Trinidad and Tobago
Currency in Trinidad and Tobago: what to use and how to exchange
Trinidad and Tobago uses the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD), roughly 6.7–6.8 per US$ (check). Bring some US dollars in cash for arrival, then withdraw TTD from bank ATMs in Port of Spain or Scarborough and pay larger bills by card. Change the plan if your bank adds heavy foreign fees or your card is not accepted.
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GuideTrinidad and Tobago
Key facts
- Currency
- Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD), divided into 100 cents
- Rough ratecheck
- About 6.7–6.8 TTD per US$ (check)
- Best value
- Bank ATMs and card payments beat airport kiosks
- US dollarscheck
- Accepted at some hotels and tour operators, rarely at small shops
- Cardscheck
- Visa and Mastercard work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; smaller places are cash-only
- Airport exchangecheck
- Counters at Piarco and Crown Point; rates are usually the weakest
- Tipping
- 10–15% where no service charge is added
Details
Trinidad and Tobago is a two-island country with one currency. The Trinidad and Tobago dollar is issued by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and is used on both islands, so you do not need to change money again when you take the 25-minute air bridge or the fast ferry between Port of Spain and Tobago.
Notes come in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar denominations, with coins for the smaller amounts. Prices in shops, taxis, roti stands and guesthouses are quoted in TTD. Some hotels, dive shops and tour operators quote in US dollars, especially on Tobago, and will accept USD cash — but the rate they give you is rarely the best one, so treat it as a convenience, not a plan.
The exchange rate moves, and the Central Bank publishes a daily reference rate. As a working figure for 2026, expect roughly 6.7–6.8 TTD per US$ (check). That makes mental maths easy: 100 TTD is about US$15, and a 50 TTD roti lunch is about US$7.50. Check the rate on the day you travel, because a small move changes what a week of meals and taxis costs.
| Situation | What to use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival at Piarco or Crown Point | A small amount of USD cash, or one ATM withdrawal | You need taxi fare and a drink before you reach a bank branch |
| Everyday meals, taxis, markets | TTD cash | Small vendors rarely take cards |
| Hotels, malls, larger restaurants | Visa or Mastercard | Widely accepted; keeps cash needs low |
| Tours and dive shops | Card, or USD cash if quoted that way | Many quote in USD; ask which rate they use |
| Leftover TTD before flying out | Spend it or change it back at a bank | TTD is hard to exchange outside the country |
Summary table
The table below is the short version. Rates and card acceptance change; confirm the current reference rate with the Central Bank before you travel.
| Item | Detail | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD), 100 cents | No |
| Rough rate | About 6.7–6.8 TTD per US$ (2026 estimate) | Yes |
| Best value | Bank ATMs and card payments beat airport kiosks and hotels | No |
| US dollars | Accepted at some hotels and tour operators, rarely at small shops | Yes |
| Cards | Visa and Mastercard in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; smaller places are cash-only | Yes |
| Airport exchange | Counters at Piarco and Crown Point; rates are usually the weakest | Yes |
| Tipping | 10–15% where no service charge is added | No |
| Leftover TTD | Spend it or change it back at a bank before you fly out | No |
Tips
Withdraw in larger amounts to cut per-transaction fees, and use bank-branded ATMs rather than standalone machines in bars or shops. Tell your bank you are travelling so the card is not blocked on arrival.
Carry small TTD notes for taxis, maxi-taxis and market stalls, which often cannot break a 100-dollar note early in the day. Keep a few US dollars as a backup for arrival day, but do not plan to live on them.
TTD is hard to exchange once you leave, so spend or convert leftovers before departure. If you are still deciding how much to bring, work from the daily costs in the budget guide rather than a round number.
- Withdraw larger amounts to reduce fixed ATM fees
- Use bank ATMs, not standalone machines
- Keep small TTD notes for taxis and markets
- Spend or convert leftover TTD before flying out
- Tell your bank your travel dates
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Trinidad and Tobago?
The Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD), divided into 100 cents. It is the only currency on both islands, so you do not need to change money between Trinidad and Tobago. Roughly 6.7–6.8 TTD per US$ in 2026 (check).
Where is the best place to exchange money in Trinidad and Tobago?
Bank branches and bank ATMs in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas and Scarborough give the fairest rates. Airport counters at Piarco and Crown Point are convenient but usually the weakest. Hotels are the most expensive option — use them only for small amounts.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Trinidad and Tobago?
Both. Carry enough TTD cash for taxis, markets and small food places, which are often cash-only, and use a Visa or Mastercard for hotels, malls and larger restaurants. Bring some US dollars as a backup for arrival day.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialCentral Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
- officialVisit Trinidad (official tourism)
- officialTobago Tourism Agency
- secondaryWikivoyage – Trinidad and Tobago