The Airport For Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Travel Guide

what airport for ocho rios jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Caribbean island. There are two major airports in Jamaica: the first being Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, and the second being Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, which is only 10km away from Ocho Rios. Travellers can also fly into Kingston Airport, which is over a 2-hour drive from Ocho Rios.

Characteristics Values
Nearest airport Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA)
Previous name Boscobel Aerodrome
IATA OCJ
ICAO MKBS
Elevation 90 ft (27 m) above mean sea level
Runway 09/27 with an asphalt surface measuring 4,769 ft × 79 ft (1,454 m × 24 m)
Aircraft handled Private and commercial aircraft as large as the Cessna Citation Excel
Facilities Modern terminal, landing lights, fire truck garage, fuelling station, customs and immigration services, passenger lounge, and pilot briefing rooms
Location 6.2 miles (10 km) east of Ocho Rios, in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica
Transfer time 20 minutes
Alternative airport Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay

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Ian Fleming International Airport

IFIA is a small airport, handling private and commercial aircraft and catering to around 20,000 passengers annually. It is not the most highly trafficked airport in Jamaica, but it is a convenient option for those travelling to the north coast of Jamaica, including Ocho Rios, Oracabessa, and Port Antonio. The drive from the airport to Ocho Rios takes approximately 20 minutes.

The airport was previously known as Boscobel Aerodrome and served the United States and other Caribbean islands. It was renovated and reopened as Ian Fleming International Airport in 2011, with the intention of attracting high-end tourism to Jamaica's north coast. The airport features a modern terminal, landing lights, a fire truck garage, and a fuelling station.

Travellers should note that there are limited flight options to Ian Fleming International Airport, and it may be more convenient to fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, which is the busiest airport in Jamaica and a common entry point for travellers. From Sangster International, it takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive to Ocho Rios.

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Sangster International Airport

If you're travelling to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, you have a few airport options. The closest airport to Ocho Rios is Ian Fleming International Airport, located just 6.2 miles (10 km) from the town. However, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is the most common airport for travellers headed to Ocho Rios. It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to travel from Sangster International Airport to Ocho Rios.

If you're travelling to Ocho Rios, you can expect a seamless experience at Sangster International Airport. From there, you can easily arrange transportation to your final destination, whether it's by taxi, shuttle service, or private transfer.

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Domestic airports in Jamaica

Jamaica has three international airports and three domestic airports. The closest airport to Ocho Rios is Ian Fleming International Airport, located in Boscobel, around 9 miles from Ocho Rios. This airport is ideal if you are travelling to certain areas, including Ocho Rios, as it is only a 20-minute drive away.

The other two international airports are Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, which is the busiest airport in Jamaica, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, the capital city.

The three domestic airports in Jamaica are:

  • Tinson Pen Aerodrome in Kingston, the largest of the domestic airports
  • Negril Aerodrome in Negril
  • Ken Jones Aerodrome in Port Antonio, located 10km west of the city

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Airlines that fly to Ocho Rios

There are two airports that are commonly used to access Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The first is Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (MBJ), which is the busiest airport in Jamaica. It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to get from Sangster International Airport to Ocho Rios. The second is Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel (OCJ), which is the newest airport in Jamaica and is located around 9 miles from Ocho Rios.

Several airlines fly into Sangster International Airport, including Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. If you are flying from the United States, American Airlines also offers flights to Ocho Rios, with flights departing from Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. These flights range in price from $522 to $762 for a round trip.

To get to Ian Fleming International Airport, you can fly with American Airlines from Miami. This route offers direct flights, with prices starting at $522 for a round trip.

It is worth noting that flight prices to Ocho Rios vary throughout the year, with the lowest rates for round trips in June. Additionally, choosing a non-stop flight can be more expensive, while routes with connections may be available at a cheaper rate.

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Transfer times from Sangster Airport

The closest airport to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is Ian Fleming International Airport, located just 9 miles from the town. However, this airport mostly serves small airlines, so many travellers opt to fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

The drive time from Sangster Airport to Ocho Rios is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. There are several transfer options for this journey:

  • Private transfer: The fastest and most comfortable option is a private transfer or taxi, which will take about 90 minutes. This option is ideal if you want to reach your destination quickly and comfortably, but it can be pricey. Taxis in Montego Bay don't operate with fixed rates, so be sure to negotiate the price with the driver before you start the ride.
  • Shared shuttle: If you're travelling in a larger group, a shared shuttle service is a good option. This is also available 24/7.
  • Bus: The cheapest option is to take the Knutsford Express bus, which costs $12-19 and takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. The bus departs twice daily, so you'll need to keep an eye on the schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Ian Fleming International Airport is the closest airport to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It is located around 6 to 10 kilometres from Ocho Rios, in Boscobel.

It takes approximately 20 minutes to drive from Ian Fleming International Airport to Ocho Rios.

Ian Fleming International Airport is served by small airlines that fly to other Caribbean countries and sometimes the USA. American Airlines previously announced non-stop flights from Miami to the airport, but the route was postponed until further notice.

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