← Part of the Aruba money guide
Arubachecked Jul 2026A catch or twoGetting around Aruba: taxis, buses and cars
Short answer: taxis run on fixed government rates rather than meters, there is no Uber, and a rental car or the cheap public bus fills the gaps. Here is how each works and what it costs.
At a glance
Getting around
Fixed-rate taxis (no Uber)
Taxis
Agree the posted fare first
Airport to Palm Beach
About $28
Cheaper
The Arubus along the coast
Aruba taxis are fixed-rate, not metered, and there is no Uber or Lyft on the island, so agree the posted fare before you ride. Fares are set by the government (the airport to the Palm Beach hotels is roughly 28 dollars). The Arubus public bus is cheap and runs the main coastal route, and renting a car is popular for reaching quieter beaches and Arikok National Park. You can pay taxis in US dollars, ideally in small bills.
The official route
The public bus runs between Oranjestad, the hotel areas and San Nicolas for a low flat fare. Confirm current fares and routes locally.
Arubus: the island's public bus service(opens in a new tab) we earn nothing
Taxis: fixed rates, no meter
Aruba's taxis do not use meters. Instead the government sets fixed fares by route, and drivers carry the rate card, so agree the fare before you get in. A late-evening surcharge can apply. There is no ride-hailing app (no Uber or Lyft), so you find taxis at stands, hotels or by phone.
You can pay in US dollars, and small bills are easiest since drivers may not break a large note. A tip is not required, though rounding up is common.
The bus, and the tram
The Arubus runs a cheap, reliable service along the coast between Oranjestad, the Eagle and Palm Beach hotel strips and San Nicolas, with a low flat fare payable in cash. It is an easy, budget-friendly way to get between town and the beaches.
In downtown Oranjestad, a free streetcar (tram) loops the main street, handy for the cruise port and shops.
Renting a car
For the freedom to reach the north coast, the natural pool and Arikok National Park, many visitors rent a car (a 4x4 helps for the rougher interior tracks). You drive on the right, a US license is fine, and fuel is sold in liters and priced in florin.
For how to pay, tipping and the taxes on your hotel, see the Aruba money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Is there Uber in Aruba?
No. There is no Uber or Lyft in Aruba. Getting around is by fixed-rate taxi, the cheap Arubus public bus, or a rental car. Taxis are found at stands, hotels or by phone, and because they are not metered, you agree the government-set fare before you ride.
How much is a taxi in Aruba?
Taxis charge fixed, government-set fares by route rather than using a meter, so ask or check the posted rate first. As a guide, the airport to the Palm Beach hotels is roughly 28 dollars, with a possible surcharge late in the evening. You can pay in US dollars, and small bills are easiest.
Is public transport in Aruba any good?
Yes, for the main corridor. The Arubus runs a cheap, reliable service along the coast between Oranjestad, the Eagle and Palm Beach hotels and San Nicolas, paid in cash at a low flat fare. A free tram also loops downtown Oranjestad. For quieter beaches and the interior, a rental car is more practical.
Do I need to rent a car in Aruba?
Not for a beach-and-resort trip served by taxis and the bus, but a rental car is worth it if you want to explore the north coast, the natural pool and Arikok National Park at your own pace. A 4x4 helps on the rougher tracks, a US license is accepted, and you drive on the right.
More on Aruba
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Tipping in ArubaAruba leans closer to US-style tipping than most of the Caribbean, thanks to heavy US tourism. Check the bill for a service charge, and tip a bit more if none is added. Here is what you actually owe.
- Do I need cash in Aruba, or can I use cards and dollars?Short answer: you can do almost the whole trip on a card and US dollars, and you never need to exchange for florin. Here is how to pay, and the one habit that saves you money.
- Do US citizens need a visa for Aruba?Short answer: no visa, but there is a form you must do before you fly, and it now costs 20 dollars a person. Here is what it is, and how to avoid paying extra to a lookalike site.
- Aruba hotel taxes and fees, explainedShort answer: the headline room rate is not what you pay. Between government levies and hotel charges, a nightly rate can climb by a quarter to a third. Here is exactly what stacks on top.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- Arubuspublic bus routes and fares
- US State DepartmentAruba local travel and road safety
Our own readFixed taxi fares, bus fares and car-rental practicalities are our read from recent traveler reports, not a single official rate sheet, so confirm current fares locally. Checked July 2026.