Trinidad and Tobago
Getting around Trinidad and Tobago: trains, buses, driving and domestic flights
There is no train. Most visitors fly the 25-minute air bridge or take the 2.5–4 hour fast ferry between Trinidad and Tobago, then use maxi taxis, ride-hailing or a rental car on each island. Rent a car on Tobago; on Trinidad, drive by day or take taxis at night.
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GuideTrinidad and Tobago
Key facts
- Rail
- No passenger trains in Trinidad or Tobago; road, sea and air only
- Trinidad to Tobagocheck
- Air bridge about 25 min (TT$150–200 each way, check) or fast ferry 2.5–4 h (TT$50–75, check)
- Getting around Trinidad
- Maxi taxis TT$5–25, route taxis TT$5–15, PTSC buses TT$2–8
- Getting around Tobago
- Rental car US$50–80 a day; the island loop is doable in a day
- Airport transfer
- Piarco to Port of Spain 30–60 min, about US$30–40 by taxi
- Drive on
- Left side; potholes and flooding are common in the wet season
- Cash
- Maxi and route taxis are cash only; no transit card system
- Night travel
- Use ride-hailing or hotel taxis after dark rather than minibuses
At a glance: which mode for which trip
Trinidad and Tobago is two islands with two different transport problems. Trinidad is bigger, busier and has a real road network with frequent shared transport by day. Tobago is smaller and quieter, with thin bus service outside Scarborough and Crown Point, so a rental car or a hired driver does most of the work.
The inter-island leg is the one decision worth booking early. The air bridge is fast and runs many times a day; the fast ferry is cheaper and slower, and takes vehicles on some sailings. Both sell out around Carnival, Easter and the August holidays.
| Mode | Typical time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bridge (Caribbean Airlines) | About 25 min POS–TAB | About TT$150–200 each way (check) | Short trips, tight schedules, holiday travel |
| Fast ferry (TTIT) | About 2.5–4 h POS–Scarborough | About TT$50–75 each way (check) | Budget travel, taking a car, a scenic crossing |
| Maxi taxi (minibus) | Fixed routes across Trinidad | TT$5–25 | Cheap daytime travel between towns |
| Route taxi ('H' plates) | Short fixed routes | TT$5–15 | Short hops in Port of Spain by day |
| Ride-hailing and hotel taxis | Airport to POS 30–60 min | About US$30–40 from Piarco | Airport runs, nights, luggage |
| Rental car | Tobago loop in a day | US$50–80 a day | Tobago, and Trinidad by day |
| PTSC public bus | City Gate to towns | TT$2–8 | Cheap express runs along main corridors |
Trinidad to Tobago: air bridge or fast ferry
The air bridge is the default for most visitors: a shuttle service between Piarco (POS) and A. N. R. Robinson (TAB) that takes about 25 minutes gate to gate, with many departures a day. Fares sit around TT$150–200 each way (check). It sells out around Carnival, Easter and the August school holidays, and check-in closes early, so book ahead and arrive with time to spare.
The fast ferry run by TTIT takes about 2.5–4 hours between Port of Spain and Scarborough, depending on the vessel, at roughly TT$50–75 each way (check). It is the cheaper option and some boats carry cars, which matters if you want your own vehicle on Tobago. Mechanical problems and heavy swell cause cancellations, so book online and confirm the sailing the day before.
Tobago's airport sits next to the Crown Point hotel strip, so a flight lands you within walking distance of many guesthouses. The ferry terminal in Scarborough is a short taxi ride from most of the island's accommodation.
- Book the air bridge or ferry before you book Tobago accommodation in peak weeks.
- If you need a car on Tobago, check whether your sailing takes vehicles before choosing the ferry.
- Allow a buffer day before an international flight in case a crossing is cancelled.
Getting around Trinidad
Trinidad has no passenger rail service, so everything moves by road. Maxi taxis are the workhorse: minibuses on fixed routes, colour-coded by corridor, running frequently through the day for TT$5–25. Route taxis, shared cars with 'H' plates, cover shorter runs in and around Port of Spain for TT$5–15. Both are cash only and both thin out after dark.
PTSC public buses are the cheapest option, TT$2–8, with express services from the City Gate terminal in Port of Spain to the main towns. Schedules are limited and the buses are not built for heavy luggage, so they suit day trips rather than airport transfers.
For the airport, nights and anywhere unfamiliar, use ride-hailing or a hotel taxi. Piarco to Port of Spain takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic and costs about US$30–40. Agree the fare before you get into a street taxi, and confirm the plate of any app car before you get in.
Driving yourself is possible in Trinidad by day, but traffic in Port of Spain is heavy, potholes and wet-season flooding are common, and you should not leave anything visible in a parked car. Drive on the left.
| Route type | Mode | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Spain to Chaguanas | Maxi taxi or PTSC bus | TT$5–25 maxi; TT$2–8 bus | Frequent by day; cash only on maxis |
| Port of Spain to San Fernando | Maxi taxi or express bus | TT$5–25 maxi; TT$2–8 bus | The main south corridor; allow extra time in rush hour |
| Piarco airport to Port of Spain | Taxi or ride-hailing | About US$30–40 | 30–60 min; the safest option with luggage |
| Short hops in Port of Spain | Route taxi ('H' plate) | TT$5–15 | Daytime only; avoid unlicensed 'PH' cars |
Getting around Tobago
Tobago rewards a rental car. The island is small enough to loop in a day, and a car gets you to the beaches, bays and villages that buses and taxis reach slowly or not at all. Expect US$50–80 a day, drive on the left, and watch for potholes and flooding in the wet season.
If you would rather not drive, base yourself around Crown Point or Scarborough, where guesthouses, restaurants and beaches are close together, and hire a driver for day trips. Taxis are plentiful near the airport and the main hotel strip but scarce on the quieter side of the island.
Public buses on Tobago are cheap but infrequent, with limited service outside the Scarborough–Crown Point corridor. Treat them as a backup rather than a plan.
Practical notes
Cash matters. Maxi taxis, route taxis and many small operators take cash only, so carry small TT dollar notes. There is no transit card or day pass system for visitors; you pay per ride.
Much of Trinidad shuts on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and on Sundays, which affects bus frequencies, shop hours and taxi availability. Plan around those days rather than through them.
For connectivity on the move, a local SIM or eSIM makes ride-hailing and ferry bookings much easier. See the money and SIM pages linked below.
- Carry small notes for maxis and route taxis.
- Avoid minibuses after dark; use ride-hailing or a hotel taxi.
- Check ferry and air bridge schedules the day before travel.
- Do not leave bags or valuables in a parked car.
Costs, tickets and passes
There is no national transport pass for visitors. You buy each journey separately: cash on maxis and route taxis, tickets online or at the terminal for the fast ferry, and a normal airline booking for the air bridge.
Rough daily transport budgets: TT$20–50 for a day of maxi and route taxis in Trinidad, TT$2–8 per PTSC bus ride, US$50–80 a day for a rental car, and about US$30–40 for the airport taxi run. The inter-island crossing adds TT$50–200 each way depending on mode (check).
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maxi taxi ride | TT$5–25 | Cash only, pay the conductor |
| Route taxi ride | TT$5–15 | Short fixed routes, daytime |
| PTSC bus ride | TT$2–8 | City Gate to towns; limited schedules |
| Airport taxi, Piarco to POS | About US$30–40 | 30–60 min depending on traffic |
| Rental car | US$50–80 a day | Book ahead in peak season |
| Air bridge, POS–TAB | About TT$150–200 each way (check) | Book early for holidays |
| Fast ferry, POS–Scarborough | About TT$50–75 each way (check) | Some sailings take cars |
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Trinidad and Tobago?
Between the islands, fly the 25-minute air bridge or take the 2.5–4 hour fast ferry. On Trinidad, use maxi taxis and ride-hailing by day and taxis at night. On Tobago, a rental car is the most practical way to reach beaches and villages.
Do I need a car in Trinidad and Tobago?
On Tobago, yes for most itineraries: buses are infrequent outside Scarborough and Crown Point. On Trinidad you can manage with maxi taxis, PTSC buses and ride-hailing, though a car helps for day trips outside Port of Spain.
Are there rail or bus passes for Trinidad and Tobago?
There is no passenger rail service and no visitor transit pass. You pay per journey: cash on maxis and route taxis, TT$2–8 per PTSC bus ride, and a separate ticket for the fast ferry or air bridge.
How long does it take to get from Trinidad to Tobago?
The air bridge takes about 25 minutes from Piarco to A. N. R. Robinson. The fast ferry takes about 2.5–4 hours between Port of Spain and Scarborough, depending on the vessel. Both can sell out in peak weeks.
Is it safe to use public transport in Trinidad and Tobago?
Maxi taxis and buses are widely used by locals during the day. Avoid minibuses after dark and in unfamiliar areas, and use ride-hailing or a hotel taxi at night. Unlicensed 'PH' cars offering rides should be avoided.
Can I take a rental car between Trinidad and Tobago?
Only on ferry sailings that carry vehicles, and you must check the rental company's cross-island policy in advance. Most visitors rent separately on each island instead.
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