Aruba Airport (AUA) Arrival Guide: From the Plane to Your Hotel
By Guljar Hosen · Facts checked 20 September 2026
Aruba's airport is Queen Beatrix International Airport, known as AUA, and it is run by Aruba Airport Authority. Arriving takes five steps: leaving the plane, immigration, baggage claim, customs and the arrivals hall. Before you fly you also need the ED card. This guide walks through each step and shows how to get from the terminal to your hotel.
The airport facts come from the Aruba Airport Authority's own website, read on 20 September 2026. Taxi fares come from taxi.aw and bus facts from Arubus. Where a fact is a company's own statement, we say so.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Every traveler needs an approved ED card, filled out within seven days before the trip. Visitors arriving by air pay a $20 sustainability fee.
- Arrival has five steps: leave the plane, immigration, baggage claim, customs, arrivals hall.
- Customs: report cash above USD 11,000; allowances include 1 liter of spirits, 2.25 liters of wine and 3 liters of beer.
- Taxis wait at the official stand near the exit, and pre-arranged transfers follow the signs to their own area.
- The two main hotel areas are about 15 to 20 minutes away, as stated on our home page.
Before you fly: the ED card
Every traveler needs an approved ED card before boarding a flight to Aruba.
Who
Every traveler, including infants and children, must complete the Embarkation-Disembarkation card (ED card) and have it approved.
When
You can fill it out within seven days before your trip.
Fee
Since 1 July 2024 visitors arriving by air pay a $20 sustainability fee. Check the official ED card site for how the fee applies to you.
Where
Use the official site, edcardaruba.aw. At the airport you show your passport and the ED card QR code.
Forgot it? You must complete it online before you reach the immigration counter, which may cause delays. For how long your passport must be valid, the airport refers travelers to Aruban immigration and US Customs and Border Protection.
From the plane to the arrivals hall, step by step
The airport describes arrival as five steps, and you follow the signs for each one.
- 1
Leave the plane
Collect all your belongings and follow the signs to the Arrivals area, then the "Arrivals hall" and "Baggage re-claim" signs inside the terminal. Keep your passport and ED card QR code within easy reach.
- 2
Immigration
All arriving passengers must clear immigration before entering Aruba. Have your passport and ED card QR code ready. An immigration officer checks your travel documents, and eligible travelers may use the e-gates for faster processing.
- 3
Baggage claim
After immigration, go to the baggage re-claim area. Check the overhead monitors for your flight number and your carousel, and collect all your checked luggage before moving on.
- 4
Customs
With your luggage, go to Aruba Customs Control. There is one duty-free store in the baggage claim area, before customs. Random inspections may occur.
- 5
Arrivals hall
After customs you exit into the arrivals hall, where you meet family, friends or transport representatives. If you have arranged a hotel transfer, a car rental or a tour, follow the signs to your area.
Customs: what you can bring
Customs comes right after baggage claim, and a few allowances are worth knowing before you pack.
- $11,000
- Cash above this amount (USD) must be reported to the Customs Office on arrival
- 1 L
- Spirits (distilled beverage), per the airport's FAQ
- 2.25 L
- Wine
- 3 L
- Beer
- 1 carton
- Cigarettes per person, duty free
From the Aruba Airport Authority website, read 20 September 2026.
Allowances, restricted items and rules can change. The complete and current list is on the official customs website, douane.aw.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
You have four ways to leave the arrivals hall, and each fits a different trip.
| OPTION | HOW IT WORKS | GOOD TO KNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed taxi | Taxis are available outside the terminal; look for the official taxi stand near the exit | Fares are set by the government by hotel zone and published at taxi.aw. See the Aruba taxi rates guide below |
| Pre-arranged transfer | Follow the signs to your area after customs | With Dushi Transfers your driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign and tracks your flight |
| Bus (Arubus) | Arubus says that on Line 2 you can travel to and from the airport | No luggage on the bus, only carry-on items |
| Rental car | Follow the signs to your car rental area | A separate decision from a ride; not covered here |
Compare fares in our Aruba taxi rates guide, read why there is no Uber in Aruba, or see our Aruba airport transfer service.
How far are the hotels?
The two main hotel areas are about 15 to 20 minutes from the airport.
As stated on our home page: about 20 minutes from the airport to the high-rise hotel zone (Palm Beach), and about 15 minutes to Eagle Beach and the low-rise resorts. Traffic varies, so allow extra time for a connection or a dinner reservation.
Not sure which zone your hotel is in? Our hotel transfers page lists the hotels by zone.
Leaving Aruba
For departures, the airport recommends checking in 3 hours before your flight.
Flying to the United States? You pass Aruban passport and customs control and then US Customs and Border Protection, because US pre-clearance is available in Aruba. The airport explains that this way you skip additional security controls on arrival in the US.
Your ride to the airport: tell us your flight time when you book and we plan the ride around the 3 hours. Our drivers do airport pickups and drop-offs at Queen Beatrix, and we track your flight on every pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport does Aruba have, and what is AUA?
Aruba's airport is Queen Beatrix International Airport, code AUA. It is run by Aruba Airport Authority, and its own website has a guide for arriving and departing passengers.
Do I need an ED card for Aruba?
Yes. Every traveler, including infants and children, must complete and get approval for the ED card, and you can fill it out within seven days before your trip. Visitors arriving by air have paid a $20 sustainability fee since 1 July 2024. Use the official site, edcardaruba.aw.
Do you go through customs at Aruba airport?
Yes. After you collect your luggage you go to Aruba Customs Control. Report cash above USD 11,000, and note the allowances of 1 liter of spirits, 2.25 liters of wine, 3 liters of beer and 1 carton of cigarettes per person. Random inspections may occur, and douane.aw has the full rules.
Where do I find my driver or a taxi at arrivals?
After customs you exit into the arrivals hall. If you pre-arranged a transfer, follow the signs to your area. Taxis are available outside the terminal at the official taxi stand near the exit. With Dushi Transfers your driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign.
How long does it take to get from the airport to my hotel?
As stated on our home page, about 20 minutes to the high-rise hotel zone (Palm Beach) and about 15 minutes to Eagle Beach and the low-rise resorts. Traffic varies.
How early should I get to the airport when I leave Aruba?
The airport recommends a check-in time of 3 hours before your scheduled departure for all flights. If you fly to the United States, you also pass US pre-clearance in Aruba.
WRITTEN BY
UI/UX designer and software engineer. He runs NeoDimensional, the software studio behind this website.
