Getting around Aruba
One commercial airport, public buses run by Arubus, taxis on a government fare table, and no Uber or Lyft: this is how transport works in Aruba, with fares as published in October 2026.
Airports
Aruba has one commercial airport, Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), a short drive southeast of Oranjestad:
Queen Beatrix International Airport
Near Oranjestad, south coast
The island's only commercial airport. Arubus Line 2 links it with Oranjestad and San Nicolas, and US-bound passengers clear US immigration and customs here before departure
Snorkel & island boat trips
Departures from Oranjestad & Palm Beach
There is no second airport. Boat trips go to the Antilla shipwreck and the reefs at Boca Catalina; Baby Beach is reached by road or on Arubus Line 900 from San Nicolas
Taxis & ride-sharing
Official Taxis
Taxis in Aruba have no meters. Fares follow the government tariff in effect since 20 May 2026, published at taxi.aw: a US$10 minimum fare, up to four passengers per fare, and US$3 each for a fifth to seventh passenger. A US$5 surcharge applies on Sundays, public holidays and daily from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Confirm the fare with the driver before you set off.
No Uber or Lyft
Uber and Lyft do not operate in Aruba, according to the operator of ArubaTaxiApp, a dispatch platform that advertises app booking of licensed taxis. Otherwise take a taxi from a rank or ask your hotel to call one.
Hiring a Taxi by the Hour
The government tariff sets hourly taxi hire at US$60 with a two-hour minimum (tariff of May 2026). Agree the route and the number of hours with the driver before you leave, and work out the total from that.
Hotel Transfers
Ask your hotel whether it arranges airport transfers and what they cost. If you take a taxi instead, the tariff adds a US$5 surcharge between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM, so a late arrival costs a little more.
Public transportation
Arubus Public Buses
Arubus runs the public buses. Line 10A serves the Oranjestad-to-Arashi corridor, Line 2 links Oranjestad and San Nicolas via the airport, and Line 900 connects San Nicolas with Baby Beach. As listed by Arubus in October 2026, a single trip costs US$2.60 (AWG 4.50), a retour card US$5 (AWG 8.75) and a day pass US$15 (AWG 26.25). Check the current timetable at arubus.com before an evening trip.
The Oranjestad Trolley
The downtown trolley is free of charge and you can hop on and off, according to the Aruba Tourism Authority. It connects the cruise terminal with the center of town along the pedestrian Main Street, and the authority lists six stops. We could not confirm a current timetable, so do not plan around a set departure time.
Oranjestad Bus Terminal
Routes are organized around the central bus terminal in downtown Oranjestad, next to the cruise terminal and Royal Plaza. Ask the driver or staff which line serves your destination, and check the last departure times before heading out for the day.
Renting a car
A rental car is the simplest way to reach Arikok National Park, the north coast and the beaches away from the hotel strip. Bring your home driving license and check what your government says about permits: UK travel advice tells British drivers to carry an International Driving Permit together with their UK license.
Good to Know
- •Rental agencies have desks at Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) and around Oranjestad
- •UK travel advice says British drivers need an International Driving Permit as well as their UK license
- •Other nationalities: check your own government travel advice and the rental terms for the license and permit they accept
- •Aruba issues a first driving license from age 18, but agencies set their own rules: one local operator asks for a minimum age of 21 and a credit-card deposit
- •ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes are prohibited in protected nature areas, including Arikok National Park
Watch Out For
- •Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road
- •The Natural Pool in Arikok is reached on foot, on horseback or by 4x4 (Aruba Tourism Authority)
- •Do not leave bags in a parked car (UK travel advice)
- •US travel guidance notes an increased risk of crime in the San Nicolas district, especially at night
- •Photograph the car, inside and out, before you leave the rental lot
Ferries & boats
This section covers day-trip boats, not ferries: we have no scheduled ferry service to list for Aruba. The boats here go to the reefs and wrecks off the leeward coast:
- Catamaran day sails - catamarans and speedboats leave from Oranjestad and the Palm Beach piers for snorkel cruises along the leeward west coast; check what each operator includes before you book
- Antilla shipwreck trips - boats run to the Antilla, a World War II wreck off Malmok, and to the reefs at Boca Catalina
- Snorkel and dive charters - dive and snorkel operators work the reefs along the sheltered leeward coast. Baby Beach, near San Nicolas, is reached by road or on Arubus Line 900
Quick cost comparison
| Transport | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Arubus public bus (single) | US$2.60 (AWG 4.50), Oct 2026 | One-off trips between towns |
| Arubus day pass | US$15 (AWG 26.25), Oct 2026 | Several bus rides in one day |
| Taxi (government tariff) | From the US$10 minimum fare, by destination (tariff of May 2026) | Airport transfers and direct trips |
| Taxi by the hour | US$60 per hour, two-hour minimum (tariff of May 2026) | Touring with a driver for a set number of hours |
| Car rental | Varies by agency and season; compare quotes | Exploring Arikok and quieter beaches |
| Oranjestad trolley | Free | The cruise terminal to Main Street |
Need more travel tips?
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