Taxi Service

120–200 TTD gets you to Port of Spain in 30–45 minutes

For first-timers or late-night arrivals at Piarco International (North Terminal), the official Taxi Service is the low-friction option into Port of Spain and nearby suburbs. Typical fares run around 120–200 TTD (about $18–30 USD) to central Port of Spain, with the higher end more common after midnight and on public holidays. The ride takes about 30–45 minutes in light traffic, but weekday morning rush can stretch that to close to an hour.

How the official airport taxis work

The official taxi dispatch booth sits just outside arrivals on the right as you exit customs in the North Terminal. You tell the dispatcher your destination (for example, “Port of Spain, Hilton” or “St. Augustine”) and they quote a fixed fare, which they can write on a slip before assigning you a car. Travellers report paying around 150 TTD at night to Port of Spain, with daytime runs sometimes closer to 120–140 TTD depending on demand.

Step-by-step: getting a taxi from POS

• 1. After landing at POS North Terminal, clear immigration and baggage claim, then exit into the public arrivals hall.
• 2. Ignore the men calling “taxi?” immediately by the doors; reviews say these are unofficial touts.
• 3. Walk straight outside and turn right to the official airport taxi dispatch booth beside the curb.
• 4. Tell the dispatcher your exact destination and ask the price in TT dollars; confirm if the fare covers the whole car, not per person.
• 5. Ask them to write the agreed fare (for example, 150 TTD to Port of Spain) on the slip and keep it with you.
• 6. Once in the taxi, confirm again: “150 TT total to Port of Spain, cash,” before the driver pulls off.
• 7. Pay in cash on arrival; many drivers say their card machine is “down” even when signs show cards accepted.

What regulars do

Frequent visitors say they use the ATM inside arrivals before stepping outside, pulling 200–300 TTD so they have enough for the fare plus a small tip. TripAdvisor regulars mention walking straight past every unsolicited taxi offer and speaking only to the dispatcher at the booth. Some also keep the printed slip with the fare written down so they can push back if a driver tries to add 20–40 TTD on arrival for A/C or a supposed “fast route.”

Watch out for

Reviews consistently mention aggressive touts in the arrivals hall and at the curb, plus a few drivers who try to renegotiate once you’re moving. Card payment is hit-or-miss, even when logos are posted on the car window. When several flights land around 5:00–6:00 a.m., travellers report waits of 20–30 minutes for an official taxi while more cars are called in. One practical tip: change or withdraw at least 200 TTD inside the terminal and agree a single all-in fare at the booth before you get in the car.