Best Airport Options For Sandals Royal Caribbean

which airport for sandals royal caribbean

Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island is located in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The nearest airport is Sangster International Airport (MBJ), which is 2.1 miles from the resort. The resort provides a free airport shuttle service. Another option is the Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel (OCJ), which is around 9 miles from Ocho Rios.

Characteristics Values
Location Montego Bay, Jamaica
Nearest Airport Sangster International Airport (MBJ)
Other Nearby Airports Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ), Norman Manley International Airport (KIN)
Distance from Sangster International Airport 2.1 miles
Travel Time from Sangster International Airport Less than 10 minutes
Travel Time from Kingston 2 hours
Shuttle Service Free airport shuttle service
Other Transportation Options Private transfer

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Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay

Sangster International Airport (IATA: MBJ, ICAO: MKJS) is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Montego Bay, Jamaica. It is the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica, serving around nine million passengers annually. The airport is run by MBJ Airports Limited, whose leading stakeholder is Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, with minority ownership by Vantage Airport Group. It was privatised and handed over by the Airports Authority of Jamaica to the consortium in 2003.

The airport is named after former Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster. It first opened in 1936, initially functioning as a small aerodrome run by Pan American Airways (later Pan Am) until 30 September 1949, when the Jamaican government took control. Over the years, the growth in air traffic necessitated several upgrades, including the relocation of the terminal building from the northern to the southern side of the runway. In 2005, a new eastern concourse was added, and phase two, originally scheduled for the end of 2006, was accelerated due to favourable economic conditions and increasing tourism to Jamaica.

Sangster International Airport is the closest airport to Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort, located less than 10 minutes away by car. A shuttle transfer is provided by the resort, ensuring convenient ground transportation for travellers. Additionally, the Club Mobay Arrival Service at the airport assists with expediting the immigration and customs process, enhancing the overall travel experience.

When planning a departure from Sangster International Airport, it is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight time to account for any potential delays. This ensures a smooth and stress-free departure from Jamaica.

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Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel

The Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, is located around 6 to 9 miles from Ocho Rios. It is named after Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels, whose Goldeneye estate is located in the same parish. The airport was previously known as Boscobel Aerodrome and was a limited-service facility that processed about 20,000 passengers annually.

The airport was opened on 12 January 2011 by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who acknowledged the controversy surrounding the renaming of the airport. Some locals felt that a prominent Jamaican should have been honoured instead of the British Ian Fleming. However, Prime Minister Golding explained that Ian Fleming gave Jamaica "an image much larger than it would otherwise have had". The airport was intended to handle small jets, international arrivals, and attract high-end tourism to Jamaica's north coast, including Ocho Rios, Oracabessa, and Port Antonio.

As the newest international airport in Jamaica, Ian Fleming International Airport is not the most highly trafficked. However, it is a great option for those heading to certain areas, such as Ocho Rios, which is just a 20-minute drive from the airport.

For those travelling to the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort and Private Island in Montego Bay, the closest airport is Sangster International Airport (MBJ), which is less than a 10-minute transfer. However, if you are travelling from the opposite end of the island, you may find it more convenient to fly into Ian Fleming International Airport and take a shuttle transfer to the resort.

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Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston

Norman Manley International Airport (IATA: KIN, ICAO: MKJP) is an international airport serving Kingston, Jamaica. It is located 19 km (12 mi) south of New Kingston, on the Palisadoes tombolo in outer Kingston Harbour, with the city on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It is named after Jamaican statesman Norman Manley.

Norman Manley International Airport is the second busiest airport in Jamaica, after Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Over 130 international flights depart from the airport each week, serving around 629,400 arriving passengers in 2020 and 830,500 in 2021. The airport is a hub for Caribbean Airlines and was previously the hub for Air Jamaica until the airline ceased operations in 2015.

The airport was established in 1948 as Palisadoes Airport and was renamed in honour of Norman Manley. It was featured in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). In October 1968, a Vickers Viscount of Cubana de Aviación was hijacked on its way to Miami International Airport, Florida, and landed at Palisadoes Airport, where the captain requested political asylum.

Travellers to Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort and Private Island in Montego Bay typically opt for Sangster International Airport due to its closer proximity to the resort. However, Norman Manley International Airport can also be considered, especially for those headed to the southeastern coast of Jamaica or areas such as Ocho Rios. Shuttle transfers are provided by Sandals from both airports to the resort.

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Direct flights from the US

Sandals Royal Caribbean is located in Mahoe Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica. The closest airport is Sangster International Airport (MBJ), located just 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away from the resort. This airport is served by direct flights from several cities in the US, including New York City, Philadelphia, Newark, Baltimore, Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, and Houston.

If you are travelling from the West Coast of the US, you may need to take a connecting flight. However, there are still plenty of options for direct flights from the West Coast to Jamaica. Airlines that operate direct flights to Jamaica include American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Southwest, and JetBlue.

Once you arrive at Sangster International Airport, you can take advantage of the Club Mobay Arrival Service, which can save you time when going through immigration and customs. After that, you will go to the Sandals Airport Lounge or transfer desk. Sandals will then provide a complimentary shuttle transfer to the resort, which takes less than 10 minutes.

If you are staying in a butler-level room, you can inform the staff about any personal preferences before you arrive. Sandals will also hold your luggage for you if you arrive before check-in or if your flight departs later in the day, so you can make the most of your time in Jamaica.

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Round trip airport transfers

Sandals Royal Caribbean is located in the Montego Bay area, so Sangster International Airport (MBJ) is the most convenient airport option. A shuttle transfer is provided from the airport, ensuring ground transportation is covered for your journey to the resort.

Round-trip airport transfers are available for guests staying in the Overwater Villas and Bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean. These guests can enjoy complimentary private transfers to and from Sangster International Airport in a luxury vehicle.

If you are not staying in the Overwater Villas or Bungalows, you can still book private round-trip airport transfers through companies such as Jamaica Quest Tours. These transfers offer a stress-free travel experience with professional and helpful drivers.

Additionally, you can opt for the Fast Track Service for $50 per person. This service provides a dedicated meet-and-greet at the airport, allowing you to skip the long lines at immigration and customs for a smoother arrival and departure experience.

When booking your round-trip airport transfers, be sure to consider the time required for immigration and customs clearance, which can take 30 minutes to over an hour. Sandals also recommends arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your departure flight.

Frequently asked questions

The closest airport to Sandals Royal Caribbean is Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay. A shuttle transfer is provided from the airport, and the journey to the resort takes less than 10 minutes.

Yes, you could also fly into Kingston, which is further away and will take around 2 hours to get to the resort. Another option is the Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, which is the newest airport in Jamaica.

Sandals Royal Caribbean offers a free airport shuttle service from Montego Bay airport. If you are flying into Kingston, you can contact Sandals representatives to discuss your options.

The best time to visit is during the low season in July when there are fewer crowds, and you can better enjoy the resort's amenities and surroundings.

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