lighthouse, Southernmost Point, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Sails to Rails Museum, and more!
So, if you are short on time, you may find that the Conch Train, being half the total duration, is enough to give you what you are looking for in a tour and tourist stops in Key West, Florida.
Planning Your Trip to Key West, Florida
If you haven’t planned a trip to Key West, put it on your radar! I have several posts featuring my past trips to Key West that you will find very interesting!
While I find it hard to believe that people wouldn’t like Key West, I guess I could say that you should avoid a trip if you don’t like live music, saltwater, fresh seafood, US history, or friendly people. And maybe, if you don’t like humidity, keep Key West out of your summer plans.
The best time to visit Key West is anytime, but the winter and shoulder seasons tend to have the mildest weather. Plus, there are different festivals all year, which are fun to plan around. I caught the last night of the Key West Singer Songwriter Festival and would love to visit during it next year!
Here is an interactive map to help you get a lay of the land and see what types of hotels are available and at which price point during your travel dates!
Does Your Cruise Stop in Key West Florida?
This is one of the other ways that people find themselves in Key West. And if your’s does, when you hit dry land, you’ll find yourself right there near Mallory Square and many of the landmarks mentioned here, ticket booths, and trolley stops, making a ride on either a very convenient way to see the island.
Typically, you will have a full day at port, allowing you to hop on and off a number of times and get the most sightseeing bang for your buck!
RELATED POST: Reasons Why I Love Cruising With My Teenagers
PIN My Old Town Trolley Tour Key West Blog Post For Later!
Does it make sense to do the Old Town Trolley tour and the Conch train both? Maybe one one day and the other another day?
I think both! I would do one each day. The Conch Train is much shorter and can easily be done on a day where you have more planned. The Trolley covers much more ground and has many more stops to hop on and off, so can take up a lot of the day if you want it to!
Looks like a very cool day trip idea! Thanks for all the details
I haven’t been to Key West yet, but when I do I’m gonna ride the Old Town Trolley. Thank you for the info 😊
Such a lovely town. I’d love to visit. I think we won’t have to choose between Trolley Tour and Conch Train, because for children the choice seems obvious – it’ll be Conch Train, for sure!
This trolley tour looks so fun! I’ve been to Key West but I honestly had no idea they had a lighthouse there.
We did the Conch Tour Train on our recent visit to Key West and really enjoyed it. I’ll have to check out the Trolley Tour on our next trip!
Especially when the temperatures are hot, it is great to sit on a trolley to get some time in the shade. But I also recommend booking a morning or evening walking tour in Key West.