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.
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.
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″.
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 Air France, JetBlue, Delta and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Crystal River departs from Atlanta and takes around 1h 24m.
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 $9 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Winter Park, expect to pay about $9 for a 2h 45m trip.
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 ADDCAR RENTAL and Hertz, among others, in Orlando.
You can travel by bus to Crystal River using RedCoach or FlixBus. From Fort Myers, the bus ride to Crystal River takes 125 miles and will cost you around $50. From Fort Lauderdale, the ticket costs about $50 for a journey of 260 miles.
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 Holiday Inn Express Crystal River and The Port Hotel and Marina.
Renting a car in Crystal River costs $50 per day, on average, or $100 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, 21% more expensive than at Tampa.
Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. Compact (Hyundai Tucson or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Crystal River, while also 39% cheaper than other types, on average.