I fly into Kingson Airport and want to get toTB. How can I do it using public transportation
Cheers
Harry
Pray
Harry, I always arrive in MoBay, so I can't give you the details, but at least some rough information. Maybe someone else can correct me if I'm giving you the wrong information... The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) operates a public bus service between the airport and Kingston's City Centre. The bus station for the mini busses is in Kingston Downtown, so you might have to take a taxi from the city centre to the mini bus station (be aware that you should not go downtown if you arrive in the evening!). To get to TB you'll have to take a mini bus to Spanish town, from there travel on to Mandleville (via Freetown and May Pen). From Mandleville you have to go on to Black River, but you might need to do so by travelling to Santa Cruz first (the last time I was in Mandleville there was no direct mini bus/route taxi to Black River). In Black River you can take a route taxi to TB. The whole trip will take you quite a while, and if you're not the adventurous type I'd rather recommend you to hire a driver (even though this is much more expensive). You can either negotiate a price with some of the drivers at the airport, or contact Treasure Tours (see "Transport" on this homepage )and have it arranged in advance.
In case you're in Jamaica for the first time, here are some tipps when using the mini buses:
-Keep your luckage on your lap; if you put it next to you, you'll probably be charged for two persons, since you're "waisting" one seat :-)
-Sometimes the mini bus drivers try to make you pay more, therefore it's helpful to ask one of the local passengers for the "official" price during your ride from A to B.
I wish you a safe trip!
Harry,my best advice is to hire a private transportation or rent one.If you don't know the route it can be very confusing,as there are so many differnt routes the public transp.have .Another thing they can be very aggressive and not very helpful,every one is trying to get a load so therefore they'll just pick you up leave you at there last stop.You can't be mad it's the work and there's a lot of competition.Safe journey.
Harry, I just saw that there's already another thread on this site where the same issue's been discussed, so maybe taking a look at the thread "Public trans from Kingston vs Montego Bay" dated from "June 05 - 04:13 pm" will be helpful to you!
Kicki,
You said you arrive through Mo. Bay. May I ask your suggestions for getting from the airport there to Treasure Beach. We will be vacationing there mid-August and do not know the area well.
Thanks!
I suggest you change your ticket to Mo Bay.Why didn't the Travel Agent advise you? I suppose it's a case of if you don't ask you don't get.For a few extra dollars it's not worth booking to Kingston if the sole purpose of your journey is to visit TB.
canadian couple, there is lots of pickup services. call one of the resorts they will help you. sunset resorts hotel and villas will be happy to help. good luck
HARRY PLEASE TAKE THE ADVISE WE ARE GIVING YOU AND GET SOMEONE TO PICK YOU UP AT THE AIR PORT IN KINGSTON.UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE I WOULD SUGGEST YOU TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FROM AIRPORT ALL THE WAY TO TREASURE BEACH.I AM FROM JAMAICA AND WOULD NEVER EVER IN MY WILDEST DREAM THINK OF TRAVELLING IN THAT MANNER.
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIES AHEAD OF YOU IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MIND SO PLEASE--PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE FETCH YOU ON YOUR ARRIVAL IN JAMAICA.
GOOD LUCK.
You are getting very good advice. Hire a driver (in advance, through the guest house or villa)
Hi Canadian couple,
if you want to take the mini bus from MoBay to TB, first take a taxi from the airport to the mini bus station downtown (make sure you fix a price before getting into the taxi). From there you have to take the mini bus to Savann La Mar (drivers will be walking around shouting "SAV"). From Savann La Mar you change to the mini bus going to Black River, from there take a route taxi to TB. The ride is ok, but if you take the public transport make sure if you don't have too much luggage. Depending on how long you stay we might meet in TB, since I'll be arriving there at the beginning of September :-))
Have a safe trip!
Canadian couple if you have made reservation with a villa in Treasure Beach please make arrangement with them to have a driver pick you up at the air port. Better safe than sorry.
Harry, many flights stop in Montego Bay first before going on to Kingston, or leave off passengers in Kingston and go on to Mo Bay. Check your travel agent. Also post your arrival date and time here and perhaps someone reading this will ride share with you. Kingston to Treasure Beach on pubic transport takes several hours and the last taxi out of Black River is at 6pm (and none on Sundays) so if you decide to brave it, be sure you give it the better part of a day. Best of luck.
Many thanks for the great advice. We have decided to arrange a driver to pick us up.
Can't wait to start our vacation!
Thanks for all your replies and help.
I am arriving in Kingston on Fri 1st Sep from the UK at 15.30. I will be travelling throughout Latin America for 8 months and am keen not to spend too much money in Jamaica. I also keen not to get into dodgy situations too!
I am travelling alone and would like to share a taxi with anyone who is going towards Treasure Beach or Mandeville or even Spanish Town.
Please contact me if you are interested or if you can give an idea of the price taxis cost.
Thanks Harry