Aruba is compact — about 20 miles end to end — but how you get around determines how much of it you’ll actually see. Here are your options from the moment you land at Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA).
See the wild side of Aruba: top jeep and UTV tours
Airport Transfers
Taxis from the airport run on fixed government rates — roughly $25–$35 to the hotel zones. For groups or guaranteed pickup, pre-booked private transfers cost about the same and your driver waits with a name sign, no haggling required.
Renting a Car
If you plan to visit Baby Beach, San Nicolas, Arikok, or the natural bridges, rent a car for at least a day or two — the whole island opens up. Driving is on the right, roads are good on the west side and rough in the park (that’s what jeep tours are for), and parking is free almost everywhere. Book ahead in high season; small local agencies and international brands both operate on-island.
The Public Bus (Arubus)
Arubus runs frequent, air-conditioned service between Oranjestad and the hotel zones for a few dollars a ride — genuinely useful for the beach strip and downtown. Routes to the island’s south and east are thinner, so plan around them or rent a car for those days.
Taxis, ATVs, and Everything Else
Taxis are metered by zone (no Uber on Aruba as of this writing) — confirm the fare before you ride. UTVs and ATVs double as transport and adventure for the north coast. And within Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, honestly, you can walk almost everywhere that matters.
Stay Connected
Skip roaming charges with a travel eSIM — install before you fly and you’re online the second you land.
Getting around Aruba: what we tell friends
Getting around Aruba is easy once you match the transport to your plans. Staying on the resort strips and doing boat days? Taxis and tour pickups cover you. Want Baby Beach, San Nicolas, and Arikok? Then rent a car for two or three days and explore at your own pace.
- Airport transfers: fixed-price taxis wait at arrivals.
- Car rental: book early in high season, and choose 4×4 only for Arikok.
- Arubus: cheap and reliable along the hotel strips.
- Taxis: metered by zone — agree the fare before you ride.
🚗 Renting a car? Read how airport pick-up works at AUA and when a jeep is worth it.
Getting around Aruba: FAQ
Not for the whole trip. Because tours include pickup, many visitors rent a car for just a day or two.
Yes. Driving is on the right, distances are short, and parking at most beaches is free. See where those beaches are in our beach guide.
With transport sorted, lock in the fun part: the best Aruba tours and a table from our restaurant guide.
If driving is not your plan, pre-booked transfers and guided days cover the whole island.
Some links on this page are affiliate links — full disclosure.
Worried about safety? Read our honest local answer to is Aruba safe — the real risks here are the sea, the sun and the roads, not crime.
Staying connected? See our guide to SIM cards and wifi in Aruba — Setar, Digicel, eSIMs, and the places coverage disappears.