Currency in Trinidad and Tobago - A Full Guide 2024
Planning a trip to Trinidad and Tobago? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.
This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in Trinidad and Tobago, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.
What is the currency in Trinidad and Tobago?
The official currency in Trinidad and Tobago is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - TTD. In stores and restaurants, Trinidad and Tobago Dollar prices are likely to use the currency symbol $.
Once you’re in Trinidad and Tobago you’ll see costs of items shown in TTD and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:
banknotes - 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and coins - 1, 5, 10, 25, 50.
Can you officially pay in USD when you are in Trinidad and Tobago?
You’re unlikely to be able to officially transact in USD in Trinidad and Tobago, which is why it’s time to start getting used to TTD and learning more about the currency exchange rates so you’ll know what you’re spending on your trip.
This guide will walk through all you need to know, including US Dollar/Trinidad and Tobago Dollar rates and where best to get your travel money from.
| Trinidad and Tobago Dollar | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Trinidad and Tobago Dollar |
| ISO code | TTD |
| Symbol | $ |
| Subunit | Cent |
| Central Bank | Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago |
| Best travel cards to take to Trinidad and Tobago | Wise |
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar coins and banknotes
Here’s a full rundown of the TTD coins and banknotes you’ll need to be familiar with when you’re in Trinidad and Tobago.
| TTD banknotes | TTD coins |
|---|---|
| 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 | 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 |
Is USD accepted in Trinidad and Tobago?
As we’ve seen, the official currency in Trinidad and Tobago is TTD. If you carry US Dollars with you on your trip, you’ll probably need to exchange it before you can spend.
Sometimes when you’re away on a trip abroad you’ll find that merchants will take payments in a selection of major foreign currencies. However, the chances are that where this is offered, you won’t get a good exchange rate for your USD. Planning smart and convenient ways to spend in TTD when you’re away is likely to mean you save on costs in the end.
Usually, having a few different ways to pay and get cash is the best option for travellers and tourists. That’s because you’ll have a back up plan in case one payment method isn’t accepted for any reason, and you can pick the method that’s best suited to the specific transaction. Having a multi-currency card from a provider like Wise, plus your normal bank debit card, and some local cash in TTD should mean you’ve always got options. You can use your cash for small purchases and tipping, and make low cost payments and cash withdrawals with your multi-currency card, while keeping your bank card in reserve for emergencies.
Use a travel card on your next trip to Trinidad and Tobago
Using a travel debit card in Trinidad and Tobago is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in the US offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in TTD. That allows you to add a balance in USD and switch over to TTD to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.
Once you have TTD in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.
Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in Trinidad and Tobago.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and manage your money from your phone. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in TTD - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
✅ Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate ✅ No foreign transaction fees apply ✅ Free to hold and spend 40+ currencies ✅ Receive payments to your Wise account in a selection of global currencies ✅ No minimum balance or ongoing fees | ❌ Card order fee applies ❌ ATM fees apply once you’ve exhausted your free monthly withdrawals |
What is the currency exchange rate for £ 1 USD/TTD?
It’s helpful to get to know the live USD/TTD rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad.
The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the USD/TTD rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.
Find the USD/TTD mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily.
Should I exchange USD to TTD before traveling to Trinidad and Tobago?
It’s a good idea to exchange US Dollars to Trinidad and Tobago Dollar before you head off to Trinidad and Tobago, as you can often find a better exchange rate and lower overall costs before you travel.
When you’re in Trinidad and Tobago you may need TTD in cash for some of your spending - particularly when tipping or making smaller value purchases. Buying your TTD travel money in advance can get you better USD/TTD exchange rates, and saves you wasting precious time shopping around for a good deal once you arrive in Trinidad and Tobago.
Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of trip, using a travel card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in the US and in Trinidad and Tobago, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. A captive market means that USD/TTD rates are often worse in the airport than in city centers.
Tips for exchanging money in Trinidad and Tobago
At merchants and ATMs, make sure you’re charged in TTD. If you’re asked if you’d rather pay in USD instead, say no. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. Withdrawing money in target-currency can be easy, particularly in big cities and Port of Spain, here’s a few other tips if you want to exchange money in Trinidad and Tobago
- Avoid using exchange providers at airports or hotels in Trinidad and Tobago as they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates because they have a captive market and little competition nearby
- Use a travel debit card like the Wise card while you’re in Trinidad and Tobago for fast and cheap conversion between currencies and easy ways to manage your money from your phone
Best place to exchange currency in Trinidad and Tobago
You can get your TTD in Trinidad and Tobago in a couple of ways.
You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.
Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in USD to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city centre are likely to be cheaper overall.
How to pay in Trinidad and Tobago?
You’ll need to have TTD to spend in Trinidad and Tobago. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in Trinidad and Tobago.
Debit or credit card
Card payments can be helpful in shops, restaurants and hotels but there will be places where cash is also important. Order a travel card from a provider like Wise for cheap and fast transactions, including card payments and cash withdrawals as and when you need travel money in TTD.
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar cash
You’ll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Trinidad and Tobago, but carrying some cash in TTD is also reassuring. It’s often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
It’s a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in TTD when you’re in Trinidad and Tobago. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise alongside your cash for flexibility.
Paying for the trip in USD
If you’re paying for things in Trinidad and Tobago with a USD bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.
Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in Trinidad and Tobago using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to TTD in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in US Dollars and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.
Conclusion - Currency in Trinidad and Tobago
You won’t be able to pay in USD when you visit Trinidad and Tobago - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on TTD in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging USD to TTD, and make your money go further while you’re away.
The official currency in Trinidad and Tobago is TTD. You can’t usually pay in US Dollars in Trinidad and Tobago, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to TTD and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the USD to TTD mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.
FAQ - Currency in Trinidad and Tobago
What is the currency in Trinidad and Tobago called?
The official currency in Trinidad and Tobago is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar. You may also see the code TTD and the currency symbol $.
What's the currency in Port of Spain?
The official currency in Port of Spain is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar. You’ll only be able to spend in TTD while you’re there.
What is the old Trinidad and Tobago currency?
Today the currency in Trinidad and Tobago is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.
What is the best currency to take to Trinidad and Tobago?
You’ll only be able to spend in TTD while you’re in Trinidad and Tobago. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.