Getting to Kingston
Most international tourists will have to reach Jamaica by air, either by landing at the international airport at Montego Bay or at Kingstons Norman Manley International Airport. Passengers arriving at Montego Bay must take a bus or hire a car to commute to Kingston, which is about a 4-hour drive.
By car
There are several car rental agencies all over Jamaica including Hertz, Argus, Avis and others. Jamaica has a good coastal highway that links to all the main tourist destinations. There is now a road linking Negril to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios to Kingston before it heads east and then west. Drivers in Jamaica drive on the left side of the road.
By bus
Jamaica has an extensive bus network linking every part of the island. Several buses and coaches commute between Kingston and all the major areas in Jamaica. The Knutsford Express, a luxury bus service, takes approximately 4 hours to commute between Kingston and Montego Bay. There are also several other bus services, but these may take longer according to how many stops there are on the way.
By air
Kingstons Norman Manley International Airport is located about 30 minutes drive from the business and tourist district at New Kingston. The airport is usually very busy, as it handles numerous international and domestic flights daily. International airlines that land here include Air Canada, British Airways, American Airlines, Cayman Airways and several other airlines.
Facilities at the airport are excellent, with money exchange counters, ATMs, porter service, car rental offices, information services and facilities for physically challenged passengers including lifts, ramps and adapted toilets. There are several retail outlets and duty-free shopping is available in the Departures lounge. Also available at the airport are internet facilities, special bag wrapping services and several venues for dining.
Buses and taxis shuttle passengers into the city and are easily available, although passengers may prefer to rent a car at the airport.
Taxis
It is recommended that visitors only use licenced cabs, which can be identified by their red PPV number plates, or route taxis, which bear the words Route Taxi on their doors and they also have red licence plates.
Taxis are easily available in Kingston and many wait outside popular tourist destinations and hotels. Route Taxis, usually station wagons, are another option for getting around, but these usually pick up as many people as possible along the way.