Aruba is a small island — 32 kilometres long and 10 kilometres wide — which means getting around is genuinely straightforward. But the right transport choice makes a significant difference to your experience. Here’s every option broken down honestly.
Planning a trip to Aruba?
One email before you go, with what is worth booking ahead and what is not. No weekly newsletter.
By submitting you agree we can email you about your Aruba trip. One or two emails, then nothing. Unsubscribe in one click from any of them.
Transport Options in Aruba
Rental Car — Recommended for Most Visitors
A rental car gives you total freedom to reach every part of the island — Baby Beach, Zeerovers, San Nicolas, Arikok, Malmok, Arashi, and anywhere else on your own schedule. Most of Aruba’s best experiences require leaving the Palm Beach hotel strip, and a car makes this easy.
Cost: $50–80/day for a compact. $70–100/day for a 4×4 (needed for Arikok and the Natural Pool road). Petrol is inexpensive. You don’t need a car every day — renting for 2–3 days of a 7-day trip covers everything. Major operators: Avis, Hertz, Budget, and local companies near the airport. Full car rental guide
Drive on the right. Speed limits in km/h. Roads in tourist areas are well-maintained. The Arikok interior roads are rough — 4×4 mandatory for the Natural Pool route. Parking is generally free and available throughout the island.
Taxis — Convenient but Add Up
Taxis are plentiful in Aruba and fares are government-set (not metered). Common fares: airport to Palm Beach $25–35; Palm Beach to Oranjestad $15–20; Palm Beach to Eagle Beach $10–15; Palm Beach to Baby Beach $40–50.
Taxis queue at the airport, major hotels, and the cruise pier. No Uber or Rideshare operates in Aruba. Tipping optional (rounding up appreciated). For a short trip, taxis are convenient. For a full day of island exploration, the costs add up fast — a rental car becomes better value.
Dushi Bus (Arubus) — The Budget Option
The public bus system (Arubus, colloquially the Dushi Bus) runs along the main coastal route from Oranjestad through Eagle Beach and Palm Beach to the north, and separately to San Nicolas. Air-conditioned. Runs approximately 6 AM–midnight. Fare: 2–4 AWG (~$1–2.50 USD) per trip. A transit pass covers multiple rides.
The bus is excellent for getting between Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and Oranjestad. It doesn’t reach Arikok, Baby Beach, Malmok, or Arashi efficiently. For those destinations, you need a car or taxi.
Scooters and Motorcycles
Scooters are rentable from several operators near Palm Beach. Cost: $40–60/day. Good for exploring the hotel strip and nearby areas. Less suitable for the rough interior roads or long distances. Helmets required by law. Not recommended for first-time scooter riders given road conditions and traffic.
Bicycle
Cycling is feasible between Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and Oranjestad along the coastal path — a pleasant 3–5 km route in each direction. The route is mostly flat. Not suitable for reaching Arikok, the northern beaches, or the south of the island in the heat. Bicycle rentals available from several hotels and operators on Palm Beach.
Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel
Reina Beatrix Airport is approximately 15–20 minutes from Palm Beach. Options: Taxi ($25–35, official taxi rank outside arrivals), hotel shuttle (many hotels offer pre-booked transfers), rental car (counters inside/adjacent to arrivals). No Uber. No public bus directly from the airport.
Getting Around Within Palm Beach
The Palm Beach hotel strip is walkable — the entire strip is approximately 3 km. Walking between hotels, restaurants, and beach bars is easy and pleasant. The main J.E. Irausquin Boulevard is busy but has pavements throughout. Most visitors walk for anything within the strip and take taxis or rent a car for anything further.
Not essential, but strongly recommended for at least 2–3 days. Without a car you’re limited to the Palm Beach hotel strip and organised tours. With a car, you reach Baby Beach, Arikok, Zeerovers, San Nicolas, Malmok, and Arashi freely. A 4×4 is needed for the Natural Pool road.
Government-set fares: airport to Palm Beach $25–35; Palm Beach to Oranjestad $15–20; Palm Beach to Eagle Beach $10–15; Palm Beach to Baby Beach $40–50. No Uber operates in Aruba.
Yes — Arubus (Dushi Bus) runs along the coastal route between Oranjestad, Eagle Beach, and Palm Beach for $1–2.50 per trip. It runs 6 AM–midnight. Good for getting between the main tourist areas cheaply. Doesn’t serve Arikok, Baby Beach, or the northern beaches efficiently.
Within Palm Beach (the hotel strip, approximately 3 km) yes — everything is walkable. Oranjestad is also walkable within the centre. For anything beyond these areas — beaches north of Palm Beach, the southern coast, Arikok — you need a car, taxi, or organised tour.
Official taxis queue outside arrivals (government-set fare $25–35). Many hotels offer pre-booked airport transfers. Rental car counters are adjacent to arrivals. No Uber or rideshare operates in Aruba. The journey takes 15–20 minutes.
🚗 Aruba car rental guide | ✈️ Aruba airport guide | 💰 Aruba tipping guide
🎯 Book Top-Rated Aruba Tours
Free cancellation on most. Prices shown are per person.
Compare 100+ hotels. Free cancellation on most.
Planning your Aruba trip? Browse the best Aruba tours, top beaches and recommended hotels for honest reviews and direct booking.
Three that consistently deliver
Chosen on rating and review count, not commission.
Live prices from Viator · free cancellation up to 24 hours before · we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
4,000+ reviews · Free cancellation on most · Best price guaranteed
Frequently asked questions
How much is an airport transfer in Aruba?
Private transfers from Queen Beatrix start around $18. For three or more people that usually beats a metered taxi, and the price is fixed before you travel.
How long is the drive from the airport?
Roughly 15 to 25 minutes to the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach resorts, and under ten minutes to Oranjestad.
Should I pre-book or just take a taxi?
Pre-booking gets you a fixed price and a driver waiting in arrivals. Taxis are readily available too, but rates are set by zone rather than meter, so confirm the fare before setting off.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not for a beach-focused trip. For Arikok National Park, Baby Beach and the north coast a car helps, though most people cover those on an organised tour instead.
🎟️ Pair Your Dinner with an Aruba Tour
Browse top-rated Aruba experiences — catamaran cruises, off-road adventures, snorkeling trips, and more. Booked directly through Viator.
Bring Aruba Home With You
Authentic Aruba merch — designed by locals, shipped worldwide.
Free cancellation • All major rental companies • Lowest price guarantee
✈️ Search Flights & Hotels to Aruba
Compare prices across airlines and hotels in seconds.
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
We are an independent Aruba travel guide. Our rankings are honest — we track live prices across 460+ tours and 180+ hotels, we update guides continuously, and no operator can pay for a better review. Read our editorial policy and who we are.
✈️ Cheap Flights to Aruba
Live lowest round-trip fares found on Aviasales
🚕 Airport Transfers
Pre-book a private transfer from Queen Beatrix Airport to your hotel
We earn a small commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations.