Queen Beatrix Airport is centrally located on this small island. Distances are short, which keeps transport costs reasonable. Here is what each option actually costs.
Taxi: fixed zone fares, published at taxi.aw
Aruba uses a government-set fixed-rate taxi system. Fares are per vehicle (up to 4 passengers), not per person. There is no meter.
| Destination | Taxi fare |
|---|---|
| Oranjestad centre | USD 26 / about EUR 23 |
| Eagle Beach (Low-Rise strip) | USD 37 / about EUR 32 |
| Palm Beach (High-Rise South / North) | USD 40-41 / about EUR 35-36 |
| Noord | see taxi.aw for the zone fare |
| Malmok / Arashi Beach | see taxi.aw for the zone fare |
| Savaneta | see taxi.aw for the zone fare |
| San Nicolas | see taxi.aw for the zone fare |
Fixed-price private transfer
AUA Oranjestad City Center
From€58for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €78 per vehicle, about €20 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
Passengers five to seven add USD 3 each. A USD 5 surcharge applies once per trip on Sundays, daily between 11 PM and 7 AM, over the 24 December-1 January holiday block, and on national holidays. Each passenger carries one standard bag and one carry-on free; extra bags are USD 3 each. The minimum fare for any trip is USD 10, and waiting time is USD 1 per minute. These are from the official list dated 18 May 2026 — taxi.aw always has the current one.
Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking
A transfer is quoted when you book, and the price includes meet-and-greet service, flight tracking, waiting time, and door-to-door service. Minivans cost more than sedans. There's no night or Sunday surcharge, which is worth weighing against the taxi's USD 5 — that surcharge lands on a lot of arrivals once you count every Sunday and every flight after 11 PM.
Arubus: AWG 4.50 / USD 2.60
Line 2 serves the airport, running between Oranjestad and San Nicolas. A single trip is AWG 4.50 / USD 2.60 (about EUR 2.30); a retour card is USD 5.00 and a day pass USD 15.00. You can pay cash on board. The bus goes to Oranjestad, not directly to the beach hotel areas. From Oranjestad you can take another bus to Palm Beach, but with luggage this is not practical.
Car rental
Rental desks are at the airport and rates vary by season and company, so check directly rather than trusting a range on a page like this one. Not a per-trip cost, but worth considering if you plan to explore the island. Gas stations are plentiful and parking is generally available.
What affects the price
Destination zone is the main factor for taxis. The fixed-rate card has specific fares for each area.
Group size changes the per-person calculation. The Palm Beach fare of USD 40 split four ways is USD 10 each — a few dollars more than the bus, and infinitely more convenient with bags.
Time of day adds a USD 5 surcharge for taxis between 11 PM and 7 AM — and the same USD 5 applies all day Sunday and on holidays, regardless of the hour. Transfers typically have no surcharge.
Currency is simple in Aruba. The florin is pegged to the US dollar, and the official taxi list converts at 1 USD = 1.80 AWG. USD is accepted everywhere and you do not need to exchange money. EUR is less commonly accepted directly.
Common money traps
- Paying per person instead of per car: Taxi fares are per vehicle. If a driver tries to charge per person, they are overcharging. Politely point to the rate card.
- Currency confusion: The florin (AWG) and USD are used interchangeably. Make sure you know which currency a price is quoted in, though at most businesses USD pricing is standard.
- ATM fees: ATMs dispense AWG or USD. International withdrawal fees vary by bank. Most businesses accept cards.
The honest recommendation
For most visitors heading to the hotel strip, a taxi is the best balance of price and convenience. The fixed-rate system is transparent and fair, and you can check your fare against the government list before you land. At USD 40-41 to Palm Beach split among a couple or family, it is fair value. Pre-booked transfers are worth it for large groups, if you need child seats, or if you are arriving on a Sunday or after 11 PM when the taxi surcharge bites. The public bus only makes sense for budget travellers going to Oranjestad specifically.
When a private transfer from AUA is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Oranjestad City Center is from €78, about €20 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
AUA → Oranjestad City Center from €58Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.