Navigating Piarco International Airport (POS) for Connections
Most international connections at Piarco (POS) require you to clear immigration, collect your checked bags, and re-check them at the departures level. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for your connection to account for potential queues at immigration and customs during peak arrival times.
- Confirm your luggage status. Unless you are on a single ticket with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and your bags are tagged through to your final destination, assume you must collect them. Ask the check-in agent at your origin point specifically if bags are 'interlined'.
- Clear Immigration and Customs. Follow signs for 'Arrivals.' You will pass through immigration, collect bags from the carousel, and walk through the Customs 'Nothing to Declare' (green) or 'Goods to Declare' (red) channel.
- Transition to Departures. Exit the arrivals hall into the public area. Turn right and take the elevator or stairs up one level to the Departures floor.
- Re-check and Security. Proceed to your airline's check-in counter to drop your bags. Once checked in, proceed through the central security screening area to enter the transit lounge.
- Is there an airside transit hotel?
- No. All hotels are located outside the secure area. You must clear immigration to reach them.
- Can I stay airside if I don't have checked bags?
- Piarco does not have a formal international transit lounge that bypasses immigration for all airlines. Even without bags, you may be required to clear immigration to reach the departures check-in area depending on your airline's specific transit procedures.
- Is the airport open 24 hours?
- Yes, but most shops and food outlets close between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.