How to get to Trinidad & Tobago

Though they don’t get as many budget services as more touristic Caribbean islands, Trinidad and Tobago are served by regular international flights from the UK, US and Canada, as well as South and Central America and the rest of the Caribbean. And because Trinidad and Tobago are linked by inexpensive twenty-minute domestic services, it’s worth researching flights to both islands, even if you only plan on spending time on one of them.

If you’re planning to visit just Tobago, booking a package might be your best option. There are legions of specialist companies who can arrange these, often at a lower rate than you’d get booking flight and accommodation independently. As Trinidad is less geared towards tourists, there are fewer deals available beyond birdwatching or Carnival packages, though Tobago-oriented companies sometimes give the option for a few days in Trinidad.

Fares peak during the winter high season (Dec–March) and before and after Carnival (see Getting there), and also rise during the summer school holidays.

Flights from the US and Canada

To Trinidad, national carrier Caribbean Airlines fly from Miami (7 weekly), New York (21 weekly), Toronto (up to 21 weekly), Orlando (1 weekly) and Fort Lauderdale (7 weekly). American Airlines operate twice-daily nonstop flights from Miami, while United fly from Newark (5 weekly) and Houston (7 weekly). Budget carrier Jet Blue also offers daily flights from New York and Fort Lauderdale.

To Tobago, Caribbean Airlines operate direct flights from New York three times a week (Thurs, Fri & Sun).

High-season fares from Miami average at around US$550; low-season fares are around US$100 less. Add around US$100 if you’re connecting from other US cities or flying direct from Atlanta. From Canada, you’ll pay around Can$600 in low season, Can$1150 in high season.

Flights from the Caribbean and Central/South America

It is possible to visit T&T in conjunction with a trip to another Caribbean island or the South/Central American mainland. Liat and Caribbean Airlines offer a wide range of inter-island flights. From Venezuela to Trinidad, Caribbean Airlines operate up to ten flights weekly, and Aerotuy seven per week, while Caribbean Airlines and LIAT have daily flights from Guyana. From Suriname, Caribbean Airlines and Suriname Airways both have four flights a week to Trinidad.

Flights from the UK and Ireland

To Trinidad, Caribbean Airlines fly nonstop three times weekly, while British Airways offer five weekly flights (with a stopoff in St Lucia); both operate out of Gatwick. From Gatwick to Tobago, British Airways fly once or twice weekly depending on the season (usually Mon and Fri), as do Virgin (Sun in summer, Tues & Sat in winter); both airlines make a short stop in St Lucia before continuing on to Tobago.

Fares to both islands start at around £650 year-round, but hike up to £800–1000 during school holidays, Christmas and Carnival season. Budget-airline services with Monarch to Tobago offer by far the cheapest fares, from around £500.

Note that there are no flights to T&T from Ireland: the best option is to take a flight to London or the US and then travel onward with one of the operators listed above.

Flights from Australia and New Zealand

The Caribbean is no bargain destination from Australia or New Zealand. There are no direct flights to Trinidad and Tobago, so you’ll have to fly to one of the main US gateway airports, and pick up onward connections from there. Air New Zealand and Qantas have regular services from major cities in Australia and New Zealand to Los Angeles, with connecting flights to New York or Miami on American Airlines or United: return fares start at around Aus$1700 or NZ$2000.

Airlines

Aerotuywtuy.com.

Air New Zealandwairnewzealand.com.

American Airlineswaa.com.

British Airwayswbritishairways.com.

Caribbean Airlineswcaribbean-airlines.com.

JetBluewjetblue.com.

Liatwliat.com.

Monarchwmonarch.co.uk.

Qantas Airwayswqantas.com.au.

Surinam Airwayswflyslm.com.

United Airlineswunited.com.

Virginwvirgin-atlantic.com.

Agents and operators

Caradonna US t1800 330 6611, wcaradonna.com. Diving packages to Tobago.

Caribbean Destinations Australia t1800 354 104, wcaribbeanislands.com.au. Comprehensive range of tailor-made Caribbean holidays, including a choice of accommodation packages.

Caribbean Journey US t1866 236 1924, wcaribbeanjourney.com. Tailor-made hotel and villa holidays on Tobago.

Caribtours UK t020 7751 0660, wcaribtours.co.uk. Specialist operator offering luxurious packages to both Trinidad and Tobago.

CV Villas UK t020 7563 7999, wcvvillas.com. Good value for villa holidays in Tobago, as well as a few small properties.

Geodyssey UK t020 7281 7788, wgeodyssey.co.uk. Specialist in T&T and Venezuela, offering excellent tours that take in the cultural and natural highlights of both Trinidad and Tobago.

IGLU Tropical UK t020 8544 6620, wiglutropical.com. Cruise and accommodation packages.

Just Tobago UK t01373 814 234, wwww.justtobago.co.uk. Specialist company offering flexible packages to Tobago with a range of prices and themes.

Kuoni Worldwide UK t0800 092 4444, wkuoni.co.uk. Flexible package holidays and good family deals to Tobago.

Mot Mot Travel UK t01327 359 622, wmotmottravel.com. Excellent tour operator, with knowledgeable staff and some great tours on both islands, from nature-based trips to birdwatching and diving.

Newmont Travel UK t020 8920 1155, wnewmont.co.uk. Caribbean flight specialist offering the best deals out of the UK.

North South Travel UK t01245 608 291, wnorthsouthtravel.co.uk. Friendly, competitive travel agency, offering discounted fares worldwide. Profits are used to support projects in the developing world, especially the promotion of sustainable tourism.

Regal Holidays UK t01353 659 999, wregal-diving.co.uk. Specializes in diving packages to Tobago, including eco-friendly packages, as well as live-aboards.

STA Travel UK t0333 321 0099, US t1800 781 4040, Australia t134 782, New Zealand t0800 474 400, South Africa t0861 781 781, wstatravel.co.uk. Worldwide specialists in independent travel; also student IDs, travel insurance, car rental, rail passes, and more. Good discounts for students and under-26s.

Travel CUTS Canada t1800 667 2887, US t1800 592 2887, wtravelcuts.com. Canadian youth and student travel firm.

USIT Ireland t01 602 1906, Australia t1800 092 499, wusit.ie. Ireland’s main student and youth travel specialist.

Wildwings UK t0117 965 8333, wwildwings.co.uk. Excellent birdwatching and eco-tour packages in both Trinidad and Tobago.