Curaçao has one airport: Curaçao International Airport (CUR), still called Hato by most locals, about 12 km north-west of Willemstad. Nearly every visitor arrives by air, and for travellers from the Netherlands and Belgium that usually means a direct, ten-hour flight from Schiphol.
Flights from Amsterdam and Brussels
Three airlines fly nonstop from Amsterdam: KLM (daily, year-round), TUI fly and Corendon. KLM quotes an average of 9 hours 45 minutes westbound; the return is usually about an hour shorter thanks to tailwinds. TUI fly Belgium has run flights from Brussels too, but schedules change by season, so check before you plan around them. From elsewhere in Europe you will normally connect in Amsterdam; from North America there are nonstops from several US hubs.
Fares swing a lot with Dutch school holidays. Christmas, the spring break (voorjaarsvakantie) and the summer holidays are the expensive weeks; late October, November and early December are often the cheapest. Compare dates and airlines on Trip.com, or use Omio to check flights and the train to Schiphol or Brussels Airport in one go.
Passport and the Digital Immigration Card
Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but it is not in the EU or Schengen. Dutch citizens need a valid Dutch passport; the Dutch identity card is not accepted for travel to Curaçao. Your passport must be valid for your whole stay. Belgian and other visitors also travel on a passport and should check the visa rules for their nationality.
Every non-resident visitor, Dutch nationals included, must complete the Digital Immigration Card (DI card) before arrival. It is free on the official site, dicardcuracao.com, and you can fill it in from 7 days before departure. You get a PDF by email: keep it on your phone or print it. Each traveller needs their own card, children included (parents can use their own email address).
After filling in the DI card you can also enrol in the optional Curaçao Express Pass through the Airside app, which lets you use a faster lane at immigration. You still need to carry your passport.
On arrival
Immigration and customs at CUR are usually quick outside peak arrival times. Curaçao runs on Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4) all year, so it is 6 hours behind the Netherlands in summer and 5 hours in winter. In the arrivals hall you will find car rental desks, ATMs and the official taxi rank. Read our guide to airport transfers to decide between taxi, transfer or hire car, and sort your mobile data before you fly: Curaçao is outside EU roaming.
Not sure when to go? Our best time to visit guide explains the short rainy season, and the travel essentials page covers money, plugs and safety.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao?
About 9 hours 45 minutes nonstop on the way out and roughly an hour less on the way back.
Can I travel to Curaçao with a Dutch ID card?
No. Dutch citizens need a valid passport; the Dutch identity card is not accepted.
Is the Curaçao DI card free?
Yes. The official Digital Immigration Card on dicardcuracao.com is free. Avoid sites that charge a fee.
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