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The boardwalk near Smathers Beach in Key West – Zhukova Valentyna\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
People from all over the world flock to Florida’s coastlines, ready to be exposed to pristine sandy shores and sparkling ocean waves. Once visitors land, they typically head to their accommodations, settle in, and then make their way to the beach. However, the Key West International Airport (EYW)<\/a>\u00a0bypasses all of the steps in between. Eager travelers can sink their toes in the sand after a five-minute drive (or a 20-minute\u00a0walk) to Smathers Beach, only\u00a0a mile down the road from the airport. In fact, it’s the closest Florida airport to the seaside.\u00a0It even beats out Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is 3.5 miles away from Dania Beach.\u00a0This distinction is based on data from Visit Florida<\/a>, which analyzed airports across the Sunshine State by their proximity to nearby beaches.<\/p>\n While EYW is a mile away from the stunning aqua blues of Smathers Beach<\/a>, it’s\u00a0just 5 miles away from the beach at\u00a0Fort Zachary Taylor State Park<\/a>. Both destinations\u00a0will give travelers an immediate sense of relaxation as soon as their vacation begins. History buffs can relax by the water and explore a Civil War-era fort, or they can be on island time with palm-tree lined shorelines and powdery white sand. Additionally, the airport is less than a 15-minute drive from the southernmost point in the continental U.S., which provides the perfect photo opportunity<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more: Florida Beach Towns That Could Pass For The Caribbean<\/a><\/p>\n Things to know about Key West International Airport A plane flying towards the Key West International Airport – Rob Atherton\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n March through May is considered\u00a0the best time of year to visit Key West<\/a>, yet people still fly in and out of the airport no matter the season. In fact, the\u00a0February 2026 passenger count broke records, with an almost 10% passenger increase from February 2025. EYW is an international travel hub, welcoming flights from major commercial carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and United. In 2025, Avelo<\/a> was added to that short list, providing non-stop service to Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN).<\/p>\n It’s generally a smaller airport, and one visitor noted on Google<\/a>\u00a0that it’s the tiniest airport he’s experienced. There’s a\u00a0cap on how many flights are in and out of the runway, since it has only\u00a0one terminal<\/a>. Once through security,\u00a0passengers will find a few dining options, such as Chili’s Grill & Bar and Starbucks.\u00a0With Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Smathers Beach minutes away, departing passengers can soak in their final Florida moments before their journey home, while those arriving only need to step outside and breathe in the sea breeze and salty air.<\/p>\n Heading to Key West on a budget? Check out\u00a0the best things to do there that don’t cost a dime<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a> and add us as a preferred search source<\/a> for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/76c141a79b0463369d0bfcfa979880ab.jpeg\"\/)
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