Renting a Car in Aruba From a Cruise Ship: A One-Day Plan

A rental car is worth it on a port day if you want more than one stop, or you want to leave and return on your own clock.

Aruba is 32 km long and 10 km across at its widest, and the whole island can be driven end to end in under an hour. Even the far beaches are within reach of a port day, if you plan the drive.

A car is worth it if:

• You are travelling as a family or a group.

  One car carries everyone to one beach. Arubus takes carry-on items only, and a taxi carries up to 7 passengers.

• You want a second stop.

  A beach first, then lunch somewhere quieter, on your schedule.

• You are bringing beach gear.

  Chairs, a cooler and towels ride in the trunk, not on your lap.

You can skip it if:

• You have only a short call.

  With little time ashore, Oranjestad on foot may be the better plan. Aruba Ports Authority notes that the shops are a short distance from the terminal.

• You only want the hotel-strip beaches.

  Arubus routes L10A, L10B and L10C run from the main station, across from the terminal, along the hotel strip to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Arashi Beach.

• You would rather not drive.

  Taxis have no meter and fixed rates by route. For what a route costs, see Dushi Transfers' guide to Aruba taxi rates.

Sources: Aruba Ports Authority, Facilities & Services; Arubus FAQ; onehappyisland.com, Aruba Map; aruba.com, Aruba Taxis & Limos. Checked 20 Sep 2026.

It takes four steps, and only the first happens before you leave home.

1. 1: Book for your ship day

   Pick your dates on the booking page and choose a vehicle. Rates depend on your dates, so you see the exact total before you pay. Cancel more than 24 hours before pick-up and it is free.

2. 2: We meet you at the port

   Real Deal delivers to the cruise port for free. Port security is strict: everyone entering the port needs a Security ID Badge and a Car Pass, or must follow the visitor protocol. So we meet you where the port allows, confirmed when you book.

3. 3: Drive your plan

   Head for the beach you chose, with the drive time and your all-aboard time in mind. The next two sections show how to count backward.

4. 4: Bring it back and board

   Return the car with the same amount of fuel it was delivered with, or our fuel rate applies. Leave time for the walk back to the ship.

Source for port access: Aruba Ports Authority, Port Access Procedures. Checked 20 Sep 2026.

Start from your all-aboard time and count backward.

Drive times are estimates for paved roads. Add extra time in cruise-ship season and around Palm Beach at sunset. Going along the coast from Oranjestad you reach Eagle Beach before Palm Beach, so Eagle Beach never takes longer than Palm Beach. Baby Beach is at the far southeast end of the island, in the opposite direction from the hotel strip.

Sources: onehappyisland.com, "Aruba Map: Island Layout, Areas & Real Drive Times"; Aruba Ports Authority, Cruiseship Schedules; taxi.aw, Official Taxi Fares (published 18 May 2026), for the order of the beaches along the coast. Checked 20 Sep 2026.

Pick the beach that fits the time you have, not the one you saw first.

1. 1: Eagle Beach

   A wide public beach with soft white sand, in the neighborhood of the low-rise resorts. It comes first along the coast from Oranjestad, so it leaves the most time on the sand.

2. 2: Palm Beach

   On the west side of the island, with white sand and calm water for swimming. Budget 15 minutes each way from Oranjestad.

3. 3: Baby Beach

   A shallow, sheltered lagoon at the southeast end of the island, calm enough for small children and first-time snorkelers. It is the long drive, 35 minutes from Palm Beach, so save it for a long port call.

The best port-day plan is the one that gets you back to the ship with time to spare.

Sources: Arubus, Popular Destinations; Aruba Ports Authority, Facilities & Services, which also lists Arashi and Surfside as swimming beaches. Checked 20 Sep 2026.

The bus is right there if you would rather not drive.

• The main station is across the road

  The main Arubus station is right across from the cruise terminal, and cruise passengers are welcome on the buses.

• Line 10 runs the hotel strip

  Routes L10A, L10B and L10C run along the hotel strip to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Arashi Beach.

• $2.60 a ride

  A single trip is $2.60 per person, a Retour card is $5.00 for two trips and a day pass is $15.00.

• Carry-on only

  Arubus does not accept luggage, only carry-on items, so keep the beach bag light.

• Taxis have no meter

  Rates are fixed by route and should be checked in advance. For what a route costs, see the Dushi Transfers guide to Aruba taxi rates.

For a fuller comparison of the car, the bus and the taxi, read Should I rent a car in Aruba?

Sources: Arubus FAQ and Fares & Passes; aruba.com, Aruba Taxis & Limos. Checked 20 Sep 2026.

Parking is paid in Oranjestad, and most gas stations pump for you.

AruParking spaces are available Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 9 PM. Paid parking is closed on Sundays and official holidays.

Most gas stations are full-service, and prices are the same at every station. Roundabouts and the rules of the road are in our guide to driving in Aruba.

Sources: aruba.com, Getting Around Aruba, AruParking relaunch and Driving in Aruba. Checked 20 Sep 2026.

Here is what we handle, and what to have ready.

Five small mistakes are what turn a good port day into a stressful one.

• Start from the all-aboard time, not from the beach.

  Count backward from the time your cruise line gives you, then take out the drives and a buffer.

• Leave margin for cruise-season traffic.

  Add extra time in cruise-ship season and around Palm Beach at sunset.

• Match the beach to your time ashore.

  Baby Beach is 35 minutes from Palm Beach. On a short call, choose Eagle Beach or Palm Beach.

• Bring your license and a credit card.

  Renters must be at least 23, and the refundable deposit goes on a credit card, not a debit card.

• Return the car with the fuel it left with.

  Otherwise our fuel rate applies.