Travelling on a budget from Curaçao International Airport (CUR)? Two options keep costs down: a hotel shuttle if your accommodation offers one, and the island's local bus. The airport is about 12 km, a 15 to 20 minute drive, from Willemstad, and there is no train or metro on the island.
Hotel shuttles
Many resorts and hotels arrange an airport shuttle for their guests, either complimentary or for a set fee. It is the easiest budget-friendly option because it takes you straight to your accommodation. Shuttles are not automatic, though, so confirm the service and timing when you book your room, and let the hotel know your flight details so a driver can meet you.
The local bus (Konvooi)
Curaçao's large public buses, known locally as the Konvooi, are run by ABC (Autobusbedrijf Curaçao) and are the cheapest way to travel between the airport and Willemstad. The stop sits right in front of the Arrivals hall. From there you can take bus 4B to Otrobanda or bus 2A or 2C to Punda, the two halves of the capital's old town. A one-way ticket on the west-side airport route costs about ANG 2.50 (roughly 1.30 euro or 1.40 US dollars), paid to the driver in guilders or US dollars, so keep small notes and coins handy.
Be aware that the timetable is sparse. The Otrobanda bus runs roughly once an hour, Monday to Saturday, between about 07:00 and 23:00, while the Punda service is less frequent; on Sundays and public holidays the first bus is later, around 09:00, and the gaps between buses grow. The ride into town takes somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes depending on traffic and stops. The bus suits flexible, light-packing travellers more than those arriving late with lots of luggage.
Step by step: catching the local bus
If the bus suits your plans, a little preparation makes it painless:
- Pack light, since large suitcases are hard to manage on a busy bus.
- Walk out to the marked Konvooi stop in front of the Arrivals hall.
- Take bus 4B for Otrobanda, or bus 2A or 2C for Punda.
- Pay the driver in cash, in guilders or US dollars, with small notes and coins.
- Check the timetable on the stop sign or with your hotel first, as services thin out in the evenings, on Sundays and on public holidays.
Before you go
- Ask your hotel at booking whether a shuttle is offered and what it costs.
- Share your flight details so a shuttle driver can meet you.
- Carry small cash notes for the bus rather than relying on a card.
- Have a taxi in mind as a backup if you land late or the bus timetable does not fit.
At a glance
| Option | Cost | Luggage | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel shuttle | Free or low, set fee | Easy, door-to-door | Guests of participating hotels |
| Local bus (Konvooi) 4B / 2A / 2C | About ANG 2.50 one way | Awkward with large bags | Budget, light-packing travellers; roughly hourly, limited evenings and Sundays |
Is the bus right for you?
- Choose the bus if: you want the lowest fare, are travelling light, and your timing is flexible.
- Choose a taxi or transfer if: you have heavy luggage, are arriving after dark, or are travelling as a group, see our airport taxis and private transfers.
- Pay in cash: have small notes ready; US dollars and the local guilder (ANG) are accepted around the island.
Bus fares, routes and timetables can change and are not always published in English, so treat these figures as a guide and check the current schedule with the operator or your hotel close to your travel date. For all the ways into town side by side, see our guide to getting from the airport to Willemstad.
