Overview
Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean's liveliest twin-island republic, sitting off the Venezuelan coast at the southern edge of the region. Trinidad is cosmopolitan and energetic — home to Port of Spain, the world-famous Carnival and the birthplace of steelpan and calypso — while Tobago is its quiet neighbour of rainforest, reefs and near-empty beaches. It makes a rewarding long-haul trip for UK travellers who want a Caribbean island with genuine local life rather than a resort bubble. For current fares, see the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Trinidad and Tobago
The dry season, roughly January to May, brings the most dependable sunshine. The wet season from June to December sees short, heavy showers rather than washouts, and generally lower fares. The islands lie south of the main hurricane belt and are rarely hit directly, though September and October can be wet. Demand and prices peak around Carnival in February or March, so plan early and check the When to book chart above.
Main gateway cities & airports
There are two international airports. Piarco International (POS), about 25 km east of Port of Spain, is the main gateway to Trinidad and the hub for onward travel. ANR Robinson International (TAB) at Crown Point serves Tobago and sits minutes from its main beaches and guesthouses. Most UK visitors arrive into Piarco and connect to Tobago from there.
Airlines and routes
Caribbean Airlines, the national carrier, flies non-stop from London Gatwick to Port of Spain, and British Airways also serves the Gatwick route, with some flights making a short stop in the eastern Caribbean. Non-stop flying time is around 10 hours outbound and a little quicker home. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other UK airports you will normally connect — via London, via Amsterdam with KLM, or through North American hubs such as New York, Miami or Toronto — with total journeys of 14 hours or more. There is no direct UK service to Tobago, so the usual route is Caribbean Airlines' 20-minute inter-island air bridge from Port of Spain.
Popular places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago
- Port of Spain: Trinidad's capital, with the Queen's Park Savannah, lively markets and the beating heart of Carnival.
- Maracas Bay: Trinidad's best-loved beach, reached by a scenic drive over the Northern Range and famous for shark-and-bake.
- Caroni Bird Sanctuary: evening boat trips through the mangroves to watch scarlet ibis, the national bird, fly in to roost.
- Pigeon Point & Buccoo Reef, Tobago: a postcard beach with glass-bottom-boat snorkelling over the reef and the shallow Nylon Pool.
- Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago: the western hemisphere's oldest protected rainforest, superb for birdwatching and waterfalls.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Trinidad and Tobago
- Travel in the wet-season shoulder months (June to early December) and avoid UK school holidays for the lowest fares.
- If you are not going for Carnival, steer clear of the fortnight around it; if you are, book six to twelve months ahead.
- Compare the non-stop Gatwick flights with one-stop routings through Amsterdam or the US, which can work out cheaper from regional airports.
- Set a fare alert and use the price charts on this page to buy when prices dip.
Travel essentials
Visa: UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days; carry proof of onward or return travel and a passport valid for the length of your trip. Currency: the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD); cards are accepted in hotels and larger businesses, but keep cash for markets and maxi-taxis, and US dollars are often taken in Tobago. When to book: aim for three to six months ahead, and longer for Carnival — use the When to book chart above to time your purchase.
