Kingston's distances are manageable by taxi for most sightseeing, but the city has no metered taxis — negotiate the fare before you travel. Apps like ECAB and Lynk (Jamaica's Uber alternative) make price transparency easier and are worth downloading on arrival. Route taxis (shared taxis that run fixed routes for a low fixed fare) are how most Kingstonians get around; they are safe and cheap but require knowing the routes.
The city's major attractions cluster in two areas: Uptown (New Kingston, Devon House, Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road, Hope Gardens) and Downtown (National Gallery, Ward Theatre, waterfront, Coronation Market). The two zones are about 5–6 km apart; a taxi between them takes 15–20 minutes outside of rush hour.
Driving a rental car is feasible but Kingston traffic at peak hours (7–9am, 4–7pm) is dense and the road signs are intermittent. For most visitors, taxis and the occasional route taxi provide sufficient coverage.