In this article
From Amsterdam you fly nonstop in about 9 hours and 45 minutes with KLM, TUI or Corendon. You land at Curaçao International Airport (CUR), also called Hato, about a 20-minute drive from Willemstad. From Miami it takes almost 3 hours, from Panama just over 2 hours.
Fill in the free digital immigration card (DI card) within 7 days before departure and bring a valid passport. Checked on September 27, 2026.
Flights by departure city
| Departing from | Flight time | How often | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | About 9 hours 45 minutes | Several times a day | KLM, TUI and Corendon, nonstop |
| Brussels | About 10 hours | Only in some seasons | Otherwise via Amsterdam |
| Düsseldorf | About 10.5 hours | Seasonal flight in winter | Otherwise via Amsterdam |
| Miami | Almost 3 hours | Twice a day | Many connections within the US |
| New York and Fort Lauderdale | About 4.5 hours | Several times a week | More flights in the winter season |
| Toronto and Montreal | 5 to 5.5 hours | Seasonal flights | Mainly during the Canadian winter |
| Panama City, Bogotá and Medellín | 2 to 2.5 hours | Daily | Handy connections from Latin America |
| Aruba and Bonaire | 30 to 40 minutes | Several times a day | Small aircraft, little baggage space |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
From the US, airlines such as American, JetBlue, United and Delta fly to Curaçao; from Canada, Air Canada and WestJet. Schedules change by season, so check the flights for your dates.
What to arrange before you fly
- Passport: valid for your entire stay. A national ID card is not enough.
- DI card: fill in the free digital immigration card within 7 days before departure, one per person. Do not fall for paid sites.
- Connecting in the US: European travelers need an approved ESTA, even if they do not leave the airport.
- Carry-on: documents, medication, swimwear and a change of clothes. If your suitcase goes missing, you can get through the first day.
- Dive and snorkel gear: check the baggage rules; a cheap ticket without checked baggage often ends up costing more.
- All rules by country are in travel documents and entry requirements for Curaçao, the packing list in what to pack for Curaçao.
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- What to book ahead and what you can do on the spot
- Weather and crowds in your travel month
- A reminder 5 weeks before you go and your checklist 10 days before
Arriving at Hato
Hato is easy to navigate. At immigration you show your passport and your DI card, followed by baggage claim and customs. Keep your DI card handy on your phone or printed, so you are not searching for it in the line.
After customs you’ll find the car rental desks, and taxis are waiting at the door. Taxis don’t have a meter: always ask the price first.
From the airport to your stay
| Choose destination | Driving time | Taxi, per car |
|---|---|---|
| Willemstad and Pietermaai | About 20 minutes | € 36 to € 58 |
| Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel | 25 to 35 minutes | € 40 to € 71 |
| Westpunt and Bandabou | 45 minutes to 1 hour | From € 53 |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
Most visitors pick up their rental car right at the airport. Not sure? Read rental car or excursions in Curaçao and Curaçao without a rental car.
Time difference and jet lag
Curaçao is on UTC-4 all year and has no daylight saving time. It is 6 hours earlier than the Netherlands in European summer and 5 hours earlier in winter. For New York there is no difference in summer, and in winter Curaçao is 1 hour ahead.
Flying west is usually easy: your day gets longer and after a night's sleep you are fine. The trip back is harder. More in time difference and plugs in Curaçao.
Your first days on the island
After a long flight, keep the first day quiet: unpack, visit a nearby beach and get an early night. On day two or three, a guided tour helps you see where everything is without having to navigate yourself.
A good first tour is the Private Jeep Tour (€ 111 per person). You drive around the island for about 5 hours with your own guide; pickup is available for an extra charge. More island drives are in the best island tours and jeep tours in Curaçao, a complete plan in Curaçao in 7 days.
Combining Curaçao with Aruba or Bonaire
Flights between the ABC islands take 30 to 40 minutes and run several times a day. With separate tickets you check in again and your baggage is not transferred automatically. Plan plenty of time between two flights and check the baggage rules for the small aircraft.
Each island has its own entry rules. How many days you need per island is in how many days you need in Curaçao.
The flight home
- Flights to Europe often leave in the afternoon or evening; ask your accommodation whether you can leave your bags after checkout.
- If you dive, allow at least 18 to 24 hours between your last dive and flying, and follow your dive center's advice. Snorkeling is fine.
- Arrive at Hato on time: on a full flight the check-in lines are long.
- Return your rental car with a full tank; there are gas stations near the airport.
When to book and what it costs
Airfares change daily, so we do not quote fixed amounts. Around Christmas, spring break and the summer holidays, nonstop flights fill up quickly and get expensive; book months ahead then. Outside school holidays you have more flexibility. Compare a few dates: leaving a week later sometimes saves a lot.
The weather by month is in the best time to visit Curaçao, the total budget in what a vacation in Curaçao costs and tips for flying with kids in Curaçao with children.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Curaçao
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao?
About 9 hours and 45 minutes nonstop. The return is often a little shorter because of the wind.
Which airlines fly nonstop to Curaçao?
From Amsterdam, KLM, TUI and Corendon. From the US, airlines such as American, JetBlue, United and Delta, and from Canada, Air Canada and WestJet.
Can you fly nonstop from Belgium to Curaçao?
Sometimes, in certain seasons from Brussels. Usually you fly via Amsterdam.
How long is the flight from Miami to Curaçao?
Almost 3 hours. From New York it takes about 4.5 hours, from Toronto about 5 hours.
Which airport do you land at in Curaçao?
Curaçao International Airport (CUR), also called Hato, about a 20-minute drive from Willemstad.
What do you need to arrange before flying to Curaçao?
A passport valid for your whole stay and the free digital immigration card, which you fill in within 7 days before departure. Europeans connecting in the US also need an ESTA.
How much is a taxi from the airport to Willemstad?
€ 36 to € 58 per car, for up to 4 people. Always ask the price first.
Flight booked? Then check out which activities and excursions suit your trip to Curaçao.
How much do excursions cost in Curaçao?
Time Difference and Electrical Plugs in Curaçao
Travel documents and entry requirements for Curaçao
What should you bring to Curaçao? Complete packing list