Trinidad Carnival is not cheap. There, I said it. But it is also not as expensive as people fear, and when you break it down properly you can plan for every cost and avoid the nasty surprises that catch first-timers off guard.
Here is a realistic full budget breakdown for UK travellers going to Trinidad Carnival 2027.
Flights: £500–£1,200
Return flights from London to Piarco International Airport (POS) in Trinidad vary significantly depending on when you book and which airline you choose.
- Budget end: £500–£700 if booked 6–12 months in advance, often via Caribbean Airlines, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic with a connection
- Mid range: £700–£900 for direct or well-timed connections
- Last minute: £1,000–£1,200+
Book early. Trinidad Carnival is one of the busiest travel periods of the year for UK-Caribbean routes. Prices increase significantly from October onwards.
Accommodation: £600–£1,500
Accommodation in Port of Spain during carnival week ranges enormously.
- Budget (guesthouses/Airbnb outside centre): £40–£70/night = £280–£490 for 7 nights
- Mid range (guesthouses near Savannah): £80–£130/night = £560–£910 for 7 nights
- Higher end (hotels with carnival packages): £150–£200+/night
Key areas to stay: Woodbrook, St Clair, and around Queen's Park Savannah. These put you in the heart of the action.
Book accommodation at least 6–8 months before. Good places sell out by October.
Mas Band Costume: £300–£700
Your mas band costume is compulsory for playing mas on the road on Monday and Tuesday. Prices vary by section and band.
- Backline sections: £300–£450
- Midline sections: £450–£600
- Frontline sections: £600–£900+
Popular bands include Tribe, YUMA, Bliss, Harts, Fantasy and Ronnie and Caro. Registration opens 12–18 months before carnival — Tribe and YUMA typically sell out within hours of launch.
Fetes: £200–£600
Fetes are the parties that run throughout the week. Some are free or low cost (beach fetes, parties), but the premium all-inclusive fetes can be significant.
- Small/beach fetes: Free to £30
- Mid-tier fetes: £50–£100
- Premium all-inclusive fetes (Concept, Tribe, etc): £150–£300 each
Most people attend 2–4 fetes over the week. Budget around £200–£400 for a good experience without going overboard.
J'ouvert: £50–£150
Joining an official J'ouvert band typically costs £50–£120 and often includes paint, a t-shirt, drinks and security. Worth every penny for a first-timer.
Food and Drinks: £200–£400
Trinidad has incredible street food and the cost of eating is lower than the UK. Doubles (breakfast), roti, bake and shark, pelau — you can eat well for £5–£10 per meal at street vendors.
Budget around £25–£50 per day for food and non-event drinks.
Ground Transport: £100–£200
Taxis, Ubers and minibuses (maxi taxis) are the main ways to get around Port of Spain. Uber works well in Trinidad.
Budget around £15–£25 per day for getting to events, the savannah and around town.
Travel Insurance: £40–£80
Non-negotiable. Get proper travel insurance covering medical, cancellation, and belongings.
The Full Picture
| Item | Budget | Mid | Higher | |------|--------|-----|--------| | Flights (from London) | £500 | £800 | £1,200 | | Accommodation (7 nights) | £560 | £770 | £1,300 | | Costume | £300 | £450 | £700 | | Fetes | £150 | £300 | £600 | | J'ouvert | £60 | £100 | £150 | | Food & drink | £200 | £280 | £400 | | Transport | £100 | £150 | £200 | | Insurance | £50 | £60 | £80 | | Total | £1,920 | £2,910 | £4,630 |
The TriniTravels Option
If the planning feels overwhelming, the TriniTravels Trinidad Carnival 2027 package handles accommodation, airport transfers, costume, selected fetes and a dedicated concierge — starting from £2,686 per person. You just book your flights.
Use the TriniTravels budget calculator to build your personal estimate based on your plans.