Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Trinidad and Tobago or if card payments are common. Advice?
I lived in Trinidad for a few weeks and got around on maxi-taxis and public buses - always paid in TT dollars. No system that supports Visa or PayPal. It’s convenient but requires planning; I kept TT$50-100 in my backpack for transport through the week. If you occasionally need a taxi, drivers expect cash upfront. The takeaway: cards won’t get you far with local transport - prepare accordingly.
Took public buses and shared vans between Arima and Chaguaramas - always cash, no contactless or card swipe. Same when I rode in Tobago between Scarborough and Crown Point. Drivers don’t give change if you overpay, so I broke down bills ahead of time. If you're wondering “are card payments common on public transport T&T?” - they’re not. It’s simple and cheap, but you’ll need cash daily.
I’ve ridden route taxis across Tobago and they always want frank cash - no card, no app. When I used the TT RideShare service in Port of Spain, the app showed the fare but the driver still collected cash in local TT money. Paying is easy once you know the norm: TT$2-5 for most trips. Carry coins and small notes - it helps with change and avoids needing to run to ATMs mid-trip.
Stick to carrying TT dollars for public transport. Even the maxi-taxis (shared minibuses) in Port of Spain or San Fernando only take cash - no card terminals. Same with private taxis that don’t run on apps. Fares start around TT$3-4 (~40-50 cents USD). I tried asking a driver for card payment once and got a firm “cash only.” So if you plan to ride multiple times a day, bring enough small bills for the journey.