Speyside runs and Charlotteville dives are easiest with your own wheels
Local car rentals at A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB) suit repeat Tobago visitors, divers with gear, and villa renters who plan to hit both coasts rather than sit in Crown Point. Most providers are small outfits like Sheppy's, Kerr's, Andy's, or Hess, not the big global brands. Cars usually meet you curbside or just outside the arrivals hall, so you walk 1–3 minutes from baggage claim to the vehicle instead of taking a shuttle.
Rates vary a lot by company, season, and transmission type, and regulars say you often confirm the total via email or WhatsApp rather than a booking engine. Some posters report back-and-forth messages to pin down insurance and excess, with quotes changing by several hundred TTD between firms. If you need an automatic car in January, Easter, or August school holidays, assume you should book at least a few weeks before your TAB arrival.
Pickup is usually at the terminal on arrival, with the agent meeting you in the small arrivals area and walking you to a car parked nearby within about 5 minutes. One TripAdvisor regular says they “always rent a car on Tobago” and grab it right at the airport, then return it in the same spot before departure. Fuel is bought locally in Trinidad & Tobago dollars, and many renters report paying cash to settle the balance instead of using a card machine.
Driving is on the left in Tobago, with some east-coast and hill roads narrow, winding, and poorly lit, especially toward Speyside and Charlotteville, where night driving can feel intense after a 5+ hour flight. Expect slower speeds than mainland standards; a run from the airport to Speyside can easily take 1.5–2 hours. Several travellers mention cars showing their age—faded paint, small dents, or loose trim—so plan 10 extra minutes at pickup to photograph every panel and note all existing marks on the form.
Step-by-step: arranging a local rental at TAB
- 1. Research 2–3 companies: Look up names like Sheppy's, Kerr's, Andy's, or Hess at least 2–4 weeks before your flight, especially if you want an automatic or a larger vehicle.
- 2. Message directly: Use email or WhatsApp to request dates, car type (manual vs automatic), and rough mileage plans, then ask for a full quote in TTD including insurance, excess, and any airport delivery fee.
- 3. Lock in the details: Confirm your flight number, arrival time at TAB, mobile contact, and meeting point in the arrivals hall; ask the agent to send the car’s plate number or description the day before.
- 4. Inspect at pickup: At the airport, walk around the car with the agent, take at least 8–10 photos and a short video, check headlights and wipers, and confirm fuel policy and return time.
- 5. Drive day-one conservatively: For a late arrival after 18:00, stick to closer areas like Crown Point or Scarborough and leave the 1.5–2 hour Speyside or Charlotteville run for daylight.
- 6. Return at the terminal: Agree on a handover time at least 2 hours before departure, meet the agent outside departures, do a quick walkaround, and settle any remaining balance in cash or by card as pre-arranged.
One final tip: once you find a reliable local company at TAB, save their WhatsApp number and reuse them on future trips; regulars report smoother pricing and faster replies from firms that know them.