Norman Manley International Airport serves Kingston, Jamaica's capital, approximately 19 km from the city center.
It is the main access point for visitors to the capital, the Blue Mountains, and the southern part of the island, less touristy but more authentic than the north coast.
How to get to Norman Manley International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to KIN
Parking near Norman Manley International Airport
The official parking area is located in front of the terminal.
Rates are generally reasonable compared to international standards.
How to get to Kingston from KIN
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Norman Manley International Airport
The arrivals area hosts desks of the main car rental brands.
Bring your driving license, passport, and credit card; a valid foreign license is generally accepted for a limited period.
Hotels near Norman Manley International Airport
Harbour View
About 10 minutes by car from the terminal, right at the foot of the raised Palisadoes road leading to the airport.
Best for: Short layovers and early-morning flights, when you want to stay as close as possible to the terminal without tackling the road to New Kingston.
- The closest residential neighbourhood to the airport, handy for anyone arriving or leaving at inconvenient hours
- Close to the beaches on Kingston's eastern coast, convenient for a last morning before the flight
- A residential neighbourhood, far from the restaurants and evening life of New Kingston
- Reaching the business district or the waterfront still takes 25-40 minutes by taxi
New Kingston
About 25 minutes by car from the airport under normal conditions, but the capital's traffic can push it to 45 minutes at peak times.
Best for: Business trips and anyone who wants the neighbourhood with the capital's highest concentration of international hotels, restaurants and offices.
- Emancipation Park, the Bob Marley Museum and the National Arena all within a couple of kilometres
- The capital's highest concentration of international chain hotels, with restaurants and banks within walking distance
- It's the area farthest from the airport among those in this guide
- Traffic on Windward Road and Mountain View Avenue can make the transfer unpredictable at peak times
Recommended hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica In the heart of New Kingston, on Park Close; the Caribbean's first Courtyard by Marriott hotel, about 25 km from the airport. View availability
- Platinum22 - Across From AC Marriott Hotel Apartment right across from the AC Hotel by Marriott on Lady Musgrave Road, in New Kingston's so-called 'golden triangle'. View availability
Historic downtown waterfront
About 16 km from the airport, 15-25 minutes by car along Ocean Boulevard.
Best for: Anyone who wants the art-gallery district on Kingston's harbour, closer to the airport than New Kingston but still far from Harbour View.
- Overlooking Kingston's harbour, a short walk from the National Gallery of Jamaica
- An up-and-coming district, with galleries and venues newer than those of the New Kingston business area
- The historic centre empties out early in the evening outside the hotel area
- Reaching the restaurants and nightlife of New Kingston still takes a 10-15 minute taxi ride
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is compact in size compared to Sangster, consistent with lower tourist traffic to Kingston compared to the north coast.
Those flying with international flights should calculate 2-3 hours in advance.
Map of Norman Manley International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it better to land in Kingston or Montego Bay?
It depends on your destination: for the north coast beach resorts (Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios), Sangster (MBJ) is better; to visit the capital, the Bob Marley Museum or the Blue Mountains, Norman Manley (KIN) is better.
Q. Can you visit the Blue Mountains in a day from Kingston?
Yes, they're about an hour's drive away: many tours include a visit to a Blue Mountain coffee plantation, among the most prized and expensive in the world.
Q. Is Kingston safe for tourists?
The central and touristy areas are generally fine with normal precautions, but some outlying areas have high crime rates: prefer authorized taxis and find out which areas to avoid.
Q. How much does a taxi cost from Norman Manley to downtown Kingston?
Roughly 25-35 USD with the fixed rates of authorized taxis (JUTA), to be agreed at the counter before departure.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
