Curaçao Airport Departures: Check-in, Lounge, Parking

Travelers with suitcases walking along the airport terminal in Curaçao

When to arrive at the airport

Plan to be at the airport 3 hours before an international flight. KLM and American Airlines both ask for 3 hours, and KLM closes bag drop 60 minutes before departure. For flights to Aruba, Bonaire or Sint Maarten, follow the time on your ticket.

The check-in hall is open from 06:00 to 00:00. At peak times only ticketed passengers may enter. With hand luggage only and a boarding pass on your phone, you can go straight to security and passport control. The airport shows live departures on curacao-airport.com/flights.

Returning a rental car? Add time

Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the car return and inspection.
Leaving Willemstad or Jan Thiel between 16:30 and 18:00 on a weekday? Add extra time for traffic.
Refuel on the way. Most rentals run full to full. Read the rental car return checklist.

Departure fee: is it in your ticket?

Curaçao charges a Passenger Facility Charge on every departing passenger. These rates apply from 1 January 2026:

Destination	Fee per passenger
International flights	$48.25
Aruba, Bonaire or Sint Maarten	$18.25
Transfer passengers	$13.25

Source: Curaçao Airport Partners, Passenger Facility Charge 2026.

Airlines normally collect the fee in your ticket price, so you do not pay at the airport. If you are unsure, check the taxes in your booking.

Security and passport control

Liquids up to 100 ml (3.4 oz) per item, in one resealable bag of about one quart.
No drinks of any kind past the checkpoint. Buy water after security.
Shoes off, and laptops and tablets in a separate tray.
The airport follows the TSA list of prohibited items.

There is no US preclearance on Curaçao. On flights to the United States you clear immigration and customs when you land in the US.

The airport is expanding the departures area into early 2027, with an extra security lane and more immigration booths. The terminal stays open during the work, so arrive on time.

Food, shops and duty free

After security you find Penha Duty Free, Bar 22, Juan Valdez Café, Popcorn Rush, É Marshe, Revival, Snax and Le Boulangerie, plus the Britt Shop and Rumbo Caribe for souvenirs. Before security there is a Wendy's, Panda Express, Victoria Gelati and Bar 22 X-Press.

Free Wi-Fi runs in 60-minute sessions. Reconnect when your session ends.

VIP Lounge at Curaçao Airport

The airport has one lounge, the CUR VIP Lounge, run by the airport operator. After passport control and security, turn left and walk through duty free. The lounge is opposite gate 4.

Lounge	Details
Opening hours	Daily, 08:30 to 20:30
Access	Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, Diners Club, some airline tickets, or a day pass
Day pass	$63 at peak times, $55 early and late
Maximum stay	3 hours, children under 3 free
Facilities	Showers, kids' corner, Wi-Fi, food and drinks

Prices valid from 1 March 2026, from the airport's lounge page.

Traveler with a backpack walking to a red rental car outside the airport

Parking at Curaçao Airport

The car park is in front of the terminal. The first 15 minutes are free, so a quick drop-off costs nothing. Rates are in Caribbean guilders (XCG).

Time	Rate
First 15 minutes	Free
15 to 30 minutes	XCG 4.00
Up to 1 hour	XCG 5.00
Each extra hour, up to 16 hours	XCG 1.00
Per day, from 16 hours	XCG 21.50, about $12
7 days, park 7 pay 6	XCG 129, about $72
10 days, park 10 pay 9	XCG 193.50, about $108

Pay at the machine next to the MCB ATM outside the check-in hall or at the arrivals hall entrance. The machines take guilders, US dollars and cards. After paying you have 15 minutes to leave. The curb at departures is for drop-off only, and the area in front of arrivals is not a pickup zone, so wait in the car park.

Coming back to Curaçao?

Compare 30+ local rental companies for your next trip. Insurance included, free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup.

Compare cars at CUR

Arriving instead? Read the Curaçao Airport arrival guide.

Departure questions

How early should I arrive at Curaçao Airport?

Plan to arrive 3 hours before an international flight. KLM and American Airlines both advise 3 hours. Add 20 to 30 minutes if you still need to return a rental car.

Does Curaçao Airport have a lounge?

Yes. The CUR VIP Lounge is airside, opposite gate 4, and open daily from 08:30 to 20:30. You get in with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, Diners Club, some airline tickets or a day pass of $55 to $63.

How much is parking at Curaçao Airport?

The first 15 minutes are free. After that you pay XCG 4 for up to 30 minutes, XCG 1 per extra hour, and a maximum of XCG 21.50 per day, about $12.

Is there US preclearance at Curaçao Airport?

No. Flights from Curaçao to the United States clear immigration and customs on arrival in the US.

Sources: Passenger Facility Charge; Security screening; VIP Lounge; Parking rates; Live departures.

Curaçao Airport Departures Guide