Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) sits on the Palisadoes strip just outside Kingston — Jamaica's capital, its business hub, and the gateway to the Blue Mountains. A rental car from Esteem gets you into New Kingston or out to the hills without waiting on a shuttle or negotiating a taxi fare at the curb.
Approximate drive times — actual travel time depends on traffic and road conditions.
It depends on your itinerary, not which airport is "better" — Norman Manley (KIN) suits Kingston, the Blue Mountains, and the east coast; Sangster (MBJ) suits Montego Bay, Negril, and the north coast resorts.
About 30–40 minutes by car depending on traffic, since the airport sits on the Palisadoes peninsula outside the city centre.
Yes — it's one of the most popular day trips from Kingston, and an SUV or 4x4 handles the mountain roads more comfortably than an economy car.