Trinidad and Tobago: Getting There and Transport
How to get to Trinidad
The fastest, easiest and most economical way to get to Trinidad and Tobago is by plane. A flight from Germany takes about 12 hours. There are daily flights with BWIA (British West Indian Airways) from Frankfurt, Cologne and Zurich as well as Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays with British Airways from London (feeder to London from various German cities), on Sundays and Wednesdays direct flights with Thomas Cook from Frankfurt to Tobago. The airline KLM flies to Trinidad via Amsterdam. All airlines fly to Piarco International Airport (about 27 km southeast of Port of Spain). BIWA flies directly from Frankfurt to Tobago once a week.
Ships
Visitors can also get to the islands on a cruise ship as part of a Caribbean tour. From Europe, Trinidad is only approached by cargo ships and the journey takes between two and three weeks.
Travel in the country
Flights
flights between Tobago and Trinidad there several times a day with various domestic airlines. BIWA air taxis fly several times a day from Piarco Airport to Crown Point Airport on Tobago, 10 km west of Scarborough and back; the flight time is 12 minutes.
Bus/maxi taxi
The railway network was shut down in the 1960s and a state bus network was created. The public bus network is now well developed on both islands. Every major place in Trinidad (Arima, San Fernando, Chaguaramas and Piarco) and Tobago (Crown Point, Plymouth) can be reached by buses from the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC). The tickets can be bought at the bus stations (Port of Spain: Railway Building, Sity Gate, South Quay/Scarborough: Bus Terminal Greenside Street, in front of the large square at the harbor behind the market). There are two different bus types, the comfortable, air-conditioned ECS buses and the cheaper Blue Transit buses. The cheaper buses are mostly overcrowded and the heat inside is unbearable, so that both vacationers and locals prefer the maxi-taxis and minibuses. These are privately owned and depart from certain places (Port of Spain: Independence Square) on fixed routes whenever all places are occupied; The destination is displayed on signs behind the windshield and you can buy tickets, which are slightly more expensive than normal bus tickets, directly from the driver. In Trinidad the maxi-taxis are organized according to regions, which are color-coded: minibuses with a yellow ribbon go west from Port of Spain, the red ones to the east, the green ones to San Fernando, the black ones from San Fernando to Princess Town and the brown ones serve the southwest. In Tobago, the little blue-banded buses travel from Scarborough on Windward Road to Charlotteville.
The journeys in all minibuses and taxis should be imagined from the outset to be anything but leisurely. The drivers drive a risky style, horns and risky overtaking. If you want to get out, you give a knock on the vehicle ceiling.
RouteTaxis
The so-called route taxis drive according to the same rules as the maxi-taxis, but they are cars. Private taxis, in which you are chauffeured directly from A to B, are very expensive and you should definitely agree the price before you start your journey. In the evening and at night, a considerable surcharge must be expected. There are also many illegal taxis that are tolerated but are popularly known as “pirate taxis”.
Roads
Road conditions are generally acceptable, but not really good. Often there are oversized potholes. Especially at night they can be dangerous because they were overlooked too late or completely. The streets are narrow and winding, and many of the curves are difficult to see. Here you should just blow the horn before entering the curve. The locals’ brake or flashing lights are often defective, and many give themselves simple hand signals when turning. Especially dangerous are the tropical rain showers, when the streets are flooded within a few minutes. In such a case, the best response is to stop and wait for the shower to end.
Petrol stations are not very common in remote areas and are often closed. So you should take advantage of the refueling options early enough.
Car
hire Car hire in Trinidad & Tobago is provided by some major car rental companies (such as AVIS, Budget and Dollar Rent-a-car) and some local providers. In order to be able to rent a car, the customer must be at least 25 years old and must have an international driver’s license. The rental companies all require a deposit; In addition, you should take out insurance that determines the excess in the event of damage. The rental car prices depend on the type of vehicle, the season and the condition of the car. In any case, you should take a close look at the car when you hand it over.
Ferry Services
From Port of Spain (Cruise Ship Passenger Terminal Complex) to Scarborough (Deepwater Harbor) there are ferries every day at 2pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am. The crossing takes about five hours. Tickets can be booked in the port of Port of Spain.
Traffic rules
To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. However, if you drive too defensively, unsettled by the chaotic traffic in Port of Spain, you will probably not move at all. In Trinidad & Tobago there is left-hand traffic. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from the ADAC or AvD, for example, before starting your journey.
Top speeds
- Urban areas: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 – 55 km/h.
- Highways: There is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads.
In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.
Blood alcohol
limit There is no official alcohol limit in Trinidad and Tobago, but the principle “Don’t Drink and Drive – Stay Alive” does. Every visitor should obey this motto, even if some locals are very careless about drinking and driving.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Trinidad and Tobago is:
| TT |
Trinidad and Tobago: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Trinidad and Tobago embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Trinidad and Tobago in Germany
Honorary Consulate in Hamburg
Raboisen 3
20095 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 22 00 396
Fax: 0049 – (0) 40 – 22 06 756
Honorary Consulate in Unterhaching (near Munich)
Leipziger Straße 16
82008 Unterhaching (near Munich)
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 61 56 66 36/-37
Fax: 0049 – (0) 89 – 61 56 66 30
Honorary Consulate in Bad Honnef
Drachenfelsstrasse 4 – 7
53604 Bad Honnef
Tel: 0049 – (0) 2224 – 98 81 725
Fax: 0049 – (0) 2224 – 98 81 729
E-Mail: dreisbach@wifa.de
German representations in Trinidad and Tobago
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Port-of-Spain
7 – 9 Marli Street
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
PO Box 828
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, WI
Tel: 001 – (0) 868 – 628 16 30/-31/-32
001 – (0) 868 – 628 85 32
Fax: 001 – (0) 868 – 628 52 78
Email: info@ports.diplo.de
www.port-of-spain.diplo.de
The German embassy in Trinidad and Tobago is still responsible for:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Grenadines
- Guyana
- Montserrat
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent
- Surinam
Austrian representations in Trinidad and Tobago
Austrian Honorary Consulate in Scarborough
Blue Haven Hotel, Robinson Crusoe Beach Resort Ltd., Bacolet Bay
Scarborough, Tobago, WI
Tel: 001 – 868 – 660 7400
001 – 868 – 660 7500
001 – 868 – 660 7600
Fax: 001 – 868 – 660 7900
Email: kpilstl@yahoo.com
Swiss representations in Trinidad and Tobago
Consulate General of Switzerland in Port-of-Spain
70, Dundonald Street
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: 001 – 868 – 623 7816
001 – 868 – 627 7226
Fax: 001 – 868 – 625 9729
E-Mail: portspain@honorarvertretung.ch
Representations of Trinidad and Tobago in Switzerland
Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Geneva
Rue de Vermont 37-39
1211 Geneva 20
Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 918 03 90
Fax: 0041 – (0) 22 – 734 91 38
Email: mission.trinidad-tobago@ties.itu.int
Representations of Trinidad and Tobago in Europe
Embassy (High Commission) of Trinidad & Tobago
42, Belgrave Square
SW1X 8NT London, England
Tel: 0044 – (0) 20 – 7245 9351
Fax: 0044 – (0) 20 – 7823 1065
Email: tthc@btconnect.com
Web: www.trinidad.embassyhomepage.com
Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Brussels
Avenue de la Faisanderie 14
1150 Brussels
Tel: 0032 – 2 – 762 94 00
0032 – 2 – 762 94 15
Fax: 0032 – 2 – 772 27 83
Email: info@embtrinbago.be
Tourist offices
Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Office in Germany
c/o Basic Service Group GmbH
Postfach 2647
55016 Mainz
Tel: 0049 – (0) 6131 – 333 29 99
Fax: 0049 – (0) 6131 – 333 19 90
Email: info@gotnt.de
Web: www.visittnt.de
Islands Tourist
Offices Tourism Development Company Ltd.
Level 1, Maritime Center, # 29 Tenth AVENUE
Barataria, Trinidad, West Indies
Tel: 00868 – 675 70 34
Fax: 00868 – 638 79 62
Web: www.gotrinidadandtobago.com
Trinidad and Tobago: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Entrants from Germany, Austria and Switzerland require a passport for entry that is valid for at least six months at the time of arrival. Children also need an ID with a photo showing their nationality. In addition, the possession of a return or onward flight ticket must be proven and each visitor must indicate his intended location; if this is not yet fixed, any cheap hotel should be chosen. No visa is required for stays of a maximum of three months; for longer stays, a visa can be applied for at the embassy or consulate (approx. Eight days processing). If someone decides to stay longer after arrival, the Immigration Office (6 Frederick Street,
Normally, the entry forms are distributed and filled out on the plane. Part of it is retained by the authorities; the returned section must be presented again on departure.
Issuing visas in Europe
Embassy (High Commission) of Trinidad & Tobago
SW1X 8NT, 42, Belgrave Square
London
Tel: 0044- (0) 20-7245 9351
Fax: 0044- (0) 20-7823 1065
www: trinidad.embassyhomepage.com
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currencyThe TT $ cannot be acquired abroad, only in the country; when leaving the country, all banknotes must be exchanged.
- Foreigncurrencies Foreign currency can be imported and exported without restriction.
Departure fee
When leaving Trinidad & Tobago, a fee of TT- $ 50 must be paid in the local currency at the airport.
Importing and exporting goods
Upon entry, personal items such as sporting goods and photo equipment can be imported duty-free. In addition, 0.946 liters of alcoholic beverages, 226 grams of tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages over 22% or 2 liters under 22% may be exported duty-free. Also 250 grams of coffee, 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette.
The export of protected animal species and animal products such as black coral, tortoiseshell, turtle shells or the like is prohibited with high penalties, as is, of course, the import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives.
Entry with pets
Pets that are to be imported into Trinidad and Tobago must be quarantined for at least six months. Unless you come directly from the following states: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Ireland, Jamaica, Great Britain, St. Vincent or St. Kitts-Nevis. In this case, an official health certificate and a certificate of rabies vaccination are sufficient.
For all pets, however, an import permit must be applied for from the Director of Agriculture before entering Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings
Infectious diseases
The following infectious diseases are to be expected in Trinidad and Tobago, which occur rarely or not at all in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
- Malaria, there is no risk of malaria in the country.
- AIDS, HIV
- Amoebic dysentery
- Bacterial agitation
- Cholera, an infection risk only exists for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
- Dengue fever disease
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Yellow fever, in the inland jungle areas
- Hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B, is only possible in people who can come into contact with blood or those who seek sexual contact.
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
- rabies
- Typhoid fever, an infection risk only exists for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
- Tick bite fever
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Trinidad & Tobago, the following vaccinations are recommended.
- Cholera, but only among travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B, vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or who seek sexual contact.
- Japanese encephalitis
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
Compulsory vaccination
In Trinidad and Tobago, vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for all people who are older than one year and who are arriving from a country designated by the WHO as a yellow fever infection area.
Yellow fever vaccination for children
In most countries where a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, this also applies to children over one year of age, in some countries even from six months. It should be noted that
a vaccination against yellow fever had a number of side effects, such as encephalitis. Around two-thirds of those affected were children under six months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must be avoided.
Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers.
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most people in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007.
There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory co-payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.
As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.
Current warnings
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
Trinidad and Tobgo: Currency, Shopping and Exchange Rate
The national currency of Trinidad & Tobago is the
Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TT- $) = 100 cents.
You cannot acquire the TT $ abroad, but only in the country; when leaving the country, all notes must be exchanged. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere; you can usually pay with the US dollar.
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 1
- 5
- 10
- 20th
- 100
Banks and hotels also accept US dollars, traveler checks and major credit cards such as Visa, Europe/Master Card, American Express.
Exchange rate
You can find a currency converter here:
www3.forium.de
Bank opening hours
Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Republic Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
Headquarters:
11 – 17 Park Street, Port of Spain
Bank of Nova Scotia
Headquarters:
60 Independence Square, Port of Spain
Citibank of Trinidad & Tobago
Headquarters:
Independence Square 74, Port of Spain
German banks are not represented in Trinidad & Tobago. There are ATMs in the cities; Here you can withdraw cash with EC and credit cards.
Shop
Shop Hours
Most shops in Trinidad are open Monday through Saturday, 8am to 6pm. Smaller shops often don’t close until later. Shops are closed on Carnival and public holidays.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
In the capital Port of Spain the range of goods is best; there are typical bazaars, street vendors and a shopping center. You can buy local products everywhere. All traditional goods are reasonably priced and mostly of good quality. Some of the imported goods are subject to very high tariffs.
The shopping centers in Trinidad & Tobago were built in a modern and European style. You can also get local products here. For example, there is a very interesting range of fine fabrics, some of which are made into extravagant clothing by local designers. The colorfully printed T-shirts are very cheap. In terms of food and drinks, the visitor is offered a lot of traditional items. Whether bitter liqueurs made according to secret recipes such as “Angostura Bitters”, rum, Caribbean beer made from ginger or exotic fruits – the range is varied, inexpensive and often of high quality. Other typical products are ceramics, copper work, leather work, jewelry, wood carvings and of course music on all kinds of sound carriers.
