Airport Bus Service

[tberta.brooks 3]

Hello VJers . . .

This is for my American/Jamaican filers. I am flying to Kingston next month and I am in need of a bus ride from Kingston to Ochie. My man (who has been there all his life) does not know of a service from Kingston to Ochie only from Montago Bay to Ochie. His brother who is a taxi driver will come and pick me up for $16,000 ($200 USD) round trip. I am wondering if anyone knows of another way that is cheaper? I know that the ride is about an 1 1/2 hour but $100 bucks for a pick up/ride seems expensive (greedy) to me . . and I know they try to over charge us Americans . . . My man is extremely poor (does eat sometimes) and can't afford to pay and do not have a vehicle. I calle Juta transportation service and they want extremely more. Any help or suggestions?

[chiquitavaliente 0]

Do they have rental cars at the airport? Just a suggestion...I've never been to Jamaica.

[tberta.brooks 3]

yes, they do have rental cars but anyone who has driven in Jamaica knows that Americans can not drive there . . with any amount of anything . . . I mean they drive CRAZY.

[Calicolom 265]

I have been to Jamaica, taxi drivers were very helpful and not very expensive, your brother in law seems a little greedy.

[Shawna123 1]

100 u.s. Isnt bad...gas does cost more money there. I wouldnt trust the local city bus it is cheaper but the people in kingston know who are from foreign and people are easy to theif them.

[islandgal 74]

Hello VJers . . .

This is for my American/Jamaican filers. I am flying to Kingston next month and I am in need of a bus ride from Kingston to Ochie. My man (who has been there all his life) does not know of a service from Kingston to Ochie only from Montago Bay to Ochie. His brother who is a taxi driver will come and pick me up for $16,000 ($200 USD) round trip. I am wondering if anyone knows of another way that is cheaper? I know that the ride is about an 1 1/2 hour but $100 bucks for a pick up/ride seems expensive (greedy) to me . . and I know they try to over charge us Americans . . . My man is extremely poor (does eat sometimes) and can't afford to pay and do not have a vehicle. I calle Juta transportation service and they want extremely more. Any help or suggestions?

There is a bus service that leaves from New Kingston to Ochie and MoBay... The only problem is you'd have to find your way to New Kingston, which is a 20 minute or so ride (depending on traffic). It's a very nice coach air conditioned bus service. Go to www.knutsfordexpress.com. From New Kingston to Ochie should be around $15. You could possibly call Knutsford to see if they have any options from the airport in Kingston to their bus depot.

[chadobrian 0]

check out knutsfordexpress.com they are a service with class and cheaper ..and they do not stop on the way only to the destination no in between I have taken them to ochi ...it is travelling in style big ac bus with bathrooms and movie and water.

[islandgal 74]

There is a bus service that leaves from New Kingston to Ochie and MoBay... The only problem is you'd have to find your way to New Kingston, which is a 20 minute or so ride (depending on traffic). It's a very nice coach air conditioned bus service. Go to www.knutsfordexpress.com. From New Kingston to Ochie should be around $15. You could possibly call Knutsford to see if they have any options from the airport in Kingston to their bus depot.

Roundtrip on Knutsford is about $34. Again the only issue is getting to and from the airport in Kingston to the actual place where the bus leaves/arrives. $200 is WAY too much and theif! SMH at people who try to take advantage of tourists and visitors.

I visit my man close to every couple of weeks and I take Knutsford most of the times. I've now weaned myself off Knutsford and feel fine again with taking regular bus from MoBay to Ochie, which costs $400JMD ($4.50USD) versus the $15USD that Knutsford charges.

[islandgal 74]

Rent-a-car is not an option, unless you have between $2,000USD - $5,000USD on your credit card for security deposit. Plus the daily rates with all the required insurance amounts to near $80/day PLUS you really have to be skilled to drive in Jamaica. Period. I'm Jamaican and fear the roads there and I've been licensed in the states for many, many years.

[Jamaicancricket 38]

Roundtrip on Knutsford is about $34. Again the only issue is getting to and from the airport in Kingston to the actual place where the bus leaves/arrives. $200 is WAY too much and theif! SMH at people who try to take advantage of tourists and visitors.

I visit my man close to every couple of weeks and I take Knutsford most of the times. I've now weaned myself off Knutsford and feel fine again with taking regular bus from MoBay to Ochie, which costs $400JMD ($4.50USD) versus the $15USD that Knutsford charges.

I'm so jealous that you get to visit every couple of weeks!!!! Dang - very sweeet! Gotta make the time go by fast during this process. It's been MONTHS since I've seen mine! :

[aaydrian 479]

Knutsford express is the one to go with since they are so affordable, provide comfort & entertainment, are on time and safe. Just check out their website for their schedule and cost. Last time I heard you should be able to purchase or atleast book your ticket online. A friend of mine said Knutsford provides airport service but I think that may be from Montego bay to Sangster's Intl since the drop off is so close to the airport but you can call to verify about Norman Namely Intl. If they don't there should be taxis waiting outside Arrival but to ensure transportation to where the shuttle service is located you can have someone send you the #s for several taxis services (eg On Time/El Shaddai). It would be good to find out the terms and conditions of your purchased ticket and luggage cost outside of the free checked one they permit (they work just like an airline). The cost from the airport to your husband's bedroom () should not cost more than $100 USD/$8800 JD. The price your BIL gave is a bit high but not totally outrageous. The price he quoted is comparable to what is charged by taxis to foreigners/locals.

Oh yeah plan carefully how close you want to cut it in terms of your connection ie airport to bus as you need to check in like 20 mins before the bus leaves or else even with a reservation/bought ticket you will loose you seat if they have another buyer. As I said it works just like the airport so same rules apply.

I will never ride in a Coaster bus. Don't trust the drivers and since time is money those selfish heifers will not leave until every last seat has an @ss on it and will drive recklessly on the roads. And God forbid the bus meets in a terrible accident, these drivers and the guy you pay your money to are known to take off while their passengers are seriously injured/dead. But that's just my precautionary step, you're free to take your own.

Edited June 14, 2012 by aaydrian

[Pinkrlion 2,715]

May I ask why didn't you fly into Mobay? A rental car is too expensive, and if you are not accustomed to driving can be scary, especially over that flat rock bridge. Try the bus, I am going to look at that as well for when we need to go to Kingston.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Pinkrlion

[aaydrian 479]

May I ask why didn't you fly into Mobay? A rental car is too expensive, and if you are not accustomed to driving can be scary, especially over that flat rock bridge. Try the bus, I am going to look at that as well for when we need to go to Kingston.

Because she would still be facing the same issues she is now (ie if you're not advising due to flat bridge fear). Reasons she may be flying in via Kingston is because 1) That's the final destination of the only flight she could get at the time or 2) its cheaper to fly into Kingston vs Montego Bay.

[islandgal 74]

I'm so jealous that you get to visit every couple of weeks!!!! Dang - very sweeet! Gotta make the time go by fast during this process. It's been MONTHS since I've seen mine! :

I'm blessed and fortunate to have that privilege of seeing my honey every couple of weeks..... Yes it does help, but still the process is toooooooooooo long!! Lucky for you, your interview is coming up!! Are you going down for it?

[islandgal 74]

Knutsford express is the one to go with since they are so affordable, provide comfort & entertainment, are on time and safe. Just check out their website for their schedule and cost. Last time I heard you should be able to purchase or atleast book your ticket online. A friend of mine said Knutsford provides airport service but I think that may be from Montego bay to Sangster's Intl since the drop off is so close to the airport but you can call to verify about Norman Namely Intl. If they don't there should be taxis waiting outside Arrival but to ensure transportation to where the shuttle service is located you can have someone send you the #s for several taxis services (eg On Time/El Shaddai). It would be good to find out the terms and conditions of your purchased ticket and luggage cost outside of the free checked one they permit (they work just like an airline). The cost from the airport to your husband's bedroom () should not cost more than $100 USD/$8800 JD. The price your BIL gave is a bit high but not totally outrageous. The price he quoted is comparable to what is charged by taxis to foreigners/locals.

Oh yeah plan carefully how close you want to cut it in terms of your connection ie airport to bus as you need to check in like 20 mins before the bus leaves or else even with a reservation/bought ticket you will loose you seat if they have another buyer. As I said it works just like the airport so same rules apply.

I will never ride in a Coaster bus. Don't trust the drivers and since time is money those selfish heifers will not leave until every last seat has an @ss on it and will drive recklessly on the roads. And God forbid the bus meets in a terrible accident, these drivers and the guy you pay your money to are known to take off while their passengers are seriously injured/dead. But that's just my precautionary step, you're free to take your own.

Yes, Knutsford only provides airport transfer service in Montego Bay for an additional $300JMD and you can book online. There is a tiny discount for online booking.