Taxis are one of the easiest ways to get around Aruba — no apps, no negotiating, no surprises. Fares are set by the Government of Aruba and apply to every licensed taxi on the island, so you’ll pay the same rate no matter which cab you get into.

What does change is whether you know the current rates, surcharges, and rules before you ride — which is exactly what this guide covers.

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New in 2026: Official Fares Now at Taxi.aw

As of May 20, 2026, Aruba’s official taxi fares are published at taxi.aw, designated as the authoritative source by Ministerial Decree. Every licensed taxi is now required to display a QR code linking to taxi.aw inside the vehicle, clearly visible to passengers.

This matters for two reasons: first, fare disputes now have a clear, government-backed reference point. Second, if fares are updated in the future, taxi.aw will always reflect the current rates.

Before any trip, you can calculate your exact fare using the Taxi Fares Calculator at taxi.aw. Just pick your starting point and destination and it shows the total including any applicable surcharges.

The Golden Rule: TX License Plates Only

Only taxis with a TX license plate are legally authorized to provide taxi service in Aruba. This is how the government identifies licensed, regulated drivers.

If you exit the airport and someone approaches you offering a ride without an official taxi queue position, walk past them to the official taxi stand. If someone waves you down on the street and their vehicle doesn’t have a TX plate, decline. This isn’t being overly cautious. It’s just how the system works, and it protects you.

How Taxi Fares Work in Aruba

Aruba taxis don’t have meters. Fares are fixed by destination, not distance or time (except for waiting time and hourly hire… more on that below). Every licensed driver uses the same rate chart, meaning there’s no reason to shop around or haggle. Agree on the destination before you get in, and the fare is what it is.

Base Fare Rules

• Minimum fare: US$10 (Afl. 18)
• Capacity: 1–4 passengers per taxi at the base rate
• Extra passengers: US$3 (Afl. 5.40) per person for passenger 5, 6, or 7
• Maximum capacity: 7 passengers — no driver is permitted to exceed this
• Exchange rate: US$1 = Afl. 1.80; payment accepted in USD or Aruban florins

Common Airport Fares (Examples)

For the most accurate fare for your specific trip, use the calculator at taxi.aw. These examples give you a ballpark:

Route	Approx. Fare (1–4 passengers)
Airport → Oranjestad	~$21
Airport → Eagle Beach / Low-rise hotels	~$26
Airport → Palm Beach / High-rise hotels	~$31

Fares are set by the Government of Aruba and subject to change. Always verify at taxi.aw before your trip.

Surcharges: When Fares Are Higher

A flat US$5 (Afl. 9) surcharge applies (charged once per trip, not per person) under these conditions:

• Sundays
• Official Aruban public holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Dia di Betico (Jan 25), Carnival Monday, National Anthem & Flag Day (Mar 18), Good Friday, Easter Monday, King’s Day (Apr 27), Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day, Christmas Day (Dec 25), Boxing Day (Dec 26)
• Daily between 11:00pm and 7:00am
• December 24 through January 1 (the full holiday stretch)

If your trip falls into more than one category, say, a Sunday night at midnight, the surcharge is still only applied once.

Luggage Fees: Airport & Hotel Trips

Each passenger is allowed one piece of luggage plus one backpack or handbag at no extra charge. For every additional bag beyond that, a fee of US$3 (Afl. 5.40) per piece applies.

Note: Attaché cases, laptop bags, carry-on bags, and any mobility aids (wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc.) cannot be charged for, those are included regardless.

The same rules apply to trips between hotels and other accommodations.

Luggage Fees: All Other Trips

If you’re not going to/from the airport or between hotels, using the trunk costs an additional US$3 (Afl. 5.40) total (not per item). This charge does not apply to luggage.

Other Fare Conditions Worth Knowing

• Waiting time: If you ask the driver to wait (or the wait is caused by something attributable to you) it’s charged at US$1 (Afl. 1.80) per minute, starting from the requested arrival time.

• Hourly hire: You can hire a taxi by the hour at US$60 (Afl. 108) per hour, with a minimum of two hours. This is popular for island tours and multi-stop days where you want a driver on standby rather than calling a new taxi each time.

• Shared rides: If you’re the first passenger picked up and agree to share the ride, the driver can take additional passengers going to the same destination, and the fare is split among the groups. If you prefer not to share, say so upfront. The driver cannot then take additional passengers.

• Wet or sandy passengers: Drivers are within their rights to decline passengers who are wet or excessively sandy, since water or sand damage to the interior entitles them to recover cleaning or repair costs from the passengers responsible. If you’re coming straight from the beach, rinse off or ask your hotel to call a taxi rather than flagging one down yourself.

*Last updated May 18, 2026

Where to Find a Taxi in Aruba

Taxis are available 24 hours a day across the island. You’ll find official taxi stands at:

• Queen Beatrix International Airport: At the official taxi line immediately outside the arrivals area
• Major hotels: Nearly every resort has a taxi stand or can call one for you
• Cruise ship terminal: Taxis queue for arriving cruise passengers
• Downtown Oranjestad: Flagging one near the Renaissance Marketplace or main shopping streets is usually straightforward

If you can’t find one, ask your hotel front desk or restaurant to call for you. This is the most reliable method in quieter areas or late at night.

How to Pay

Most Aruba taxis are cash only, accepting US dollars and Aruban florins. Credit cards are rare, a small number of drivers accept them, but you cannot count on it. If you only have a card, ask the driver before getting in, or ask your hotel to confirm card-accepting taxis when they call one for you.

Even if a driver accepts a card for the fare, tipping on a card is typically not possible. Carry small bills (ones and fives) for tips and any fare adjustments.

Tipping Your Driver

Tipping isn’t expected but is appreciated for good service. Rounding up to the nearest convenient number, or adding roughly 10% for a driver who helped with luggage or offered local tips, is standard. See our full tipping guide for Aruba.

If You’re Overcharged by a Taxi in Aruba: How to Report It

Drivers are not permitted to charge more than the official government-set fares. If you believe you’ve been overcharged, or experienced unjustified denial of service, you can file a complaint directly through:

• taxi.aw/report
• Phone: +297 594 8660 or +297 564 4050
• Email: complaints@dtp.gov.aw

Complaints are handled by the Department of Public Transportation (Departamento Transporte Publico). Having the driver’s TX plate number and the approximate fare you were charged will strengthen your complaint.

Alternatives to Taxis in Aruba

Taxis are convenient but add up quickly, especially for a week-long trip with daily excursions. A few alternatives worth knowing:

• Rental car: The most cost-effective option for frequent travelers or anyone exploring beyond the hotel strip. See our full rental car guide.

• Airport transfer: A pre-arranged shuttle between the airport and your hotel, often cheaper per person than a taxi for groups. See current transfer options.

• Public bus: Covers the main routes between the hotel areas and Oranjestad at very low cost, though scheduling and routes are limited. See our bus guide.

• Ride-share (Uber, Lyft) are not available in Aruba. Full explanation here.

FAQs about Taxis in Aruba