Crystal River travel guide
Crystal River Tourism | Crystal River Guide
You're Going to Love Crystal River
With a population of 3,108, Crystal River is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Crystal River deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Where to Eat in Crystal River
If you’re looking for affordable options, Bayside Kraft Kitchen (224 U.S. Hwy 19) and Waterfront Social (1610 SE Paradise Cir) are great picks.
When to visit Crystal River
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Crystal River in July, when the average temperature is 82.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 89.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 51.8 °F, with an average temperature of 59 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in July, when precipitation is around 7.1″. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in Crystal River, with an average rainfall of 2″.
How to Get to Crystal River
Plane
Although Crystal River doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Tampa Airport (TPA), which is located 64 miles from Crystal River. Tampa Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Crystal River departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 03m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Crystal River. The train journey from Crystal River to Orlando takes 2h 08m and costs around $13 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Winter Park, expect to pay about $13 for a 2h 45m trip.
Car
Another option to get to Crystal River is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 78 miles from Crystal River. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Hertz, among others, in Orlando.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Crystal River, including RedCoach, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Orlando, the bus ride to Crystal River takes 100 miles and will cost you around $13. From Sky Lake, the ticket costs about $14 for a journey of 135 miles.
Airlines serving Crystal River
Where to stay in Crystal River
Average rates range from around $299 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $197 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hampton Inn Crystal River, FL and Holiday Inn Express Crystal River.
Where to stay in popular areas of Crystal River
Most booked hotels in Crystal River
Renting a car in Crystal River
Renting a car in Crystal River costs $51 per day, on average, or $103 if you want to rent if for 2 days.
You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 22% more expensive than at Tampa.
Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Crystal River (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Crystal River is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Fiat 500L or similar) are, on average, 48% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.