By air: Most visitors fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (MBJ), about 80 km east of Negril. This is the main international gateway for western Jamaica, with direct flights from North America, the UK, and Europe. Negril also has its own small airstrip — Negril Aerodrome (NEG) — which handles charter and light aircraft but no scheduled international flights.
By road from Montego Bay: The journey takes around 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. Options include:
- Shared taxi (route taxi): Cheapest option. Take a route taxi from the Montego Bay transport centre to Savanna-la-Mar, then another to Negril. The journey involves at least one change and can take longer, but costs a fraction of private transfer prices.
- JUTA or hotel transfer: Most hotels can arrange a private transfer from MBJ; JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travellers Association) is the licensed taxi cooperative. Prices are fixed and posted; agree the fare before you get in.
- Rental car: Jamaica drives on the left. The road from Montego Bay follows the north coast to Lucea then cuts south, or you can come via the south coast through Savanna-la-Mar. The north coast route is slightly faster; the south coast route is more scenic.
By bus: Knutsford Express runs air-conditioned coaches between Kingston and Montego Bay, but there is no direct scheduled coach service to Negril. Most people transfer at Montego Bay.