Money at Piarco International (Port of Spain) (POS)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Arriving at Piarco International (Port of Spain) (POS): expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly TT$160 voucher. Carry small local notes and use bank ATMs inside the terminal rather than airport exchange kiosks.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Piarco International (Port of Spain) (POS)?
Trinidad and Tobago's local currency is what you'll need at POS. Use a bank ATM inside the terminal rather than the exchange kiosks — the rate is materially better.
Q.How much should a taxi from POS to the city cost?
Expected fare on the POS → Port of Spain route is roughly TT$160 voucher. Around TT$300+ is already high, and TT$400 'tourist' is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at POS?
Tipping norms vary. In most countries outside North America, taxi drivers are not tipped — rounding up is enough. Pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at POS?
Carry small local notes as backup. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay at airport taxi ranks.
Q.Should I change money at POS?
Only if you need $10–20 of local currency to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.