An Adventure of Many Steps- New to Negril

this was an anwer to "cheap way to get to negril from montego bay airport" or something to that effect.

"ask for a local taxi to the mobay bus park, get out and take the bus to Lucea, get out at bus park and catch the route taxi to Green Island, get out and catch the route taxi to Negril, it's just that easy! " qtd. from kim&betty

How much would we expect to pay for each leg of this trip? (four people)

how realistic is this? anyone ever done it?

Are there any busses from the montego bay bus park to negril/an easier way to do the same thing?

Arriving on Christmas day around 3:30 pm

I always thought $25/person was a bargain to get to Negril from Mobay ... we paid more than that to get from the airport to our condo in Turks & Caicos and it was only a 12 min. drive ... But it never hurts to ask, perhaps there is a less expensive way.

Unless you really have a lot of time on your hands....I would never bother to use the bus/route system from Mobay to Negril. It may be relatively cheap...but it's not convenient unless you know the system well and I'm going to assume you have luggage with you to drag along.
You can hop on a Juta shuttle at the Mobay airport for around $20us per person or why not make it even better & hire a private driver for your group of four at a cost of between $60-$80us depending on the driver you use. Way more freedom with the private transfer.
Here's a list of great drivers.... http://negril.com/transport/

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

It may be relatively cheap...http://negril.com/transport/

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Do you know how cheap?

"ask for a local taxi to the mobay bus park, get out and take the bus to Lucea, get out at bus park and catch the route taxi to Green Island, get out and catch the route taxi to Negril, it's just that easy! " qtd. from kim&betty

I would imagine it's not the most convenient way especially with luggage, but I would like to know what is reasonable/expected to pay for each leg.

Samira,

As quoted directly from the Jamaica Tourist Board site - "(route taxi/bus) vehicles are less comfortable and arrive with less regularity. Buses, minibuses and route taxis are the primary means of transportation for the majority of people on the island, but are recommended only for the more intrepid tourist."

Since this is your first visit to Negril, it may be wiser, easier, more relaxing and more fun to simply hire a driver as Bnewb has pointed out. If you are seriously concerned about the cost of each "leg" of the transportation - then you may not be figuring in the time and hassle involved - after all, time is money, especially when you are paying for each minute of your vacation...

Please check out the link Bnewb provided - there are many great drivers, all are legally licensed and insured and we know them personally. Drop them an email and work out the best deal with one of them. I doubt you will be disappointed!

The total cost for a route trip (excluding the much extra time and inconvenience) would be a bit under us$10. A JUTA shared shuttle is us$20.... the choice is yours. But to be honest - the number of tourists arriving in Negril by the route system is nearly non-existent.

If you want to arrange a group transfer with the others arriving with you - you can do so here and probably end up with a cost comparable to the route taxi price... but again - the choice is yours.

See you soon - stop by one of our webcast party events!

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Originally Posted by SamiraTootie

Do you know how cheap?

"ask for a local taxi to the mobay bus park, get out and take the bus to Lucea, get out at bus park and catch the route taxi to Green Island, get out and catch the route taxi to Negril, it's just that easy! " qtd. from kim&betty

I would imagine it's not the most convenient way especially with luggage, but I would like to know what is reasonable/expected to pay for each leg.

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Found my answer from wikitravel page titled "Montego Bay"
To get to Negril, you'll have to take a bus or route taxi to Lucea. The fare to Lucea is around $100JMD. Where the bus drops you off in Lucea, there will likely be a route-taxi waiting to fill up and take you to Negril. Again, the people hanging around in Lucea can generally be trusted to point you in the right direction. Lucea-Negril was around $200JMD.
That sounds like $300 JMD....wow!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SamiraTootie

Found my answer from wikitravel page titled "Montego Bay"
To get to Negril, you'll have to take a bus or route taxi to Lucea. The fare to Lucea is around $100JMD. Where the bus drops you off in Lucea, there will likely be a route-taxi waiting to fill up and take you to Negril. Again, the people hanging around in Lucea can generally be trusted to point you in the right direction. Lucea-Negril was around $200JMD.
That sounds like $300 JMD....wow!

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What things "sound like" is not always what they really are in my experience:) Good Luck to you if you decide to go that route - pun intended:)

The Wikitravel information is incorrect.

just use clives transport or juta...you may be fortunate enough to get a ticket for the knutsford express.

This seems asinine to me. Get in one vehicle, sit back, relax, drink a beer & enjoy the ride! :)

If this is your first trip to JA, a few things you should know about the route taxi/bus system.
The vehicles are usually regular size automobiles that sit 3 or 4 passengers in the back seat, and 1 in the front seat (not big buses). They have a set route and do not stop for bathroom or beer breaks. They generally drop you off at the roadside of at the designated bus stop. If you know where you want dropped off on the beach road, let the driver know before you get there. If you are staying on the West End/Cliffs, you can ask the driver if he can take you there for additional price (of at least $100 per person). If he can't take you, you will then have to hire another taxi to get to your hotel.

I agree you would be better off with a private taxi (which will cost between $60 & $80 in total for the four of you (and they will likely have a free cold beverage waiting for you in their vehicle) and you will be in Negril in about 90 minutes from the time you leave the airport. Plus the driver will help you with your luggage.

As you are arriving late in the afternoon, it will likely be dark by the time you get to Lucea if you use a route taxi. Make sure you keep you eye on your luggage so it doesn't disappear or get put into a vehicle that you are not travelling in. As there are 4 of you, you may have to wait for a route taxi that has enough room in the vehicle for all of you and your luggage. Also make sure that it is actually a route taxi with a red plate that you get into - route taxi's have their routes painted on the drivers door and always have a red licence plate (which tells you the vehicle is properly licensed and insured to carry passengers).

Route taxi's are a great way to travel short distances without luggage, but they can be exhausting if you have multiple route changes and luggage for several people.

Have a great stay in Jamaica and enjoy to the max!

Trip 35 coming up next week and even me ,being a huge cheapskate, would not bother trying this, Juta, or Clives are a much better plan, or a private driver.

I would just hire a driver. Yes route buses are cheap and effective though unreliable, and I don't how much your traveling with but you may have to purchase an extra seat for your luggage which would double your fare.

SamiraTootie, congrats on choosing Negril for your vacation, I hope you will love it as much as we all do!
Please, please listen to all the advice you have been given here by ALL the other posters. Most of them have been traveling to Jamaica and Negril for many years, a couple actually live there. You will be much more comfortable on your vacation with a private driver or a shared ride (pre arranged).
Also, please forgive me for saying so, but if you NEED to look for a ride to Negril that costs you less than $20 you might want to reconsider spending $$ to go on vacation.

Go with the private drivers Bnewb suggested,you will not be dissapointed and you can relax with a cold Red Stripe or bottle of water and enjoy the scenery.Also if you have never been on the trip from Montegeo Bay to Negril most drivers will give you alot of information and history on the little towns you are going to go through if you wish to learn a little about the awesome island you are going to vacation on.