Frequent service to Marathon is provided by American Eagle out of Miami. Non-stop service out of Tampa is available on USAir. Marathon services a private airport. Connecting service can be made for nearly anywhere in the world.

Airlines servicing the Marathon Airport are:
American Eagle (800) 433-7300
US Air (800) 428-4322

With the completion of the new $7-million passenger terminal building, a new era in Marathon aviation begins. Built during World War II by the Army Air Corps for bomber training, the Marathon airport also serves private aircraft. If you fly your own plane, you'll find a full-service F.B.O. with both jet and aviation fuels, maintenance, tie down, pilot and passenger facilities.

From the north, take the Florida Turnpike south along the east coast down to just below Ft. Lauderdale to Exit 4 - Homestead/Key West. This is the Turnpike Extension that meets US 1 in Florida City, which takes you to Marathon, some 90 minutes south. From the west, come across 1-75 (Alligator Alley) to the Miami exit and south to the Turnpike Extension. From Miami International Airport, take LeJeune Road south to 836 West, going to Turnpike Extension, south to US 1 and to the Keys.

Mile Markers. Often abbreviated as MM, Mile Markers are conveniently located along the Overseas Highway (US1). Appearing on the right shoulder of the road as small green signs with white numbers, the markers begin at Mile Marker 126, just one mile past Florida City on US1.

Major rental car companies will help you quickly begin your tour of paradise. Renting a car here saves the drive from Miami,and the rates are about the same.

Taxi cabs - even a water taxi - whisk you to anyplace you can reach by road or waterway.

Boaters can travel to Marathon either along the Intracoastal Waterways through Florida Bay or along the Atlantic Coast. The Keys are full of marinas that welcome transient visitors. Be sure to make reservations in advance.

Though the area has been settled for some time, Marathon is a relatively new city, incorporated in 1999. The city set its boundaries "from the east end of the Seven Mile Bridge to the west end of Tom's Harbor Bridge".

Among the islands found within the city limits Marathon include Boot Key, Knight Key, Hog Key, Vaca Key, Stirrup Key, Crawl Key, Little Crawl Key, East and West Sister’s Island, Deer Key, Fat Deer Key, Long Point Key, and Grassy Key.

The name Marathon dates back to the origin of the Florida East Coast Railroad. The name came about by the railroad workers who were working night and day to complete the railway – due to the unrelenting pace and struggle to complete the project, many of the workers complained that “this [the project] is getting to be a real Marathon”, and was later used to name the local station along the railroad.