Tobago's A.N.R. Robinson International Airport is at Crown Point, the southwestern tip of the island. Transfer costs depend almost entirely on where your hotel is. The island is small, but roads are winding and speeds are low.
Zone-based Taxi Fares
Taxis at TAB do not use meters. Instead, fares are based on zones, with official rates posted on a board inside the terminal. Fares are not published online, so confirm the current TTD rate against the board and with the driver before you set off -- do not rely on a fixed figure here.
Fixed-price private transfer
TAB Scarborough City Center
From€60for 2 passengers
Crown Point area (Pigeon Point, Store Bay): The cheapest, closest zone. This is a 5-10 minute drive. Many hotels and guesthouses are in this zone, and the airport is practically walking distance from some.
Bon Accord / Canaan: About 10-15 minutes, the next zone out.
Scarborough: The island's main town, 15-25 minutes from the airport.
Plymouth / Black Rock / Grafton: The western mid-coast, 20-30 minutes.
Castara / Englishman's Bay (north coast): A 45-60 minute drive on winding roads, one of the higher zones.
Speyside / Charlotteville (east coast): The furthest destinations, taking 50-75 minutes, the highest zone.
Pre-booked Private Transfers
Private transfer services charge slightly more than taxi rates but include a meet-and-greet, a confirmed vehicle, and a fixed price. For Crown Point, the premium is small (USD 15-25). For distant destinations like Castara or Speyside, the premium is worth it because finding a taxi driver willing to make the long trip and negotiating a fair price takes effort.
What Affects the Price
Distance is the main factor. There are no tolls on Tobago. Road conditions and journey time play a role -- north coast roads are slower than the main highway to Scarborough. Time of day matters only in the sense that drivers may charge more for late-night trips -- confirm any surcharge with the driver before you set off.
The Trinidad and Tobago dollar is managed within a narrow band against the US dollar; check the current rate before you travel. Having TTD in cash gives you a better deal than paying in US dollars, as drivers tend to apply unfavorable conversion rates.
Is It Cheaper to Share?
Taxi fares at TAB are per vehicle, not per person. A couple pays the same as a solo traveler. Groups of three or four get excellent value per person from either a taxi or a private transfer.