Flying vs Ferry: Best Way to Travel Between Trinidad & Tobago (My Experience)

You’ve done the hard work: booked your flight to Trinidad, convinced yourself that you’re ready for the twin-island life, and maybe even figured out accommodation options in Tobago. But then you hit the roadblock: how the heck do I get from Trinidad to Tobago? What’s better, flying or ferry?

How to get from Trinidad to Tobago

Well, you’re not alone. When we recently planned our own escape to the smaller, more relaxed half of the republic, we did the same deep dive. We googled how to travel between Trinidad and Tobago, only to find a mix of outdated advice, broken websites, and sources I wasn’t sure we could rely on.

Here are the 2 main travel options you have: you can fly over the water in about 25 minutes (ended up being 15 for us), or you can cruise across it via ferry in 3-5 hours.

We did both journeys – my partner taking the ferry while I took the flight – and realised they both have their own quirks, price tags, and potential headaches.

Short answer on best way to travel between Trinidad and Tobago: it depends. One might suit you better depending on your budget, timing, and what you appreciate the most on your travel.

This post is your complete, transparent breakdown of the Trinidad to Tobago journey. We’re comparing the domestic flight vs inter-island ferry side by side, so you can start planning which beach to hit first instead.

If you’re still considering your general itinerary, first find out the best ways to get to Tobago from US, UK or other Caribbean islands.

Flying Between Trinidad and Tobago: What to Expect

What you need to know about Trinidad-Tobago Flight

Flights between Trinidad and Tobago are offered by Caribbean Airlines, the state-owned airline and flag carrier of Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica.

Flights operate from Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain (POS) Trinidad to ANR Robinson International Airport (TAB) in Tobago and vice versa. The airport in Tobago is located near Crown Point area, very close to the beach.

Estimated flight time of the Trinidad-Tobago flight is only 25 minutes, but read on for my actual experience (spoiler: it was the shortest flight I have ever taken)

Caribbean Airlines Booking Process and Tips

The booking process is quite simple, like booking any other flight. Head on to the Caribbean Airlines website to search and book your flights.  When displaying available flights results, the website will only display flights that have seats available.

When booking online, we paid for our flights using an international card. There were no issues during the payment process, and the Caribbean Airlines website runs pretty flawlessly.

Trinidad to Tobago Flight: How much is it and what’s the baggage allowance

The price of a flight between Tobago and Trinidad on Caribbean is USD 30 or roughly £23. I believe this is a fixed price, with no dynamic pricing. Even when I booked just a few days prior to my flight, there was no markup, just USD 30.

On domestic flights between Trinidad and Tobago, checked bag allowance includes 1 free bag. Additional bags are charged at TTD 3.00/kg – roughly $0.44/kg so you’re looking at $10 for a 23 kg suitcase.

Tips from My Trinidad & Tobago Flight Experience

Booking and Check-in

I had an amazing experience flying between Trinidad and Tobago on Caribbean Airlines. The booking process was seamless; it was very refreshing being charged a fixed price no matter how late I booked. And I high key loved Caribbean Airlines hummingbird livery, how beautiful!

During the booking process, I accidentally made a spelling error on my name. I was worried about paying to do a name change, but alas, no problem at all – no one mentioned it (or no one noticed…)

On my incoming flight, we landed from London earlier than expected and I was looking at a long connection time in Port of Spain. However, I decided to pass by the check-in kiosks and a kind Caribbean Airlines staff member put me on an earlier flight (which had been previously delayed). Alas, having a quicker connection to Tobago was a big relief after a full day flight from London.

Port of Spain and TOBAGO ANR Robinson Airports

Both the Port of Spain and Tobago ANR Robinson airports are small and easy to get around. The Port of Spain airport has a lovely food court (before the entrance gates) where you can grab a welcome/last meal: fried chicken, last-minute doubles, cocktails etc. Security at both airports is fast, took less than 30 minutes. At the Tobago airport, they allow you to bring in big bottles of water i.e. you are not constrained by the 100ml liquid policy, phew.

Like any other airport, you want to keep track of your gates. In my outgoing flight from Trinidad, our gate was changed last-minute, and I almost missed the announcement.

Both of my Trinidad and Tobago flights ran late, one by 3 hours and the other by about an hour. If you are connecting via Trinidad for an onward flight, I recommend allowing extra connection time in case you end up delayed. However, as soon as the planes came in, the boarding process was exceptionally smooth and very quick.

For international passengers, you need to show your passport and boarding pass – both digital and paper boarding passes worked for me. For locals, they accept an ID as your form of identification.

How long is the flight between Trinidad and Tobago

The flight between the two islands is so short. Even though the schedule says 25 minutes, the actual flight time was closer to 15 – 20 minutes. This is the record for the shortest flight I have ever taken! The plane also flies low, at about 7000 feet above sea level. There isn’t enough time to even unbuckle your seatbelt or the usual flight toutine.

I was lucky that the check-in system somehow automatically assigned me window seats because the flight offers a nice view of the islands. You want to try grab a window seat.

Is there a Taxi Service at Trinidad and Tobago Airports

You can find taxis at both the Port of Spain and Tobago airports. In Tobago, they are readily available outside the arrivals area, and you can negotiate prices.

A Complete Guide to the Trinidad-Tobago Inter-Island Ferry

Trinidad & Tobago inter-island Ferry: Ports, How long it takes and Ferry Frequency

The Trinidad and Tobago inter-island ferry service operates between the Port of Spain Terminal (Port of Spain Ferry Terminal Building, Wrightson Road) and Tobago Terminal (Port of Scarborough, 2-4 Carrington Street, Scarborough).

Ferries complete the 20-mile journey between Trinidad and Tobago in 3 to 3.5 hours. Typically, there are 2 ferries a day departing both Scarborough and Port of Spain: one in the morning at 6:30 and another in the evening around 4:00 pm. Except Wednesdays when there is one passenger vessel in operation, departing Scarborough at 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Port of Spain.

The full updated schedule is available here : Schedule – Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Company Ltd

How to book the Trinidad and Tobago Ferry

Tickets can be purchased either online or in person.

Getting tickets on the Trinidad & Tobago Inter-Island Transportation website is simple. This is the official website: Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Company Ltd – Bringing Trinidad & Tobago even closer.

You’ll select your route and date, choose from the available sailing times and create an account to book. You need to double-check which ferry times allows tickets to be bought (you can’t buy tickets for all listed times). In our case, the online timetable did not match the actual departures. After entering your passenger details, you can pay by card and download your e-ticket instantly. Keep the ticket (digital or printed) handy, as you’ll show it multiple times during the check-in and boarding process.

The ferry can sell out during high season times, so booking online might be safer to guarantee your spot.

If booking the ferry in person, the process is straightforward, but there are a few quirks to be aware of. Online schedules don’t always match what’s running on the day – my listed departure suggested multiple options, but there was only one 6:30 AM ferry. On arrival at the Port of Spain terminal, you’re handed a small queue slip from an attendant who asks for your name, surname and the ferry you’re taking. This slip gets you into the main payment line where you’ll settle your fare (cash or card) and show your passport.

How much is the Trinidad-Tobago Ferry, and is it worth it

The inter-island ferry is one of the best-value ways to travel between Trinidad and Tobago. A standard ticket costs 75 TTD, making it significantly cheaper than flying, and still a comfortable experience. Some (limited) vessels also offer premium seating for 150 TTD, which gives you access to a quieter section and a bit more comfort. For most travellers, the regular fare is perfectly sufficient – but if you prefer extra space or a calmer environment, the upgrade can be worth it.

If you’re bringing a vehicle, then price is 146.73 TTD for a one-way journey or 246.58 TTD for a return journey. In this case, you are better off booking online since vessels have a limited car capacity.

Tips from Our Experience taking the Ferry from Trinidad to Tobago

boarding the ferry in port of spain

Once I had my boarding ticket, there’s a separate check-in area where passports are verified again. You can check in luggage here if you need to, I only had cabin bags. After that comes another ticket check, followed by heading upstairs to security where bags go through an X-ray machine. When you finally clear this, you’re directed into a large waiting hall with seating areas marked from Section 1 to 8. These sections matter – your section determines the order of boarding.

The ferry service recommends arriving at least 2 hours as check in closes 45 minutes before departure. Honestly, arriving 30 minutes before departure would have been enough for the early ferry I took. Most of the process moves steadily once you’re inside.

What the Trinidad & Tobago Inter-Island Ferry was really like

Inside the ferry, the seating is unassigned, airplane-style, and surprisingly comfortable with enough space for bags. Boarding in section order makes the process calmer than it looks. Because I came about an hour early, the first six sections were already packed, but I still ended up with a window seat. The catch: the windows were fogged over, so don’t bank on clear views unless you’re lucky.

There’s a small kiosk run by a warm “auntie” serving drinks, snacks and nuts – handy if you didn’t grab breakfast. There’s no Wi-Fi on board, but the ride itself is smooth. It’s listed as four hours, though my crossing took about 3.5.

Air-conditioning runs lightly, but the sun pours in through the windows, and the heat builds up if you’re on the wrong side. If you want the best scenery, sit toward the front or on the left-hand side of the boat: you’ll catch glimpses of Venezuela on the way out of Port of Spain and sweeping views of Tobago as you arrive. The right side mostly faces Trinidad’s coastline.

Overall, the ferry was an okay experience getting to Tobago. Roughly 3 – 3. 5 hours, affordable and good view of the islands.

Trinidad to Tobago Side by Side Comparison of Flying vs Ferry

	Flight	Ferry
Price	30 USD	11 USD (75 TTD)
Duration	15 – 25 minutes	3 – 3.5 hours
Baggage Allowance	1 bag free, additional bags at 3 TTD/kg	Large/heavy suitcases can be checked in – no limit officially mentioned

Should you Fly or Take the Ferry between Trinidad and Tobago?

Choose the FLIGHT if….

• You are connecting directly from an international flight
• You are on a quick trip or have limited time
• You value speed and convenience

Choose the Ferry if:

• You are on a tight budget and prefer to save money
• You need to bring a car across the islands
• You don’t mind a 3 – 4 hour journey
• You want to see the island view from the water

Closing Thoughts

Ultimately, your choice of whether to fly or take the ferry between Trinidad and Tobago depends on how much time you have, your budget and what you value. I hope the detailed information here has helped you make the best choice.

Now that you know how to get to Tobago, check out our other guides on things to do in Tobago and getting Around Tobago (Hint: you don’t need a car).