- I'm a Florida local who tried Key West's Conch Tour Train for the first time.
- The train took me past famous Key West landmarks and residential parts of the island.
- The ride was fun, pretty comfortable, informative, and under $50.
I've lived in South Florida for nearly eight years, and I've visited Key West a handful of times since I moved here.
Every time I go to the island, I try to do something different, and on my most recent trip, I rode the famous Conch Tour Train.
My ticket for an hourlong ride cost $44 and some change. You can buy tickets at the window, but I booked in advance online.
Here's what I loved about it and why I think it's an awesome attraction for first-time and return visitors to the Conch Republic.
The train depot is easy to find.
Key West is fairly easy to navigate, and the train depot for this tour is right by Mallory Square, one of the most popular parts of the island.
It's also located within walking distance of the cruise port and the lot where day trip buses typically drop off visitors.
I appreciated how punctual the tour was, and we left right on time.
If you're visiting Key West on a day trip from Miami or as a stop on a cruise, you could easily fit this hourlong tour into your itinerary.
The train was pretty comfortable.
I was glad we sat on padded seats instead of a wooden bench, but I wish the backrests had been a little higher for even more comfort.
We had a rest stop in the middle of the tour where we could get out and stretch our legs, so that helped make the trip more comfortable.
I enjoyed seeing Key West's highlights.
There's a lot to see on Key West, and this train ride goes through the island's most notable attractions.
We started near the port on Front Street and drove all around Old Town, passing by popular spots like the Hemingway Home and Museum, Sloppy Joe's, the Southernmost Point buoy, and the beach.
If you're new to the island and want to get your bearings before exploring on your own, this is a great way to do it.
The train passes through residential neighborhoods, too.
Even though I've been to Key West a few times, I never did much exploring in the island's residential neighborhoods.
However, on the train, we drove through Bahama Village, one of the places where Bahamian immigrants first lived when they relocated to the island, as well as some other residential neighborhoods.
The architecture was beautiful, and I learned some interesting facts about Key West's early years and residents.
This was cooler than walking around the island, and I learned a lot on the tour.
Even though Key West is pretty small, many of the island's most popular attractions are spaced out.
The first time I went to Key West in the summer, walking around the island all day was sweaty and uncomfortable. If you want to see Duval Street, Mallory Square, and the Southernmost Point buoy, you won't get as hot riding the Conch Tour Train as you would exploring the island on foot.
I also appreciated how educational the experience was. I've taken different tours to Key West and know basic information about the island because I live in Florida, and I still learned a lot on this trip.
The tour guide did an excellent job combining general information about the island with niche facts about Key West's history, architecture, and culture.
The tour made me appreciate the island more and gave me ideas for my next trip.
I left with this experience a deeper appreciation of the island and the people who live there.
Plus, the Conch Tour Train gave me some great ideas for what I want to do on my next trip to Key West. Our guide shared suggestions for the best restaurants around the island, so I want to explore the local food scene a little more when I go back.
My tour ticket also came with free entry to the Sails to Rails Museum and two free walking tours. I didn't get to do them on this trip, but I'd love to try them on my next visit.
