Bus tours from Miami cover the Overseas Highway in about 4 hours, leaving a full afternoon for Duval Street, snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat ride. Most return by evening.
4.1 out of 5 · 5,263 reviews
Day Trips from Miami
Day trips from Miami reach the Bahamas by ferry, Key West by bus and the Everglades by airboat. Most run as full-day guided tours with hotel pickup and same-day return to Miami.
High-speed ferries from Miami reach Bimini or Nassau in 2 to 4 hours, giving you a beach day with snorkeling and island time. Some excursions add swimming-pigs stops or Grand Bahama visits.
Airboat rides skim through sawgrass marshes just 45 minutes from Miami, with alligator sightings and wildlife shows included. Full-day options add nature walks deeper into the national park.
The fast ferry from Miami reaches Bimini in about 2 hours, opening a day of white-sand beaches, reef snorkeling and island bars. Round-trip crossings depart in the morning and return by evening.
The Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is about 3 hours from Miami, with real rockets, shuttle exhibits and launch simulators. Tours include transport and guided access.
How to choose the right day trip from Miami
Miami sits at the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, giving you access to two vastly different landscapes within an hour: the wild sawgrass marshes of the Everglades to the west and the coral reef coastline of the Keys to the south. Day trips from Miami range from a 45-minute drive to an airboat dock to a full-day bus ride down the Overseas Highway to Key West.
Prices start from $19 for an Everglades wildlife tour and go up to $101 for a private 90-minute airboat experience. The choice depends on whether you want nature and wildlife, a beach-town escape, or a combination that packs several South Florida highlights into one outing.
Types of day trips from Miami
Wildlife and nature
The Everglades is the most popular nature day trip from Miami, with 16 guided tours available and prices starting from $19. Most tours include an airboat ride through the sawgrass marshes, a wildlife encounter with rescued alligators, and roundtrip bus transport from central Miami. Private airboat options are available for smaller groups who prefer a more exclusive experience, with 60-minute and 90-minute rides rated 5.0 stars by past visitors.
Island and beach escapes
Key West is the signature island day trip from Miami, reaching the southernmost point of the continental United States via the 113-mile Overseas Highway. Six tours are listed from $28, with most providing bus transport, an English-speaking guide onboard, and free time to explore Duval Street, the Ernest Hemingway Home, and sunset at Mallory Square. The drive crosses 42 bridges, making the journey itself a highlight.
Combination tours
Multi-stop packages combine the Everglades with a Biscayne Bay cruise and an open-top bus tour of Miami in a single day, starting from $89. These are designed for visitors on a short stay who want to cover South Florida's main highlights without booking separate excursions. The components can often be taken on different days, giving flexibility to split the experience across your trip.
How much do day trips from Miami cost
Budget-friendly options
Everglades group tours are the most affordable day trips from Miami, starting from $19 per person. Key West bus tours follow at $28, which covers roundtrip coach transport and a guided ride along the Overseas Highway. Both options include the core experience in the price, keeping additional costs to a minimum.
Premium experiences
Private airboat rides in the Everglades range from $83 for a 60-minute tour to $101 for 90 minutes, both with a perfect 5.0-star rating. The Best of Miami combo package starts at $89 and bundles an airboat tour, a Millionaire's Row bay cruise, and an open-top bus tour into one ticket. These options suit travellers who want a more exclusive or comprehensive experience.
What affects the price
Three factors shape cost: group size, whether transport from Miami is included, and the type of vehicle. Shared group airboat tours cost significantly less than private rides. Key West tours vary depending on whether hotel pickup is bundled or you meet at a central departure point. Combo packages cost more upfront but represent better value than booking each activity separately.
Day trips from Miami at a glance
| Destination | From | Rating | Products | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everglades | $19 | 4.3 ★ | 16 | Airboat rides, wildlife |
| Key West | $28 | 3.5 ★ | 6 | Island vibes, scenic drive |
Prices shown are indicative from the GuruWalk catalogue. They may vary by date and availability.
What is included in day trips from Miami
What the price covers
Everglades group tours typically include roundtrip bus transfer from Miami, a guided airboat ride with priority boarding, a wildlife encounter with over 50 rescued animals, and a free group photo at the park. Key West tours include coach transport along the Overseas Highway, an English-speaking guide onboard the bus, and structured free time on the island. No additional fees are charged on most Everglades packages.
What is usually not included
Hotel pickup and drop-off is not standard on most Everglades tours, so you will need to reach the meeting point on your own. Gratuities for guides and drivers are typically not included in the listed price. Key West tours vary by option: some include hotel pickup while others depart from a central location. Checking the specific inclusions before booking avoids surprises on the day.
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Miami
Can you do a day trip from Miami to Key West?
Yes. Several guided bus tours run daily from Miami to Key West, covering the 160-mile Overseas Highway in roughly 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Prices start from $28 per person and include coach transport with an English-speaking guide. You get several hours of free time on the island to explore Duval Street, visit the Hemingway Home or watch the sunset at Mallory Square.
What is the best Everglades tour from Miami?
The most reviewed Everglades tour from Miami has over 2,100 reviews and a 4.3-star rating. It includes roundtrip bus transport, a guided airboat ride with priority boarding, a wildlife encounter with rescued animals, and a free group photo. For a more exclusive experience, private airboat rides are available with a perfect 5.0-star rating, starting from $83 for 60 minutes.
How much does a day trip from Miami cost on average?
Prices range from $19 for a group Everglades airboat tour to $101 for a 90-minute private airboat ride. Key West bus tours start from $28, and multi-stop combo packages that include the Everglades, a bay cruise and a bus tour start from $89. The final cost depends on group size, transport type and whether the tour is shared or private.
Is transport from Miami included in day trips?
Most guided day trips include roundtrip transport by bus or coach from a central Miami meeting point. Everglades tours typically depart from a pickup location in the city, while Key West tours leave early in the morning for the drive south. Hotel pickup is available on some Key West packages depending on the selected option, but it is not standard on most Everglades tours.
What day trips from Miami are best for nature lovers?
The Everglades is the top pick, with 16 tours available that include airboat rides through sawgrass marshes and encounters with alligators, turtles and wading birds. Biscayne National Park is another option, with 95% of the park underwater and opportunities for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours over coral reefs. Key Largo and John Pennekamp State Park offer world-class reef diving about 75 minutes south of Miami.
Do I need to book day trips from Miami in advance?
Advance booking is recommended, especially for Key West bus tours that have limited seats and depart early in the morning. Popular Everglades airboat tours with over 2,000 reviews can sell out on busy weekends and during peak season from December through April. Booking at least a few days ahead secures your preferred date and ensures availability.
Explore all day trips from Miami
More popular day trip destinations
© GuruWalk SL
·····