Trinidad and Tobago is a vibrant twin-island nation in the southern Caribbean, famous for its spectacular Carnival, diverse culture blending African, Indian, European, and indigenous influences, and stunning natural beauty from tropical rainforests to pristine beaches. Trinidad offers bustling Port of Spain and the world-renowned Caroni Bird Sanctuary, while Tobago delivers idyllic beaches and world-class diving.
- Public
- PTSC public buses are very cheap but infrequent and complex for visitors. Maxi-taxis (colour-coded minivans) and route taxis are the main public transport for locals.
- Taxi
- Private taxis essential for most tourist travel. No meters — always negotiate fare before entering. InDriver app available in Port of Spain area.
- Rental
- Car rental recommended for independent exploration. Essential in Tobago to reach remote beaches. Drive on the left. International licence required.
- Walking
- Port of Spain city centre and Queen's Park Savannah walkable. Crown Point, Tobago is compact and walkable for beach areas. Most other destinations require transport.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi to Port of Spain: $350-420 TTD ($50-65 USD), 20-30 minutes
- Shuttle
- Airport shuttle: $200-300 TTD ($30-45 USD) shared
- Bus
- Maxi-taxi to Arima then connection: $20 TTD ($3 USD), 1+ hours, complicated for visitors
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Alternatives
trinidad, tobago
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- No meters — negotiate fare before travel. Port of Spain city trips $30-50 TTD ($5-8 USD). Airport to Port of Spain $350-420 TTD ($50-65 USD).
- Apps
- InDriver (limited to Port of Spain), Maxi-taxi apps emerging
- App Names
- InDriver
- Typical Fare
- $35-50 TTD ($5-8 USD) for city trips within Port of Spain
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
PTSC long-distance buses from City Gate bus terminal in Port of Spain to San Fernando $10 TTD, Chaguanas $8 TTD. Slow but very cheap.
Shared
Maxi-taxis serve fixed routes between towns. Port of Spain to Arima $20 TTD, to San Fernando $25 TTD. Flag them down at designated stops.
Flights
Caribbean Airlines flies Trinidad to Tobago multiple times daily — 20 minutes, from $60 USD one-way.
Private
Car hire from $250-500 TTD ($35-75 USD) per day. Best for exploring Trinidad outside Port of Spain.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Piarco International Airport
From centre: 27 km to Port of Spain
Options: Taxi to Port of Spain: $350-420 TTD ($50-65 USD), 20-30 minutes; Airport shuttle: $200-300 TTD ($30-45 USD) shared; Maxi-taxi to Arima then connection: $20 TTD ($3 USD), 1+ hours, complicated for visitors; Car rental: Available from multiple agencies at airport, $250-500 TTD/day ($35-75 USD)
A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (Crown Point)
From centre: 8 km to Scarborough, walking distance to Crown Point hotels
Options: Taxi to Crown Point hotels: $50-100 TTD ($7-15 USD), 5-10 minutes; Taxi to Scarborough: $80-120 TTD ($12-18 USD), 15 minutes; Taxi to Speyside: $400 TTD ($60 USD), 45 minutes; Walking to nearby Crown Point hotels: 10-20 minutes; Car rental: Available at airport, $200-400 TTD/day ($30-60 USD)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
InDriver
Ride-hailing app operating in Port of Spain area. Allows negotiating fares with drivers. More reliable than street taxis for pricing transparency.
Caribbean Airlines app
Book inter-island flights between Trinidad and Tobago. Multiple daily flights, 20-minute journey. Book in advance for best prices.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always negotiate taxi fares before entering the vehicle — there are no meters and tourists often get overcharged
Maxi-taxis are colour-coded by route zone (green for east Trinidad, yellow for south, red band for west) — learn the colour system before using
Rent a car for exploring Tobago — many beaches are inaccessible without your own transport
The inter-island ferry from Port of Spain to Tobago takes 2.5-5 hours. Book in advance especially for Carnival and holiday periods
Caribbean Airlines flies Trinidad to Tobago in 20 minutes — often cheaper and faster than the ferry when booked in advance
InDriver app (similar to Uber) available in Port of Spain for safer, transparent pricing on taxi rides