Arriving in Aruba: Private Transfer, Rental Car or Jeep?
By Guljar Hosen · Prices checked 28 September 2026
You land in Aruba with bags and a plan, and three choices: a private transfer, a rental car, or a Jeep or UTV. They solve different problems, so the right one depends on your group, your luggage and what you want to do.
This guide helps you choose by situation, and shows how many visitors combine them: a transfer on arrival, then a rental delivered to the hotel for the days they want to drive. Rental prices come from our sister companies, are before tax, and apply to the dates stated.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A private transfer suits groups, families, late landings and anyone who wants the arrival handled.
- A rental car suits visitors who want to explore on their own schedule.
- A Jeep or UTV is an adventure day, not an airport ride.
- Our sister companies Real Deal Car Rental and Aventurova deliver cars and Jeeps free to the airport, cruise port and most hotels.
- Many visitors combine a transfer on arrival with a rental later.
QUICK ANSWER
Choose a private transfer for the airport arrival, especially with a group, children or lots of luggage. Choose a rental car if you want to drive the island yourself, or a Jeep or UTV for an adventure day. Many visitors combine them: a transfer from the airport, then a rental delivered to the hotel on the day they want to explore.
Three ways to start your Aruba trip
You land, you have bags, and you need to decide how to get around.
There are three sensible answers: a private transfer, a rental car, or a Jeep or UTV. They solve different problems, so the right one depends on what you want to do, not on which is cheapest.
A private transfer: best for the arrival
One fixed, all-in price agreed before you fly, and a driver waiting at arrivals with a name sign.
A private transfer with Dushi Transfers means you land to a driver, not a queue for keys. We track your flight, so a delayed landing is covered. It suits groups, because one Mercedes-Benz Sprinter carries up to 14 people together and our SUV up to 5 (4 with airport bags). It suits families with children, because car seats are set up when you tell us the ages. It suits a late landing or a long travel day, and it suits anyone who would rather spend the first evening at the hotel than behind the wheel. The drive to most hotel zones is about 15 to 20 minutes, as stated on our home page.
If you only need a one-off ride and travel light, a licensed taxi at the government fare is the other option: for example $41 to Palm Beach for one to four people (taxi.aw price list, checked 19 September 2026). Our Aruba airport transportation page compares taxi, shuttle, bus and private transfer side by side, and our private airport transfer page shows what is included.
A rental car: best if you want to drive
A rental car gives you freedom a transfer does not, if you want to explore on your own schedule.
If your plan is beaches, restaurants and the north coast at your own pace, a rental car makes sense. Our sister company Real Deal Car Rental rents cars, SUVs and vans, with cars from $59.99 a day for rentals until 17 Dec, before tax. Pick-up and return are at the airport, the cruise port, the Ponton 49 office or any address or hotel, with free delivery to the airport, cruise port and most hotels. Rentals from 18 December are charged at high-season rates, so check the rate for your dates when you book.
A rental car is the wrong choice if you are landing late and tired, travelling with a big group, or planning evenings out where nobody wants to drive.
A Jeep or UTV: best for an adventure day
A Jeep Wrangler or a UTV is less a way to get around than a day out in itself.
Our sister company Aventurova rents Jeeps and UTVs only. Jeep Wranglers start from $129.99 a day at the 7-day rate for pick-ups until 18 Dec, before tax, with higher rates for nights from 19 Dec, and UTVs start from $240 for 4 hours, before tax. A deposit applies ($500, or $1,000 for the Talon). Jeeps are delivered free to the airport, cruise port and most hotels.
It suits people who want the rough coast, off-road driving and the views, and who are happy to plan the route. It does not suit an airport arrival with suitcases.
Which one fits you?
Match the choice to your situation.
| YOUR SITUATION | BEST CHOICE | WHY |
|---|---|---|
| Group of 5 or more, or lots of luggage | Private transfer | One Sprinter carries up to 14 together |
| Family with young children | Private transfer | Car seats ready on arrival |
| Late landing | Private transfer | Flight tracking, driver waiting at arrivals |
| Explore on your own for several days | Rental car | Freedom to go where you like |
| A big adventure day | Jeep or UTV | The experience is the point |
| One-off ride, light bags | Licensed taxi | Government fare by zone, no booking needed |
Combine them
You do not have to choose once.
Arrive by private transfer, settle in, and rent a car or Jeep for the days you want to drive; both of our sister companies deliver cars and Jeeps free to the airport, cruise port and most hotels. For the days you do not want to drive, our private driver by the hour and private island tours cover the rest, and groups can see our group transportation. Our guide to getting around Aruba without a car shows what that looks like, and the Aruba airport arrival guide covers what happens after you land.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rent a car or take a private transfer from Aruba airport?
A transfer suits groups, families and late arrivals; a rental suits people who want to drive and explore on their own. Many visitors do both: a transfer on arrival, a rental later.
Do I need a rental car in Aruba?
Not for the airport or for a hotel stay: a transfer, a licensed taxi or a private driver covers those. A rental car is worth it if you want to explore independently.
Can a rental car be delivered to my hotel in Aruba?
Our sister companies Real Deal Car Rental and Aventurova offer free delivery of cars and Jeeps to the airport, cruise port and most hotels.
How much is a rental car in Aruba?
Real Deal Car Rental has cars from $59.99 a day for rentals until 17 Dec, before tax. Rentals from 18 Dec are charged at high-season rates.
Can I rent a Jeep or UTV in Aruba?
Yes. Aventurova rents Jeeps and UTVs: Wranglers from $129.99 a day at the 7-day rate for pick-ups until 18 Dec, before tax, with higher rates for nights from 19 Dec, and UTVs from $240 for 4 hours, before tax.
How many people fit in a private transfer?
One Mercedes-Benz Sprinter carries up to 14 passengers together. Our SUV carries up to 5 guests, or 4 with airport bags.
WRITTEN BY
UI/UX designer and software engineer. He runs NeoDimensional, the software studio behind this website.
