Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. These rates are from the official government published Official Aruba Taxi Price List and are current as of January 28, 2026.

Yes. Despite the document title, as of January 28, 2026 the government has not released a new price list.

The Aruba Department of Public Transportation (DTP) sets and publishes all official taxi fares in Aruba.

Drivers must follow these government-approved rates and cannot create their own prices.

You can download the current official rate sheet

No. The year range '2018–2022' printed on the rate sheet is simply the outdated document title. The Aruba government has never published a newer official taxi rate list.

See official rates source.

No. Drivers may not charge higher or unofficial prices under any circumstances. The published government rate sheet remains the only legal pricing.

See official rates source and how to avoid overcharge.

You can politely say: "I'm paying the official published taxi fare. What is the total price from the rate sheet?" In addition you can request to see the rate sheet from the driver.

For full guidance, see official rates source.

No—Aruba taxis do not have meters. Rates are defined in zones, based on where you start and end your journey.

Yes, the minimum fare is Afl 12.60 / US$7.00.

Aruba taxi fares are quoted per trip (per taxi), not per person up to 5 passengers per taxi. Still, it's smart to confirm the total with your driver—especially for larger groups, extra stops, or special requests.

The maximum capacity is 5 passengers per taxi, excluding children younger than 2 years old. There a larger van or mini-bus taxis available upon request, but there is no set pricing, inquire when booking.

Official Aruba taxis have "TX" on their license plate and should display a visible driver ID. Only use taxis with these markings to ensure you're riding with a licensed, government-regulated driver.

No. Fares are based solely on your origin and destination zones as listed on the , regardless of which route the driver takes to get there.

Yes. By law, Aruba taxi drivers must present the official government rate sheet upon request.

You are also allowed to take a photo of the rate sheet for reference. This can help avoid confusion later if there is a pricing dispute.

If a driver refuses to show the rate sheet, do not enter the taxi. See driver refuses sheet.

Yes. There is a surcharge of Afl. 5.40 / US$3.00 on Sundays, official holidays, and on regular days from 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM. Always confirm the total fare (including surcharges) before you depart.

For trips to or from the airport, each passenger gets 1 piece of luggage and 1 personal item (backpack/handbag) included free.

Additional luggage costs Afl 3.60 / US$2.00 per piece.

When transferring between hotels (not airport), using the trunk costs Afl 3.60 / US$2.00 per piece. Attaché cases, laptop cases, carry-ons, and mobility equipment cannot be charged for. Multiple stops may incur additional charges—confirm the total fare before departure.

No official guidance exists. Multiple stops may incur additional charges—confirm the total fare before departure.

From drivers: Stops within the same zone, especially on the same route, shouldn't cost extra.

Our experience: We've seen drivers charge double when sharing rides going just two blocks further in the same zone. Trustworthy drivers said this isn't official and dishonest.

Yes. Aruba taxi regulations allow drivers to charge for waiting time.

Official rule: Waiting time may be charged at US $3.00 per 5 minutes.

This applies when the driver waits for you — for example during errands, shopping stops, or multiple short stops. Always confirm the waiting charge before the driver begins waiting.

Yes, you can hire a taxi for approximately US$50 per hour. This can be cost-effective if you're planning multiple stops or want a driver for the day. Confirm the hourly rate with your driver before starting.

Only four official surcharges exist: (1) Afl. 5.40 / US$3.00 for night/Sunday/holidays, (2) Afl 3.60 / US$2.00 per extra piece of luggage, (3) Afl 3.60 / US$2.00 per piece when using the trunk between hotels, and (4) hourly hire at approximately US$50/hour. Drivers cannot invent other fees.

Most Aruba taxis do not accept credit cards. Cash is the standard and expected payment method. While a small number of drivers may accept cards, this is uncommon and should never be assumed. Always plan to pay in cash unless the driver clearly confirms card acceptance before the ride.

Either is commonly accepted. If you pay in USD, you may receive change in florins depending on what the driver has available. If you prefer a specific currency, mention it before you pay.

The official exchange rate is constant Afl. 1.80 to US$1.00 used for taxi pricing.

Carry small US dollar bills when possible. Most taxis do not provide large amounts of change or won't accept bills larger than $20.

Tipping is appreciated but not required. Many visitors round up or tip around 10–15% for great service.

Getting a taxi from the airport is easy! Outside the arrivals terminal at Queen Beatrix International Airport, you'll find a queue of officially certified and trustworthy taxi service providers ready to take you to your destination. Follow the signage to the official taxi area and confirm the fare before departure.

Yes. You are allowed to photograph the official rate sheet. This can help avoid confusion or disputes later. See driver must show sheet.

If you believe you were charged more than the official fare, see already overcharged for the full step-by-step guidance.

Fares depend on your destination area. Use our fare finder to estimate the official published fare for your specific hotel/zone, and confirm the total with your driver before you depart.

Yes—taxis are commonly available near the cruise terminal area and downtown Oranjestad. If you don't see one immediately, nearby taxi stands and hotel staff can usually help.

This depends on where you are. If you're not near a busy tourist area or hotel, it may take a while for a taxi to reach you. We've seen wait times of up to 45 minutes in low season—high season can be even longer. Plan accordingly, especially if you're at one of the beaches where taxis don't typically wait for passengers. Give yourself extra time to avoid missing your ship's departure.

You can find taxis at taxi stands (airport, hotels, major attractions, downtown), ask your hotel concierge or restaurant host to call one. This website helps you estimate fares but does not book taxis.

In theory that should be the case, however we have experienced many situations where the dispatcher did not give us the correct price.

Yes—many visitors request taxis through hotel front desks/concierge, restaurants, or local dispatch services. If you have a preferred driver, you can also arrange pickups directly.

No. There are no rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) in Aruba. Taxis are government-regulated and rideshare apps do not operate on the island.

Yes. Many taxi drivers and dispatch services in Aruba use WhatsApp for booking.

Wait times vary. During high season, especially at night, you may wait 30–60 minutes. Taxis are more readily available at the airport, hotels, and major tourist areas.

Not if you're wet or sandy. Drivers will refuse passengers who are damp, wet, or covered in sand to protect their vehicles. Dry off and change before calling a taxi, or bring dry clothes with you.

It depends on your travel style. If you're staying near restaurants and beaches and only taking 1-2 short trips per day, taxis are often cheaper. For example, two $10 rides per day = $20, or $30 with tips for honest drivers—less than most daily car rental rates. But if you plan to explore the whole island daily or make many trips, a rental car offers better value and flexibility. Use our fare finder to estimate your total taxi costs for the week and compare to rental car prices.

Daily rental rates typically range from $30-60 depending on season and vehicle type. Week-long rentals often offer better daily rates. Compare this to your expected taxi costs—if you're taking more than 3-4 taxi rides per day, a rental car likely saves money.

We calculate fares using the for listed zones/locations. Actual totals can vary due to surcharges, route variations, extra stops, or special arrangements—confirm the total with your driver before you depart.

Choose the closest major hotel/landmark in the same area to get a comparable estimate. If you're unsure, pick a nearby well-known point (hotel, beach access, attraction) and confirm the final fare with the driver.

Use it to verify the official fare for your trip and show the driver if they're charging incorrectly. Always confirm the fare before departing.

Before getting into the taxi, always confirm three things:

1. Your destination
2. The total price
3. Any surcharges (night, Sunday, holiday, luggage, or stops)

A quick agreement before departure prevents most disputes and overcharging issues.

The official rules do not require providing a receipt and some may not. If you require a receipt, ask the driver at the start of the ride so they're prepared to provide one at the end of your trip.

If you believe you were charged incorrectly, review the agreed fare and any applicable surcharges.

For full instructions on handling overcharges, see already overcharged.

Take a photo of the taxi's license plate number before you exit. This makes it much easier to track down the driver and recover your belongings. Contact your hotel or the taxi dispatch service with the plate number.

Hotel-to-hotel transfer rates vary by distance and are listed on the . Use our fare finder to estimate the fare between your specific hotels or resorts.

No. Unlike airport trips, hotel transfers charge Afl 3.60 / US$2.00 per piece of luggage when using the trunk. Attaché cases, laptop cases, carry-ons, and mobility equipment cannot be charged for.

Yes, but confirm any additional stops and charges with your driver before departure. Multiple stops may increase the fare beyond the point-to-point rate listed on the .

Before entering the taxi:

1. Ask the driver for the total fare
2. Compare it to the
3. If it's higher, ask to see the official government rate sheet

Only enter the taxi once the correct official fare is confirmed. See confirm before.

By law, drivers must present the government fare chart when requested. If they refuse, do not enter the taxi. Find another driver and report the incident.

Stay calm and gather the following information as soon as possible:

• Take a photo of the taxi license plate
• Note the taxi number (if visible)
• Record the time, date, and route
• Compare the amount charged with the

If the fare exceeds the official price, call or WhatsApp +297 594 8660 between 8am and 9pm to report the incident.

Common false claims: "The rates expired," "There are new government prices," "Busy season prices," "Tourist rates." None of these are true. The remains the only legal pricing, and drivers cannot charge above it for any reason.

No. Fares are fixed by law and cannot be negotiated up or down. Drivers are not permitted to charge more or less than the official amounts (plus applicable surcharges).

Call or WhatsApp +297 594 8660 between 8am and 9pm. Have ready: taxi license plate number, taxi number (if visible), time and date, route taken, and amount charged.

Arubus fares are: Single ride $2.60 USD (AWG 4.50) per person per boarding—this means each time you get on a bus, you pay $2.60, even if you're transferring. If your journey requires three different buses, you'll pay $2.60 three times ($7.80 total). Round-trip card $5.00 USD (AWG 8.75) covers two boardings (like going out and coming back on the same route). Day pass $15.00 USD (AWG 26.25) gives unlimited rides. USD is accepted and drivers usually give change, though smaller bills help. Large luggage typically isn't allowed. Buses run every 15–40 minutes depending on time of day and connect major hotel/beach areas with downtown Oranjestad.

Many locals and visitors use small shared vans (sometimes called "alternative buses") that aren't the official Arubus service but cover similar routes. These typically charge around $2–$3 per person per trip.

The bus is best if you're traveling light (no large luggage), not in a rush, and going between major tourist areas. At $2.60 per person vs $10+ for a taxi, the bus is significantly cheaper for solo travelers. However, taxis are faster, more convenient, and better value for groups of 2+ people since taxi fares are per vehicle, not per person.

You have two options:

By Bus (per person): Takes 2–3 hours one way. You'll need two buses, paying each time you board:

• Oranjestad → San Nicolas: 60–75 minutes, $2.60
  
• Wait time in San Nicolas: 15–45 minutes
  
• San Nicolas → Baby Beach: 25–30 minutes, $2.60
  
• One-way cost: $5.20 per person | Round trip: $10.40 per person
  
• For a couple: $10.40 one way, $20.80 round trip
  

By Taxi: Takes 45 minutes to 1 hour (longer during rush hour).

• One-way cost: $35 per taxi (up to 5 passengers) | Round trip: $70 per taxi
• For a couple: $35 one way, $70 round trip
• Check the and confirm the fare before departing

Bottom line: For a couple, the taxi costs $24.60 more one way ($49.20 round trip) but saves 1–2 hours each way. Solo travelers save $29.80 one way with the bus if time isn't critical.

We created this site because taxi fare confusion has become common in Aruba. While we recognize that official rates haven't been updated in years and drivers work hard, many visitors report inconsistent pricing—some drivers charge the official fare, others don't. This creates confusion for tourists and makes it harder for honest drivers who follow the rules. Our goal is simple: help everyone know the official fares so tourists can budget properly and drivers who charge correctly are appreciated and rewarded for their honesty.

We're a group of friends who visit Aruba multiple times throughout the year. Between all of us, someone from our group is usually visiting the island at any given time. Many of us prefer taxis over rental cars because we don't venture far from our accommodations. When a typical cab ride costs $10 each way between our hotel and restaurants—that's $20 a day, or $30 when tipping honest drivers—we can't rent the cheapest car costing $35. We created this site to help fellow travelers understand the official fares and support drivers who charge correctly.

We recognize that the official rates haven't been updated in years, and we genuinely feel for the drivers. On most of our $10 routes, we bring $15 because we want to support honest drivers. When a driver charges the correct official price of $10, we give them $15 and say "thank you for being honest"—they earned that extra tip. But if they overcharge us (like $12 when it should be $10), we pay exactly what they asked and tell them "too bad you could've gotten if you charged the correct price." It's not about being stingy—we're happy to pay more for good service. But we hate being taken advantage of. If we wanted to deal with getting overcharged, we could just go to the Bahamas. Honesty deserves to be rewarded, and overcharging shouldn't be.

We watch for official updates and refresh our data when new government rate sheets are published. Last checked: January 28, 2026. If you spot a mismatch, please contact us so we can investigate.