Gino Croes
Last updated: October 25, 2026. Check-in rules and fares change, so confirm the details on the official airport website and taxi.aw before you fly.
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Aruba has one commercial airport: Queen Beatrix International Airport, airport code AUA, on the southwest coast just outside Oranjestad. Every visitor arriving by air lands here. It is about 10 minutes by car from downtown Oranjestad, 15 minutes from Eagle Beach and 20–25 minutes from Palm Beach. Flights to the United States clear U.S. immigration and customs in Aruba before departure, so you land in the U.S. as a domestic passenger.
| Official name | Queen Beatrix International Airport (Reina Beatrix) |
|---|---|
| Airport code | AUA (ICAO: TNCA) |
| Location | Oranjestad, on the southwest coast |
| Airports on the island | One commercial airport |
| U.S. preclearance | Yes, for all flights to the United States |
| Arrive before a U.S. flight | 3 hours (the U.S. terminal opens no earlier than 3 hours before departure) |
| Taxi to Palm Beach | About $41 for up to four people (2026 fares) |
| Entry form | Free online ED Card, required for every air arrival |
What is the airport code for Aruba?
Aruba’s airport code is AUA. It stands for Queen Beatrix International Airport, named after Princess (formerly Queen) Beatrix of the Netherlands. You’ll see AUA on your ticket and baggage tags. The four-letter ICAO code used by pilots is TNCA.
How many airports does Aruba have?
Just one with commercial flights. Queen Beatrix International Airport handles every international and inter-island passenger flight, including the short hops to Curaçao and Bonaire. There’s no second airport in San Nicolas or elsewhere on the island.
Arriving in Aruba: step by step
- Before you fly: fill in the ED Card. The Embarkation/Disembarkation Card is mandatory, free and done online at edcardaruba.aw, the only official site. You can only submit it in the final days before travel. Most visitors also pay the $20 Sustainability Fee through it, though several groups are exempt. Our ED Card guide walks through it and warns about look-alike sites that charge for it.
- Immigration. Have your passport and the ED Card QR code ready. Eligible travelers can use the e-gates for faster processing; minors and some passports go to a staffed booth.
- Baggage claim. Check the monitors for your carousel. Baggage carts are free. A duty-free shop sits in the baggage hall, before customs.
- Customs. You may bring 1 liter of liquor and 1 carton of cigarettes per person duty-free. Declare cash over USD 11,000 at the Customs office. Random checks happen, and the full rules are at douane.aw.
- Arrivals hall. Follow the signs for taxis, car rentals, hotel transfers and tour pickups. The official taxi stand is just outside the exit. Renting a car? Compare the airport rental companies before you land.
Lines are longest in high season (December to April) when several U.S. flights land around the same time, so a pre-arranged transfer or having your ED Card QR code on screen helps.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
Taxi fares from Aruba airport (2026)
Aruba’s taxis have no meters. Fares are fixed by the government, per vehicle for up to four passengers, and published at taxi.aw. A new pricelist took effect on 20 May 2026, so ignore older fare tables you find online.
| From the airport to | Approximate fare |
|---|---|
| Downtown Oranjestad | $26 |
| Low-rise hotels (Druif, Manchebo, Bucuti & Tara) | $37 |
| Eagle Beach (La Cabana, Eagle Aruba, JOIA) | $38 |
| Palm Beach high-rise south (Hilton, RIU, Embassy Suites) | $40 |
| Palm Beach high-rise north (Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton) | $41 |
Add $3 for each passenger beyond four (seven is the maximum), $3 for each extra suitcase beyond one per person, and $5 on Sundays, public holidays, between 11 PM and 7 AM, and from 24 December to 1 January. Every licensed taxi shows a QR code linking to the official fares. There is no Uber or Lyft in Aruba.
Rental cars
The big international brands and several local companies have desks at or near the airport, and some offer a shuttle to their lot. Book ahead for December to April. Our transport guide covers prices, insurance and driving rules, and the transportation costs calculator compares a car with taxis and the bus for your trip.
The bus
Arubus line 2 passes near the airport, but suitcases aren’t allowed on board and you’d have to change at the Oranjestad terminal. On arrival day, take a taxi.
SIM cards and money on arrival
- SIM cards: SETAR has a desk in the arrivals hall that closes at 6 PM. Both SETAR and Digicel sell eSIMs. See our SIM card calculator to compare bundles.
- Money: U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere at a fixed rate of about Afl. 1.79–1.80 per dollar, so most visitors don’t need to change money. Carry some small bills for taxis and tips.
Departing Aruba
Flights to the United States: U.S. preclearance
Aruba is one of only a few airports outside the U.S. with full U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance. You go through U.S. immigration and customs in Aruba, then land in the U.S. like a domestic passenger, with no immigration line on arrival and an easy connection.
- Arrive 3 hours before departure. The U.S. Check-In Terminal admits passengers no earlier than 3 hours before their scheduled departure. If you’re early, you wait outside until your flight is called. If your flight is delayed, still go by the original departure time.
- Check in. Online or app check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Self-bag drop is available for U.S. flights. With carry-on only, go straight to passport control.
- Boarding pass and passport control, then Aruba immigration (e-gates for eligible travelers).
- Security screening. Liquids in containers of 3 oz (100 ml) or less, in one clear quart-sized bag.
- U.S. CBP preclearance. The free Mobile Passport Control app and Global Entry both work here and can save a lot of time. After CBP you go to your gate.
The U.S. Check-In Terminal
Aruba opened a new U.S. Check-In Terminal on 8 April 2025, the first phase of the airport’s Gateway 2030 expansion. Delta, United, Southwest and Spirit moved into it first. In the new terminal you enter through Door A, check in at a kiosk or counter, and leave through Door B towards access control and immigration. Your checked bags go straight through to your destination, so you don’t collect and re-drop them at U.S. customs.
The move of American Airlines and JetBlue to the new terminal was postponed, and at last check they still used the original U.S. check-in hall, where you collect your bags before CBP and drop them again afterwards. Your airline’s app or the airport’s U.S. check-in page shows which building to go to. Drop-off for the new terminal is in a separate lane in front of it.
Flights to other destinations
Flights to Canada, Europe, South America and the other Caribbean islands use the non-U.S. control area. There’s no preclearance, so you clear immigration and customs on arrival at your destination. Check with your airline for the recommended arrival time; two to three hours is sensible in high season.
Food, shops and lounges
There are cafés, snack bars and duty-free shops after security, with Aruban souvenirs such as aloe products and Dutch cheese. Travelers often ask about Starbucks: the airport has had one in the departures area, but because of the expansion works most shops and restaurants on the right side after security closed on 1 May 2026 and are being moved to other gate areas. Check the airport’s dining page for what’s open in your area, and eat before security if you’re short on time. Paid VIP lounges and fast-track processing are run by the airport’s VIP concierge service. Parking at the airport gets very full in peak periods, so allow extra time if someone is dropping you off.
Airlines and nonstop routes to Aruba
AUA has nonstop flights from more than 15 U.S. cities, plus Canada, Europe and South America. Main routes as of October 2026:
| Region | Airlines and cities |
|---|---|
| United States | American (Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia; seasonal Chicago, Dallas, New York–LaGuardia), Delta (Atlanta, New York–JFK; seasonal Boston, Minneapolis, and Detroit from 19 December 2026), JetBlue (Boston, Fort Lauderdale, New York–JFK), United (Chicago, Houston, Newark, Washington–Dulles), Southwest (Baltimore, Orlando), Sun Country (seasonal Minneapolis) |
| Canada | Air Canada Rouge and WestJet (Toronto); new this winter: Porter from Toronto (from 30 October 2026) and Ottawa (from 7 November), Air Canada (from 6 December) and Air Transat (from 12 December) from Montréal |
| Europe | KLM and TUI fly (Amsterdam) |
| South and Central America | Avianca, LATAM, Wingo (Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla and more), Aerolíneas Argentinas (Buenos Aires), LATAM (Lima), Copa (Panama City) |
| Caribbean | Divi Divi Air, Z Air and Winair (Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten), Arajet and Sky High (Santo Domingo), Surinam Airways (Paramaribo) |
Routes and seasons change; see our guide to flights to Aruba for routes, flight times and more on each airline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the airport code for Aruba?
AUA, for Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad.
How early should I get to Aruba airport?
Three hours before a flight to the United States. The U.S. terminal won’t let you in earlier than that. For other destinations, follow your airline’s advice.
Does Aruba have U.S. customs preclearance?
Yes. You clear U.S. immigration and customs in Aruba before boarding and arrive in the U.S. as a domestic passenger. Global Entry and the Mobile Passport Control app both work.
How much is a taxi from Aruba airport to Palm Beach?
About $41 for up to four passengers under the fares in force since 20 May 2026. Eagle Beach is $38, the low-rise hotels $37 and downtown Oranjestad $26.
How far is Aruba airport from the hotels?
About 10 minutes to Oranjestad, 15 minutes to Eagle Beach and 20–25 minutes to Palm Beach by car, depending on traffic.
Can I walk from the cruise terminal to the airport?
No. It’s a few kilometers along a busy road. Take a taxi; see our cruise port guide if you’re combining a cruise with a flight.
Planning the rest of the trip? Start with the ED Card, then decide where to stay and check our first-trip essentials.
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