You can get around Montego Bay by Montego Bay Metro bus, shared route taxi, private charter taxi, airport transfer, rental car or on foot for short trips around the Hip Strip. A shared route taxi charges each passenger a J$132 base plus J$8.64 per kilometre since July 1, 2026, while Montego Bay Metro adult bus fares range from J$80 to J$120 on published routes, as of October 2026. Private taxis and transfers are priced per vehicle, so arrange the total fare, meeting point and luggage space before you travel.
Choose the service that fits your trip
Montego Bay has different transport choices for different kinds of trips. A local commuter travelling between communities may use a route taxi or scheduled bus. A family arriving with suitcases may prefer the airport taxi desk or a pre-arranged transfer. A group travelling to Rose Hall, Ironshore or several stops may need the whole vehicle. If you are heading on to the west coast, see getting around Negril by taxi, route taxi and rental.
Walking works well for some short trips along Gloucester Avenue and the Hip Strip. Nearby hotels, restaurants, beaches and attractions may be close enough to reach on foot. For a meal on the strip, see restaurants on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay. Walking is less practical for trips to Rose Hall, Ironshore, the airport, the transport centre or an address outside the main hotel areas.
For longer travel in the parish, the St. James transport operators directory includes businesses arranging taxis, airport transfers, rentals, charters and other services. A trip to Falmouth follows a route into Trelawny, where you can also compare Trelawny transport operators.
Montego Bay Metro buses
Montego Bay Metro publishes five main routes:
- Cambridge
- Falmouth
- Goodwill
- Mackfield
- Sandy Bay
These are scheduled public buses operated by Montego Bay Metro. They are not JUTC routes. The operator publishes route pages, fares and some timetables.
Published adult fares are stage fares charged per passenger, as of October 2026.
The Cambridge route page lists departures from Montego Bay at 5:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., with additional school-related trips. The Mackfield route is listed as Bus 21. Use the operator’s current route page for the departure details that match your day.
Montego Bay Metro also publishes concession fares for students and senior citizens. If your trip depends on a particular departure, check the route timetable and departure point before setting out.
JUTC’s Route 620Ex links the Montego Bay Bus Park with Half-Way Tree in Kingston, and JUTC plans to expand its Montego Bay operations. For trips within Montego Bay, Montego Bay Metro is the published local bus service.
Route taxis for shared trips
A route taxi carries separate-paying passengers along a designated route. The Transport Authority describes route taxis as vehicles with ten seats or fewer that may stop along the route to pick up and set down passengers.
You pay per passenger, one way, on the designated route. That fare is different from a private-car price. It does not include exclusive use of the vehicle, waiting time, a special luggage arrangement or extra stops.
Since July 1, 2026, a route taxi charges each passenger a J$132 base plus J$8.64 per kilometre, one way, with route fares rounded. Tell the driver your destination and ask for the fare before boarding. Your correct vehicle still depends on your exact pickup point and drop-off. A hotel, villa or side road may sit away from the main route, so ask which taxi reaches your destination, where you should get off and whether the taxi stops at the entrance or only on the main road.
For a wider explanation of shared taxis, fares and route etiquette, see Route Taxis in Jamaica: How They Work and How to Use Them, and for current rates across the island, Jamaica taxi fares in 2026.
Charter taxis and private transfers
A charter taxi or contract vehicle is hired privately for the whole vehicle. This suits airport arrivals, families with children, groups with luggage, late trips, several stops or an exact hotel address.
At Sangster International Airport, JUTA and JCAL share the authorised airport taxi desk outside Customs. MBJ lists both companies and the airport taxi location. If you arrive by air, use the desk to arrange the airport taxi and settle the total price before leaving the terminal area.
A private service may quote in JMD, USD or another currency. The quote can be per vehicle, one way or return. Ask for the currency and unit clearly, then include the exact pickup point, destination, passenger count and luggage in the request.
A private transfer from the airport may include flight monitoring, waiting time, hotel drop-off or a fixed vehicle. Those details belong to the operator’s quote. They are not included in the shared route-taxi fare.
For a comparison between a private airport ride and a shared or street taxi, see Airport Transfer or Taxi in Jamaica: Which One Fits Your Trip.
Where to start in Montego Bay
The Montego Bay Transport Centre is on or near Howard Cooke Boulevard in downtown Montego Bay. The Transport Authority’s taxi-association listing gives a Montego Bay association address at Shop 53, Peoples Arcade, Howard Cooke Boulevard. For the ship terminal, see Montego Bay cruise port taxis and transport from the terminal.
At the centre, ask the dispatcher:
- Which taxi goes to your exact destination?
- Is it a route taxi or a private charter?
- What is the fare per passenger?
- Where should you get off?
- Is your destination printed on the vehicle’s route?
- Does the taxi stop at the hotel entrance or on the main road?
Route taxis serve the airport, Flankers, Ironshore and Rose Hall among other areas. Departure bays and local arrangements can change, so ask for the current stand and route when you arrive at the centre.
For airport arrivals, the authorised taxi desk is outside Customs at Sangster International Airport. Ask the desk for the total fare to your hotel before you leave the airport, especially if your destination is in Ironshore, Rose Hall, downtown or along the Hip Strip. If you land hungry, here is where to eat near Sangster International Airport.
How to identify a route taxi
The Transport Authority says route taxis must have red PPV licence plates, “Route Taxi” written on the doors and the route printed clearly on the front doors. They also have a roof globe marked “Taxi” and a black-and-white horizontal checkered pattern.
The driver’s required items include a Transport Authority Driver Identification Card in the vehicle, a Transport Authority identification badge, an approved uniform, a PPV driver’s licence and an electronic monitoring device.
Hackney carriages have red PPV plates, a roof globe marked “Taxi”, a black-and-yellow checkered pattern, a Transport Authority Driver Identification Card, a driver identification badge and fare information displayed on the front doors.
The Transport Authority advises passengers to use vehicles with red public-passenger-vehicle plates and a current light-blue Transport Authority sticker on the windshield. You can record the plate number, route and location if you need to report suspected overcharging or illegal operation.
Families, groups and mobility needs
Tell the operator how many adults and children are travelling, then give the number and size of your bags. A four-seat taxi may carry approximately four bags or small suitcases, while a ten-seat minivan has about double the luggage capacity, according to JUTA’s airport-transfer information. A larger passenger count does not always mean more room for luggage.
Request child or baby seats before travel. State the child’s age and the number and type of seats required. JUTA says child seats can be provided for most vehicles when requested, although availability may be limited during peak periods. Some private operators list child seats as an optional booking request or include them without charge.
If a passenger uses a wheelchair or mobility equipment, ask these exact questions:
- Is the vehicle wheelchair-accessible?
- Can the passenger remain seated in the wheelchair during travel?
- Is there a ramp or lift?
- How will the wheelchair be secured?
- What are the folded and unfolded wheelchair dimensions?
- How many companions and bags can travel with the wheelchair user?
- Is the accessible vehicle available for the requested date and time?
Ken’s Wheelchair Service and Tours publishes an airport-transfer vehicle for one wheelchair passenger, up to five companions and luggage. Jamaica Villa Transportation publishes a wheelchair-transfer option using a portable ramp and a van carrying the wheelchair passenger, five people and luggage.
Before paying for a private service, settle the exact vehicle, equipment and capacity in writing.
What to settle before a private ride
Give the operator the information needed to price the trip correctly, as listed below.
- Flight number and arrival or departure date.
- Passenger count, including children.
- Number, size and type of luggage.
- Child-seat or baby-seat requirements.
- Wheelchair or mobility-equipment requirements.
- Exact hotel, villa, business or street address.
- Pickup location and meeting point.
- Total fare and currency.
- Whether the price is per vehicle, per passenger, one way or return.
- Waiting time if a flight is late.
- Charges for extra stops, tolls, luggage, late-night service or waiting.
- Payment method and when payment is due.
- Driver name, vehicle description and contact number.
- Cancellation, amendment and no-show terms.
This information matters most when you are travelling from Sangster International Airport, meeting a cruise passenger, carrying children, or arranging transport for a group. A price for one vehicle is not the same as a price per passenger, and a one-way fare is not the same as a return fare.
Uber and app-based rides
Uber currently advertises ride requests in Montego Bay. Its Montego Bay page says you can request a ride through the app, reserve up to 30 days ahead and choose UberXL for groups of up to six people. Availability and pricing appear in the app and can vary by location, traffic and vehicle supply.
Jamaica’s regulatory position also matters. In February 2024, the Transport Authority said there was no agreement between Uber and Montego Bay contract-carriage groups and stated that vehicles carrying passengers for a fee must have the required road licence, with drivers displaying a Transport Authority badge. In June 2024, the transport minister said the government was working on a regulatory framework for ride-hailing services.
Before using the app, check the pickup instructions at Sangster International Airport, the vehicle and driver details shown in the app, the displayed currency, luggage capacity and whether the ride can meet your child-seat or accessibility requirements. The Uber in Jamaica: Taxi Apps and How to Get a Ride page gives more detail on app-based transport.
Roads and airport service after Hurricane Melissa
Sangster International Airport closed during Hurricane Melissa on October 26, 2025. MBJ announced preparations for limited commercial flights from 7:00 a.m. on November 1, 2025. Relief flights began on October 30, and commercial operations resumed on November 1. By December 13, 2025, the transport minister said all Airports Authority-managed airports had returned to normal operations.
The National Works Agency reported on December 15, 2025 that all 32 affected roads in St. James had two lanes open, with none blocked. In February 2026, the agency warned that roadways around central Montego Bay were undergoing patching and local rehabilitation, with delays possible during the six-week programme.
For a current trip, check your flight with the airline and MBJ. Ask about airport access and pickup instructions, and check road conditions with the National Works Agency if your route uses a repaired corridor. Bus and taxi operations can be confirmed with the operator or Transport Authority.
Common questions
How much are taxis in Montego Bay?
Shared route taxis use regulated fares charged per passenger, one way, on a designated route. Since July 1, 2026, the rate is a J$132 base plus J$8.64 per kilometre, so ask the driver for the fare to your destination before boarding. Private taxis and airport transfers have separate prices quoted per vehicle or by another agreed unit.
Can I Uber in Montego Bay?
Yes, Uber advertises ride requests in Montego Bay, and UberXL is listed for groups of up to six people. Check current in-app availability, airport pickup instructions, the displayed fare and the vehicle’s Jamaican authorisation before accepting the ride.
Is there a bus in Montego Bay?
Yes. Montego Bay Metro publishes bus routes to Cambridge, Falmouth, Goodwill, Mackfield and Sandy Bay. Adult fares published as of October 2026 range from J$80 to J$120 on the listed stages, and the routes are separate from JUTC services.
How do you get around Montego Bay without a car?
Walk around nearby Hip Strip and Gloucester Avenue destinations, use Montego Bay Metro for a published bus route, or take a route taxi for a shared trip along a designated route. Use the airport taxi desk, a charter taxi or a pre-arranged transfer when you have luggage, children, mobility equipment, an exact address or several stops.
To find transport operators where you are travelling, start from the parish directory.