Piarco International Airport is 27 km east of Port of Spain, making the airport-to-city transfer a meaningful expense. Here is what the different options actually cost.
Official airport taxi fares
The taxi stand outside arrivals posts set fares by destination zone. These are not metered — you pay the posted rate, in Trinidad and Tobago Dollars (TTD). The Airports Authority does not publish that fare board online, so this guide does not reproduce it: the rate you will actually be charged is the one posted at the stand on the day. Ask at the taxi desk or the airport information booth for the fare to your destination before you set off, and you will know the price before you get in.
Fixed-price private transfer
POS Port of Spain City Center
From€58for 2 passengers
What is worth knowing is the shape of it. Fares rise with distance from the airport, so Port of Spain (27 km) is the priciest common run and the East-West Corridor towns are progressively cheaper. The fare is for the vehicle, not per person — up to 4 passengers share a standard taxi at the same rate. A night surcharge may apply on late arrivals, so confirm it at the desk.
Pre-booked private transfer
Private transfers are booked online before you travel. The price is fixed and includes flight tracking and waiting time.
- Sedan to Port of Spain: $55–$85 USD
- SUV to Port of Spain: $80–$120 USD
- Sedan to Crown Point, Tobago: Not available by road (Tobago is a separate island)
- Sedan to San Fernando: $100–$150 USD
Private transfers are competitive with official taxis, especially for SUVs or when you factor in the convenience of someone waiting with your name.
Maxi-taxi (shared minibus)
Maxi-taxis are colour-coded by route in Trinidad. The red-band maxis run the east-west corridor from Arima through to Port of Spain, and a ride costs a small fraction of a taxi fare. However, you cannot catch a maxi-taxi inside the airport — you would need to walk to the main road with your luggage, which is not realistic for most travelers, so it is academic for almost all arriving passengers.
What affects pricing
The single biggest variable is your destination's distance from the airport. Port of Spain is the most common destination and the most expensive taxi ride because of the 27 km distance. Destinations along the East-West Corridor (St. Augustine, Tunapuna, Chaguanas) are progressively cheaper.
Traffic does not directly affect taxi fares since they are set rates rather than meters, but it does affect your travel time. Morning rush (7–9 AM) and evening rush (4–7 PM) can double the journey time.
Tipping
Tipping taxi drivers in Trinidad is not mandatory but appreciated. Rounding up by TTD 20–50 is a common practice. For pre-booked transfers, tipping is optional and typically handled in cash at the end of the ride.
Currency exchange
Exchange counters and ATMs are available in the arrivals hall. If you only have USD, some taxi drivers will accept it, but at a poor exchange rate. Getting TTD before you exit the terminal gives you more control over what you pay.