fiogf49gjkf0d Port of Spain is about 20km northwest of
Piarco International Airport
. Official
airport taxis
will take you to the capital for US$20 (30min, 1hr during rush hour). Alternatively, take a shared
route taxi
(leaving from behind the wire fencing) to Arouca Junction on the Eastern Main Road (TT$2). From there, catch an eastbound
red-band maxi taxi
to
City Gate
, the main transport terminus downtown (TT$3.50).
Route taxis
to Arouca Junction are open to negotiation to take you directly to Port of Spain for TT$60-80, though you may share the car with others.
If
arriving by ship
, you'll pull into Port of Spain's docks. Private taxis tout for passengers at the exit, but route and maxi taxis travel the same road and are far cheaper.
Port of Spain has a compact, grid-based city centre.
City Gate
, located east of the docks, is the main transport terminal, and many route taxi ranks are located in this area. Most of the sights are within walking distance of each other, but bear in mind that under the hot sun energy fades fast.
Maxi taxis
operating in Port of Spain and the west - recognizable by their yellow stripes - can be caught in three locations. For
Diego Martin/Petit Valley
, the maxi rank is at the junction of South Quay and St Vincent Street. Maxis bound for
Maraval
(and sometimes
Diego Martin
) go via
St James
and start at the corner of Charlotte and Oxford streets. Maxis for
Carenage
and
Chaguaramas
go via
Ariapita Avenue
and
Woodbrook
and start at Green Corner (corner of St Vincent and Park streets).
Route taxis
, which are usually old but functional cars, are distinguishable by the H numberplate. Starting points are dotted around Port of Spain, so it is best to ask a local to find the appropriate stand. From 7pm until 5am, many taxi stands relocate to Brian Lara Promenade/Independence Square. Private taxis can be ordered by phone (try Independence Square Taxi Service tel 868/625-3032 or Ice House Taxi Service tel 868/627-6984) or by going to their ranks at Brian Lara Promenade/Independence Square, but be warned they're as expensive as any in the US or Europe. There are a variety of
car rental firms
in Port of Spain if you prefer to have your own transport. Singh's, 7-9 Wrightson Road (tel 868/623-0150) and Econo Cars, 191-193 Western Main Road, Cocorite (tel 868/622-8072) are reputable.
Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections):
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