Kingston Getting there & around

Getting around

Public transport

Public transportation

Buses, minibuses and route taxis arrive and depart from the North and South Pdes in downtown, Half Way Tree junction in uptown, and from Papine, at the eastern edge of town off Old Hope Rd.

Kingston’s bus system (Jamaica Urban Transport Co Ltd; 749-3196; fares US$0.35-.50; 5am-10pm) operates a fleet of Mercedes-Benz and Volvo buses, including buses for the disabled. Buses stop only at official stops. For a current schedule, you can telephone the JUTC (888-588-2287).

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Car & motorcycle

Car

Most car-hire companies offer free airport shuttles. Jamaica’s largest and most reputable company, Island Car Rentals (929-5875, in the USA 866-978-5335, in Canada 416-628-8885; www.islandcarrentals.com; 17 Antigua Ave) has its main office in New Kingston, plus an outlet at Norman Manley International Airport (924-8075).

Other companies with offices at Manley airport:

Avis (924-8293; www.avis.com)

Budget (759-1793; www.budget.com)

Hertz (924-8028; www.hertz.com)

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Local transport

Taxi

Taxis are numerous in Kingston except when it rains, when demand skyrockets. Use licensed cabs only (they have red PPV license plates). It’s best to get your hotel call for a trusted driver, otherwise taxi companies are listed in the yellow pages. Fares from New Kingston to downtown are about US$10.

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