Travel From Kingston To Ocho Rios 2023? Extensive Guide!

Travel from Kingston to Ocho Rios in Jamaica is neither far, nor difficult!

Whether you prefer to get yourself a rental car, take the bus, or join an organized tour, there are plenty of options to travel from Kingston to Ocho Rios Jamaica, and have fun in Ocho Rios once you get there!

Above is the stunning and famous Emancipation Park in Kingston at night, a photo I took visiting last year!

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Distance From Kingston To Ocho Rios

The distance from Kingston to Ocho Rios in Jamaica is just over 80 kilometers or just over 50 miles.

The drive here will take one and a half hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. The wet season and afternoon showers in the Blue Mountains region in Jamaica can be fierce!

Also if you choose to get a rental car, which gives you a lot of freedom for a road trip, also remember that you will drive on the left side of the road in Jamaica!

Kingston To Ocho Rios Jamaica Map

Rental Car Road Trip From Kingston To Ocho Rios

If you choose to get yourself a rental to do the trip from Kingston to Ocho Rios in Jamaica, that is a great option for the freedom to stop whenever you want, and change your mind and plans whenever you want as well!

You can book a rental car online and arrange a pick-up at Kingston International Airport, or at several locations in Kingston Town

If you don’t have data on your phone in Jamaica, it is probably a good idea to make sure you have a GPS included in your rental. Especially in Kingston Town, there are areas in the city where you are not advised to travel to, on foot, or in a car.

When driving in Kingston, or city zones in Jamaica, also remember to keep the doors of your vehicle locked for security.

Kingston to Ocho Rios via the A1

The first alternative for your road trip to Ocho Rios is heading out of Kingston following the A1 west out of the city to Central Village and Spanish Town, and then heading north along the A1 to Steer Town where you break off to the east – and arrive in Ocho Rios!

It is not a very long drive, and the roads here are quite good!

This trip will take around 1,5 to 2 hours, and you will pass Jamaica’s lowland terrain, the drive is easy, and there are no spectacular sights along the way here.

Road trip to Ocho Rios Across The Blue Mountains

The second option for your road trip is to head north out of Kingston and drive the B1 over the Blue Mountains up to Buff Bay, where you break west and head for Ocho Rios.

This is an incredibly beautiful drive, with lots of viewpoints and various lovely detour possibilities, and there are also several restaurants and bars along this route up there in the mountains!

What you need to know if you do this road trip, is that the roads in the mountains are narrow and steep, and there are twists and turns that are a bit challenging to navigate!

Also, in the Blue Mountains, you need to expect really heavy afternoon showers, that will last for half an hour or an hour or so.

Do as the Jamaican mountain people, drive slowly, and honk the horn fiercely before every turn – ad you will be ok!

Private Transfer From Kingston To Ocho Rios (Or Anywhere)

If you prefer to travel super comfortably and in a done-for-you-way (and don’t mind paying the bucks), get a private transfer!

That will ensure a pick-up wherever you are, at the airport or at your hotel, and you will be delivered to the doorstep exactly where you want to go!

Just lay back and enjoy the ride!

Bus from Kingston To Ocho Rios

In Jamaica, the best bus service to get you around the island is the Knutsford Express, I used them a lot when I traveled Jamaica for over a month.

If you don’t book a rental car, the Knutsford Express is probably the overall best way to travel in Jamaica, combining comfort, price, and itinerary.

The bus service has a variety of routes crisscrossing Jamaica, you can check the Knutsford Express Home Page to research if their departure times suit your plans!

Things To Do In Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios, which is almost straight north of Kingston, is a great place to stay as a starting point for nature adventures, and there is also a rather large cruise port here.

The three most popular activities starting from Ocho Rios are the Dunns River Falls waterfall hike, the Blue Hole adventure park, and Mystic Mountain.

As Ocho Rios is not super far away from Montego Bay, you can reach many of the same activities and sights from both places in a day trip.

The biggest difference between the two is that Ocho Rios is more of a quiet village while Montego Bay has more of a city vibe!

I have listed some of the best tours and activities in Ocho Rios here if you want to do some further research!

Montego Bay also has a cruise port, an international airport, and is the “center point” between Ocho Rios to the east, and Negril to the southwest.

Where To Stay In Ocho Rios

You will find lots of really nice places to stay and holiday homes in Ocho Rios, some along the beach, and others in the hills overlooking Ocho Rios and the cruise port with great views.

There are a few resorts as well, only seconds from the golden city beach.

I stayed for a few nights in this amazing apartment in Columbus Heights, with a spacious terrace with incredible views you can see outside my airy curtains!

There are also a variety of hotels, resort hotels as well as holiday homes along the city beach in Ocho Rios.

Check out the top-rated Moon Palace at the very end of the beach, or the more budget-friendly Sandcastle, also by the beach but a little more to the middle!

FAQs Ocho Rios Jamaica

Here are some of the most common questions asked about Ocho Rios Jamaica answered!

How far is Negril from Ocho Rios?

Negril is situated around 177 kilometers (110 miles) from Ocho Rios, on the southwestern tip of Jamaica. The drive in a car will normally take just over 3 hours, more with a bus service.

From Ocho Rios you will drive westward along the A1, via Montego Bay, to get to Negril.

How far Is Ocho Rios from Montego Bay?

Ocho Rios is around 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Montego Bay, and Montego Bay is situated west of Ocho Rios.

The drive here by car normally will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes, more if you take a bus service.

How Far Is Ocho Rios From Airport?

The closest airport to Ocho Rios is the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, which means around 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.

Wrap-Up Kingston To Ocho Rios

I hope this information about how to get from Kingston to Ocho Rios, a bit about activities and places to stay, and some extra bonus information about other relevant destinations along the northern shores of Jamaica is helpful to you!

Jamaica truly is a one-of-a-kind destination, so enjoy your travel planning!

xoxo/ Hege 🙂

Related blog posts:

13+ Awesome Kingston Jamaica Tours And Attractions (2023)!

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Ocho Rios vs Montego Bay – Which Is Your Jamaica Paradise? (2023)

Beautiful Blue Mountains Private Tour Jamaica (2023)!