Which place is cheaper, Key West or Duck Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Duck Key or Key West?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Key West can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or Key West?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Duck Key Prices
USA PricesKey West Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $175Key West $832
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in Key West is $832. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Duck Key and Key West in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56Key West $132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112Key West $264
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Key West
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Key West? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Key West Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69Key West $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Private Transfer from Key West hotels to Key West Cruise Port: $114
- Private Transfer from Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West Port: $113
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $54
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $164
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $156
- Key West Int Airport EYW to Key West Hotels Arrival Transfer: $156
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Key West?
Prices for flights to both Key West and Duck Key change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDuck Key $77Key West $667
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $74
- Exploring and Walking Food Tour of Cayo Hueso: $80
- Key West Cooking Show Chef Demonstration with Meal: $81
- Cooking Show Chef Demonstration with Meal: $81
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included: $84
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $90
- Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with Open Bar and Live Music: $100
- Secret Walking Food Tour: $115
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck Key $30Key West $33
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- 2 Hour Key West Mini Catamaran Eco Tour: $285
- 2-Hour Live Music Guided Tour in Key West: $35
- Day Sailing Adventure in the Florida Marine Sanctuary: $99
- Day in Key West - Private SUV Tour From Miami: $1,300
- Florida Key West Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Florida Keys: Aquarium Encounters Day Tour with Lunch: $182
- Florida Keys: Dolphin Research Center Day Tour with Lunch: $182
- Florida Keys: Up The Keys Nature Tour: $128
- From Dolphin Watching Tour with Lunch & Drinks: $150
- From Sandbar Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar (18+): $151
- Guided Mangrove Eco Tours Kayak or Paddleboard Adventure: $75
- Guided Night Kayak Adventure Tour in Luminous Lagoon: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99Key West $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Key West Bar Crawl: $15
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Key West, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Key West Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Key West?
Key West has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Key West, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Duck Key or Key West?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Duck Key or Key West in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Key West. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Duck Key is around the same temperature as Key West in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Key West fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the summer, Duck Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key West. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Key West. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck Key 84°F (29°C)Key West 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Key West in the Autumn?
Both Key West and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year.
In the autumn, Duck Key is around the same temperature as Key West. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Key West averages at about 80°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Key West. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Key West during autumn. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. It's quite rainy in Duck Key. In October, Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Key West. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck Key 80°F (27°C)Key West 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Key West in the Winter?
Both Key West and Duck Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Duck Key is generally around the same temperature as Key West. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Key West fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the winter, Duck Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key West. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Key West. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck Key 70°F (21°C)Key West 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Key West in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Key West. Also, many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Duck Key is around the same temperature as Key West in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Key West during spring. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Key West. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck Key 77°F (25°C)Key West 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Key West and Duck Key
| Duck Key | Key West | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.