Portland & Port Antonio look fantastic but...

I'm having trouble flying into Kingston with either big $$$, 6-8 hour layovers or very late arrival time being the norm.

MoBay, on the other hand, is real easy to get to.

I know that driving to Portland from Kingston is Plan A but just what should I expect if traveling from MoBay? Is it really that bad or should I look at arrival at MoBay as a reasonable option?

We were in Portie 3 years ago and LOVED it! Get there if you can, we went through Kingston.

Try Timair for at least one way if your flying into Mobay. It cuts 5 hours out of your transfer and it is like getting a sight seeing tour thrown in for free. I believe the fare would not be more than $125.00 or so per person so if the budget allows?

P.S.
Have only been to Portie once and when we were going there we came from Treasure Beach (after staying four nights) and before that Negril so the long drive there was a great adventure (over the highlands, into Kingston and then throught the Blue Mountains to the north coast). The drive from Portie to Mobay was a bummer althought the fact we were going home was probably the main reason. I think it would be probably hard to get off the plane facing another 5-6 hours driving but if you only do the drive one way I think you might enjoy seeing the country.

The road from Mobay to Ocho Rios and a bit beyond is very good, new highway. After around Annotto bay I am told there is alot of construction.

That said, it's a beautiful drive and i love doing it. Expect to pay a private driver around $250 each way though.

I don't think you can fly a little plane into Port Antonio right now, the airport there has been closed.

If you don't have the 6 hours or so, and you have time, consider spending a night partway there.

What is your departure city?

If you can fly into Kingston that would really be your best option. driving from Montego Bay to Portland, although quite a lovely drive, can be tiring. Plus you would essentially lose two days (going and coming) from your vacation. Unless, of course, you decided to make a whole island tour kind of a vacation out of it with stops along the way.

That said, however, the road between Portland and Kingston is under construction. This is the latest information I could find about it- April 14, 2008 :
http://stunner101.blogspot.com/2008/...-recapnot.html

The airport in PA, despite what the 2008 Fodor's In Focus indicates, has been closed for two years or so.