Travelling around Trinidad and Tobago takes ingenuity and patience. Public transport is minimal, so an unofficial, private system of route taxis, maxi taxis and private taxis fills the gaps. If you wish to see more than the urban areas, however, it is advisable to rent a car .
By bus
Though the small network of
public buses has improved in recent years through the introduction of rural buses in Trinidad and an expansion of Tobago's services, public transport remains erratic, with most buses clustered around peak hours.
Tickets cost around TT$2-10 and must be bought in advance from the Port of Spain and Scarborough bus terminals or from small general stores around the country. All buses in Trinidad leave and terminate at
City Gate/South Quay in Port of Spain. In
Tobago , all buses depart from the terminal on Greenside Street in Scarborough.
By car
Tobago's roads are much quieter than Trinidad's; the main hazards are blind corners and cows by the roadside. Road signs are based on the English system (although distances and speed limits are in kilometres), and you must drive on the left. Petrol stations are scarce outside urban areas, it's wise to keep the tank full. Car rental starts at US$35 per day in Trinidad and US$50 in Tobago. Thrifty is the only major international chain on both islands, though there are many local firms. Econo Cars (191-193 Western Main Rd, Cocorite tel 868/669-1119, econocar@trinidad.net ) is the least expensive in Trinidad, while in Tobago, Sherman's (Lambeau tel 868/639-2292, shermans@trinidad.net ) is the most reliable, and Baird's (Crown Point tel 868/639-2528) rents jeeps, motorbikes and scooters. All companies require you to be 25 or over and to have held a driving licence for a minimum of two years, and require a credit card imprint.
By taxi
Maxi taxis are private minibuses taking ten to twenty people, with set routes and standardized fares ($TT2-10) but no set timetables. An entertaining experience, for the dιcor, the music and the conversation, maxis are organized by region and have colour-coded stripes relating to the area in which they work. Yellow (Port of Spain to the Western Tip), red (the east) and green (central and south) commute between Port of Spain and outlying towns, while black (Princes Town), brown (San Fernando to the southwest peninsula) and blue (Tobago) work within their own areas. Routes radiate from main centres; you can board anywhere - just stick out your hand to be picked up. Route taxis follow similar rules, but take a maximum of five passengers and are slightly more expensive. Private taxis take you directly to your destination alone, but are as expensive as a British or US cab; always agree on the price beforehand.
Inter-island transport
For those wishing to travel between Trinidad and Tobago , there are two options: by ferry, slow and on rough seas but inexpensive (TT$50-60; tel 868/625-4906 or 623-2901), and by plane, which is quick but pricier. The boat leaves once daily from Port of Spain and Scarborough and takes five to six hours. BWIA operates seven to ten flights per day, with the trip lasting thirty minutes (US$24/TT$150 one-way and US$48/TT$300 round-trip; tel 868/627-2942, ).
