Country Guides
Jamaica
Getting Around
Getting Around
Jamaica
Getting Around by Air
Air Jamaica Express (website: www.airjamaica.com) runs scheduled flights between prime resort areas, with regular flights from Kingston to Montego Bay, between Kingston and Ocho Rios, and between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. International Air Link (website: www.intlairlink.com) also operates a shuttle flight between Montego Bay and Negril.
Getting Around by Water
Water taxis, sailing yachts and cruises are offered by numerous tour operators. Boats and yachts can also be chartered on a daily or weekly basis, with or without a captain. Contact the Jamaica Tourist Board for details (see Contact Addresses).
Getting Around by Rail
The nation's state-owned Jamaica Railway Corporation ceased operation in 1992. Just a few lines continue to function, purely for cargo.
Getting Around by Road
A poor road safety record means roads can be dangerous after dark.
Bus: Although reliable services connect Kingston and Montego Bay the rest of the island's bus schedule is patchy. The Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) (tel: 952 0813) is the largest operator of scheduled and unscheduled bus/minibus and vehicle charter services aimed at tourists. Pick up a Discover Jamaica road map from hotels and tourist offices.
Taxi: Rates are per car - not per passenger, with taxis hailed on the street or booked by phone. Technically, most are supposed to have meters, but it's worth agreeing a price for the trip ahead of departure. Fares should be displayed inside the taxi - but add 25% if it's after midnight. Taxis with red plates marked PPV (Public Passenger Vehicle) charge fixed rates with a 10 to 12% tip usually added. Most hotels and resorts have assigned Jamaican Tourist Board (JTB) drivers who carry photo ID and display a prominent blue JTB sticker on the front windscreen.
Car hire: Car hire firms can be found in major towns, hotels and airports and most offer unlimited mileage. A general consumption tax of 15% is applied to all car hire transactions. Drivers must be aged 25 or over. Vehicles drive on the left.
Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 80kph (50mph) outside the main towns. Seat belts must be worn at all times and children under three years must sit in a child seat.
Documentation: Drivers can use a full UK driving licence for up to 12 months.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Most transport in the capital is by private minibus.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Montego Bay to other major cities/towns in Jamaica.
Air Road Kingston 0.30 3.00 Negril 0.20 1.30 Ocho Rios 0.30 2.00 Port Antonio 0.40 4.30
Travel Essentials
Getting Around by Air
Air Jamaica Express (website: www.airjamaica.com) runs scheduled flights between prime resort areas, with regular flights from Kingston to Montego Bay, between Kingston and Ocho Rios, and between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. International Air Link (website: www.intlairlink.com) also operates a shuttle flight between Montego Bay and Negril.
Getting Around by Water
Water taxis, sailing yachts and cruises are offered by numerous tour operators. Boats and yachts can also be chartered on a daily or weekly basis, with or without a captain. Contact the Jamaica Tourist Board for details (see Contact Addresses).
Getting Around by Rail
The nation's state-owned Jamaica Railway Corporation ceased operation in 1992. Just a few lines continue to function, purely for cargo.
Getting Around by Road
A poor road safety record means roads can be dangerous after dark.
Bus: Although reliable services connect Kingston and Montego Bay the rest of the island's bus schedule is patchy. The Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) (tel: 952 0813) is the largest operator of scheduled and unscheduled bus/minibus and vehicle charter services aimed at tourists. Pick up a Discover Jamaica road map from hotels and tourist offices.
Taxi: Rates are per car - not per passenger, with taxis hailed on the street or booked by phone. Technically, most are supposed to have meters, but it's worth agreeing a price for the trip ahead of departure. Fares should be displayed inside the taxi - but add 25% if it's after midnight. Taxis with red plates marked PPV (Public Passenger Vehicle) charge fixed rates with a 10 to 12% tip usually added. Most hotels and resorts have assigned Jamaican Tourist Board (JTB) drivers who carry photo ID and display a prominent blue JTB sticker on the front windscreen.
Car hire: Car hire firms can be found in major towns, hotels and airports and most offer unlimited mileage. A general consumption tax of 15% is applied to all car hire transactions. Drivers must be aged 25 or over. Vehicles drive on the left.
Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 80kph (50mph) outside the main towns. Seat belts must be worn at all times and children under three years must sit in a child seat.
Documentation: Drivers can use a full UK driving licence for up to 12 months.
Bus: Although reliable services connect Kingston and Montego Bay the rest of the island's bus schedule is patchy. The Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) (tel: 952 0813) is the largest operator of scheduled and unscheduled bus/minibus and vehicle charter services aimed at tourists. Pick up a Discover Jamaica road map from hotels and tourist offices.
Taxi: Rates are per car - not per passenger, with taxis hailed on the street or booked by phone. Technically, most are supposed to have meters, but it's worth agreeing a price for the trip ahead of departure. Fares should be displayed inside the taxi - but add 25% if it's after midnight. Taxis with red plates marked PPV (Public Passenger Vehicle) charge fixed rates with a 10 to 12% tip usually added. Most hotels and resorts have assigned Jamaican Tourist Board (JTB) drivers who carry photo ID and display a prominent blue JTB sticker on the front windscreen.
Car hire: Car hire firms can be found in major towns, hotels and airports and most offer unlimited mileage. A general consumption tax of 15% is applied to all car hire transactions. Drivers must be aged 25 or over. Vehicles drive on the left.
Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 80kph (50mph) outside the main towns. Seat belts must be worn at all times and children under three years must sit in a child seat.
Documentation: Drivers can use a full UK driving licence for up to 12 months.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Most transport in the capital is by private minibus.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Montego Bay to other major cities/towns in Jamaica.
| Air | Road | |
| Kingston | 0.30 | 3.00 |
| Negril | 0.20 | 1.30 |
| Ocho Rios | 0.30 | 2.00 |
| Port Antonio | 0.40 | 4.30 |
Travel Essentials
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