The +1868 country code is for Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island nation at the southern end of the Caribbean chain, just off the coast of Venezuela. With about 1.4 million people, it is one of the larger Caribbean countries and the wealthiest per capita in the region, driven by oil and natural gas exports.
Trinidad handles most of the country's business and industry. Tobago, about 30 km to the northeast, is smaller and more tourism-focused. Both islands share the 868 area code under the North American Numbering Plan. Like other Caribbean NANP territories, calling from the US or Canada looks domestic but bills as international.
Quick answer: The country code for Trinidad and Tobago is +1-868 (NANP area code 868). Local numbers are 7 digits. There is no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers typically start with 3xx or 7xx. Landline numbers often start with 6xx.
How to call Trinidad and Tobago: quick reference
Trinidad and Tobago uses NANP area code 868. Calling from the US or Canada is the same as dialing any other area code. From outside North America, add your international access code plus 1-868.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | 1-(868)-XXX-XXXX |
| US/Canada landline | 1-(868)-XXX-XXXX |
| UK | 00-1-(868)-XXX-XXXX |
| Caribbean NANP | 1-(868)-XXX-XXXX |
| Within T&T | XXX-XXXX (7 digits) |
| Elsewhere | +1-(868)-XXX-XXXX |
Understanding Trinidad and Tobago phone numbers
All Trinidad and Tobago phone numbers follow the NANP format: (868) XXX-XXXX. The 868 area code covers both Trinidad and Tobago.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers are 7 digits. Common mobile prefixes include 3xx (e.g., 300-399) and 7xx (e.g., 700-799). Digicel numbers often start with 3xx, while bmobile numbers lean toward 7xx, though this is not a strict rule. A typical mobile: (868) 310-1234.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers also use 7 digits. Most landline prefixes start with 6xx (e.g., 620-689). Port of Spain landlines commonly begin with 62x or 63x. Tobago landlines often start with 639 or 660. A sample landline: (868) 625-5678.
Both islands, one area code
There is no separate area code for Tobago. Both islands use 868. A call from Port of Spain (Trinidad) to Scarborough (Tobago) is a local call, just 7 digits. The phone system does not distinguish between the two islands.
Mobile carriers in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has two mobile carriers and one main landline provider.
Digicel
Digicel is the market leader for mobile service. It entered T&T in 2006 and quickly gained a large subscriber base through aggressive pricing and marketing, especially around Carnival. Digicel has strong 4G LTE coverage across both islands.
bmobile (TSTT)
bmobile is the mobile brand of TSTT (Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago), the state-controlled incumbent. TSTT also operates the fixed-line network under the blink brand. bmobile has been losing market share to Digicel but still holds a substantial user base, particularly among government and enterprise customers.
TSTT/blink (landline)
TSTT operates most of the country's landline infrastructure through its blink brand. Fixed-line usage has been declining as mobile and internet calling take over, but many businesses and government offices still use landlines with 6xx prefixes.
Don't confuse +1868 with nearby codes
The biggest risk with 868 is confusing it with neighboring Caribbean NANP area codes that differ by a single digit.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +1-868 | Trinidad and Tobago | This article |
| +1-869 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 868 vs 869 - one digit difference |
| +1-876 | Jamaica | 876 vs 868 - both start with 8 |
| +58 | Venezuela | T&T's nearest mainland neighbor (not NANP) |
The +1-868 vs +1-869 mix-up is the most common. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a much smaller country 600 km to the north, but the area codes are nearly identical. If you dial 869 instead of 868, you will reach someone in Basseterre, not Port of Spain.
Time zone considerations
Trinidad and Tobago runs on Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | When it's 10:00 AM in T&T |
|---|---|
| New York (EST/EDT) | 9:00 AM (winter) / 10:00 AM (summer) |
| Los Angeles (PST/PDT) | 6:00 AM (winter) / 7:00 AM (summer) |
| London (GMT/BST) | 2:00 PM (winter) / 3:00 PM (summer) |
| Toronto (EST/EDT) | 9:00 AM (winter) / 10:00 AM (summer) |
T&T is one hour ahead of New York in winter and on the same clock in summer. This makes scheduling calls from the US East Coast relatively easy, since the gap is never more than an hour.
Communication in Trinidad and Tobago
Business hours
Government offices and banks operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM AST. Banks often close at 3:00 PM on Fridays. Shops in malls stay open later and on weekends. Energy sector offices (a major part of the economy) keep standard business hours.
WhatsApp and messaging
WhatsApp is the default communication channel in T&T. Locals use it for everything from personal conversations to business inquiries to customer service. Many small businesses list a WhatsApp number rather than a landline. If you have someone's phone number, sending a WhatsApp message before calling is normal etiquette.
Network quality
4G LTE coverage is widespread on Trinidad, especially in the Port of Spain metro area, San Fernando, and the east-west corridor. Tobago has 4G coverage in Scarborough and Crown Point (near the airport) but patchier service in the interior. Both Digicel and bmobile have invested in network expansion, though speeds can slow during peak hours in Port of Spain.
The Trinidad and Tobago diaspora
Where Trinbagonians have settled
The Trinidadian and Tobagonian diaspora is one of the largest in the Caribbean relative to population. The biggest communities are in the United States (New York City, especially Brooklyn and Queens; also Miami and Houston), Canada (Toronto has a massive Trini community), and the United Kingdom (London). Smaller communities exist across the Caribbean, particularly in Barbados and Guyana.
Why they call home
Family connections drive most calling. T&T has a strong culture of staying in touch, and phone calls remain common alongside WhatsApp. Carnival (February/March) generates a huge spike in calls, as the diaspora either plans travel home or follows the festivities remotely. Divali (October/November), Eid, and Christmas are also peak periods given T&T's multicultural population of African, Indian, Chinese, and European descent.
The oil and gas industry also drives business calls. Many energy companies have offices in both T&T and Houston or London, and work calls between these locations are frequent.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Port of Spain from the US
The mobile number is 310-1234. From a US phone, dial 1-(868)-310-1234. From a US mobile, you can also enter +1-868-310-1234.
Calling a landline in Port of Spain from the UK
The landline is 625-5678. From a UK phone, dial 00-1-868-625-5678. From a UK mobile, use +1-868-625-5678.
Calling Tobago from Toronto
A guesthouse in Scarborough, Tobago has the number 639-9012. From Toronto, dial 1-(868)-639-9012. Same area code, same format as calling Trinidad.
Local call within T&T
Calling from Port of Spain to San Fernando (both on Trinidad), or from Trinidad to Tobago, just dial the 7-digit number: 652-3456. All calls within the 868 area code are local.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assuming it's a domestic US/Canada call
T&T uses +1 like the US and Canada, so the dialing format is identical. But your carrier bills 868 calls as international. This is a common surprise on phone bills, especially for people in New York or Toronto who call T&T regularly. A VoIP service with transparent per-minute rates avoids the shock.
Dialing 869 instead of 868
+1-868 is Trinidad and Tobago. +1-869 is Saint Kitts and Nevis. The area codes differ by one digit. If your call connects but the person on the other end has no idea who you are, check whether you accidentally dialed 869.
Adding a trunk prefix
There is no trunk prefix in T&T. Do not add a 0 before the 7-digit number. Some callers from the UK or India do this out of habit. The local number is always exactly 7 digits.
Expecting separate codes for Trinidad and Tobago
Both islands use the same 868 area code. There is no separate code for Tobago. If someone tells you they are in Tobago, dial the same way you would for Trinidad.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +1868 country code?
The +1868 country code is for Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island Caribbean nation. Area code 868 is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
How do I call Trinidad and Tobago from the US?
Dial 1-(868) followed by the 7-digit local number. From a US mobile, you can also use +1-868-XXX-XXXX. The call bills as international despite the +1 prefix.
What is the difference between +1868 and +1869?
+1868 is Trinidad and Tobago, while +1869 is Saint Kitts and Nevis. The area codes differ by just one digit. Double-check before dialing.
Do Trinidad and Tobago use the same area code?
Yes. Both islands share area code 868. There is no separate code for Tobago. Local numbers on both islands are 7 digits.
Is there a trunk prefix for Trinidad and Tobago?
No. For local calls within Trinidad and Tobago, dial the 7-digit number directly. There is no leading 0 or other trunk prefix.
Looking for other Caribbean dialing guides? Check out Saint Kitts and Nevis (+1869), Jamaica (+1876), or browse all country codes.