Dry Tortugas National Park, located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, is a remote and pristine destination known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and historic Fort Jefferson. While getting to the park requires some planning due to its remote location, there are affordable options available that can help you make the most of your visit without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for the most affordable way to visit Dry Tortugas, here are a few options to consider.
Most affordable way to visit Dry Tortugas
Your first leg of the journey will be transferring from your home to the southern tip of Florida. If you have time, you can make the drive. Remember that gas, overnights, and vehicle wear-and-tear should all be expenses that are factored into your vacation budget.
Flying to Florida
Driving to Key West may be the most affordable way to visit Dry Tortugas if you have a large family, if you leave in or close to Florida, or if you will be camping in the region.
If flying would make more sense for your party size or your timeframe, you can consider two airports. The first is the Key West Airport. This is a regional airport that is often far more expensive than the closest major airport, Miami International Airport.
If you fly to Miami International Airport, you will need to rent a car to make the longer-than-you-will-believe journey down to Key West. Expect a four-to-six hour drive, depending on traffic.
If you fly into Key West and do not plan to visit other Florida Keys, you can navigate the tiny island by foot, bike, and Uber. You will not need to incur the expense of a rental car if you do not have the budget for it.
Flights can eat up a lot of a vacation budget, especially when you have multiple children. We suggest that you learn more about the Families Fly Free program and learn how to fly to major U.S. airports on Southwest points. Our family of four rarely pays for flights, and we travel at least five weeks per year.
Where to Stay in Key West, Florida
The good news is that hotel rates are lower in the summer. Summer is considered the “off-season” in Key West. This island is hopping with snowbirds in the winter, so the prices soar in December through February.
During the summer, a family can stay in a single hotel room of a 3-star hotel for about $200 per night. Be sure that if you book through a third-party, you are aware of their level of customer support.
Short-term rentals are expensive in Key West, but they may offer flexibility to cook that will end up saving you some money, especially with a larger family or travel group.
There is a hostel in Key West, Florida; however, we have not known it to be a less expensive option when travelling with a family of four. You should definitely price it out to see if it meets your needs: Seashell International Hostel and Motel.
For a wild card option, you can stay at a campground. Bahia Honda State Park is one of Florida’s favorite parks for camping. It is on Key West. Another camping option is Boyd’s Campground in Key West. We have stayed here before and enjoy the excellent service and location. There is a great restaurant within walking distance.
If you do choose to camp, remember that you can bring a tent, sleeping bags, and other gear in your free, checked luggage when flying with Southwest Airlines!
How to get to Dry Tortugas
You least expensive option for travelling from Key West, Florida to Dry Tortugas National Park is to take the ferry. The ferry service from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park is a popular and affordable transportation option for visitors. The official ferry operator, Yankee Freedom III, offers daily excursions to the park for up to 175 people.
The ferry ride takes approximately 2 hours and provides stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico along the way. There are restrooms, air conditioning, and indoor and outdoor seating on the boat. The ferry trip also includes breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear, and a guided tour of Fort Jefferson.
Prices start at $200 per person for round-trip transportation. Booking your ferry tickets in advance is recommended, as availability can be limited, especially during peak travel seasons. When I spoke to the company on the phone, they advised that travellers book up to a year in advance.
Our last ferry trip was in January of 2019, and we departed with a full ferry. We had followed advice and booked nine months ahead of time.
If you would like to primitive camp on the beaches of Dry Tortugas National Park, the ferry service is $220 per person which includes the extra baggage transport fees.
We have not seen or heard of any discounts for accessing the island via ferry service. We advise that you prioritize this fare if you are looking for the most affordable way to visit Dry Tortugas National Park.
Tips for a Budget-Friendly Visit
To make your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park more budget-friendly, consider the following tips:
- Pack your own food and drinks: Whether you are camping, staying at an AirB&B, or staying at a hotel, one of the biggest expense categories of travel is food. Packing and preparing your food will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your trip to Dry Tortugas.
- Camp overnight: If you’re up for a camping adventure, consider staying overnight at the park’s campground. Camping fees are relatively affordable, and it allows you to experience the park after the day-trippers have left, enjoying the serenity of the island. Be prepared with all of the gear you need including a cooler with food, ice, and plenty of water. For reservations and information read THIS.
- Plan your visit during off-peak times: Visiting the Key West and Dry Tortugas during weekdays or in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) can offer cost savings, as prices for transportation and accommodations tend to be lower compared to peak travel times. Remember that “surge pricing” is rampant in the travel industry.
- Don’t stay long: Here’s the hard truth about a trip to Dry Tortugas. If you are on a budget, staying in Key West will be cost prohibitive. We suggest that you stay in Key West the night before your ferry leaves, as it leaves close to sunrise. You may want to stay in Key West again on the evening of your return on the ferry. If you are tight on budget, the cost of those two nights’ lodging may be all you need to incur on your south Florida trip.
- Wild card: Depending on your party’s size, you may be able to take the seaplane instead of the ferry and end up with a similar trip cost. The cost of the ferry is around $200 per person, and the cost of the half-day seaplane is around $400 per person. The seaplane, however, saves you around 2-3 hours of time. Thus, if your food, lodging, and Key West transportation costs exceed $200 per person per day (example: $300 hotel, $100 food, $100 car rental = $500 per day,) you may actually SAVE money by taking the seaplane and leaving the Key West promptly afterwards.
Final Thoughts
Getting to Dry Tortugas National Park on a budget is certainly possible with some careful planning and consideration of the available transportation and lodging options. Remember to book your ferry tickets in advance, pack your essentials, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the captivating Dry Tortugas National Park!
