• Nothing Found

How to Get from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana

Punta Cana is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Dominican Republic. Although Punta Cana has a large airport of its own, flying into Santo Domingo Airport can often be cheaper. In this case, you have three ways to travel from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana: taxi, private transfer, or bus.

A Santo Domingo Airport taxi is the quickest transfer option as it takes just 2 hours to reach your hotel in Punta Cana. A Santo Domingo Airport transfer takes the same time, however, it is slightly cheaper and comes with extra benefits. 

A more budget-friendly option perfect for solo travelers is the Expreso Bavaro bus. This requires a taxi transfer to the station in Santo Domingo and has a travel time of at least 3 hours, but the total cost is just €41.10 ($45.50/DOP 2,700) per person.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Santo Domingo at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2 PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY Action
Taxi €136 120min 24/7
Bus €82.20 180min 07:00–16:00
Welcome Private Transfer €130 110min 24/7

How to get from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana by taxi

Taking a taxi from Santo Domingo Airport to downtown Punta Cana is by far the quickest and most convenient way to travel. Not only can you secure a Santo Domingo Airport taxi 24/7, but they also offer a direct door-to-door transfer option. Only Sichala Union taxis are allowed to operate from the airport, which ensures they are regulated, but at the same time, means they can be quite pricey. The total journey time will be around 2 hours or more if you’re traveling out of town to one of the nearby resorts.

Taxi fare from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana

Sichala Union taxis use set-rate fares from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana, and the taxi cost is $150 (€136) for a one-way journey for up to 4 passengers. Payment can be made by cash in pesos or US dollars or with a credit/debit card.

Cost

€136

Trip Duration

2 Hr.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Santo Domingo Airport.

Where can I find a taxi at Santo Domingo Airport?

As soon as you exit the Arrivals Hall on the Ground Floor at Santo Domingo Airport, you will see the long line of taxis waiting at the rank in front of you. Simply walk to the front of the line and speak to the driver.

Convenience

Not only is a Santo Domingo Airport taxi the only direct transfer option from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana, but it’s also the most convenient. You can enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned ride no matter what time you land, and you won’t have to worry about not making the bus and being left stranded in Santo Domingo.

Editor’s Note

A taxi is ideal for travelers looking to keep things flexible and decide how to leave the airport at the last minute.

Useful Tips

Although taking a taxi from Las Americas Airport to Punta Cana is the most expensive transfer option, if you split the fare between three people, it costs around the same as the public bus.
Make sure you agree on a price with the driver before entering the taxi.
There's no additional fee for luggage stored in the trunk.
Write down your hotel's address in Punta Cana to avoid any miscommunication with your Spanish speaking driver.

How to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana by bus

Unfortunately, there’s no bus from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana. Instead, you’ll need to take a taxi from Santo Domingo Airport to Parque Enriquillo in Santo Domingo city center and then take the Expreso Bavaro bus from there to Punta Cana. The bus makes two stops in the Punta Cana area, one downtown near Plaza Velero and the other further out of town near Cocotal Golf & Country Club. In total, the journey time is 3 hours, not including wait and transfer times.

How much is the bus from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana?

The taxi from Las Americas Airport to the bus station in Santo Domingo costs $35 (€31.70). Then a one-way ticket on the Expreso Bavaro bus costs €6.10 (DOP 400). That makes the total price of the journey €41.10 ($45.50/DOP 2,700).

Cost

€41.10

Trip Duration

3 Hr.

*There's a wait time of up to 2 hours for the Expreso Bavaro bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Expreso Bavaro bus runs from 07:00 to 16:00.

Where do I find the Punta Cana bus?

You can find the Expreso Bavaro bus at Santo Domingo Station 2, located at Parque Enriquillo in Santo Domingo city center. The bus is a large white coach.

Convenience

Taking the public bus is the least convenient way to get from SDQ Airport to Punta Cana. Not only will you have to take a taxi into Santo Domingo city center, but you will then have to wait up to 2 hours for the bus to arrive. Also, if you land after 15:00, you won’t make the last bus to Punta Cana and will need to wait until the next day.

If you’re traveling with three or more people, it’s almost as cost-effective to take a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Editor’s Note

The bus is a better option for travelers on a budget with some time to spare.

Useful Tips

Pesos and US dollars are used interchangeably in Santo Domingo.
Tickets can't be purchased online or over the phone in advance so you must be at the bus station one hour before departure to secure a seat.
There's luggage storage below the bus.

How to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana by private transfer

The most popular way to get from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana is to arrange a private transfer. A private transfer offers privacy and comfort in a modern air-conditioned vehicle with a trained English-speaking driver. You won’t need to worry about finding a taxi on arrival since you’ll receive a meet-and-greet at the airport, plus your driver will monitor your flight in case it is delayed. 

Furthermore, when you book with Welcome Pickups, your driver will point out popular sites along the way to your hotel while sharing their best advice on activities to do in the area. And if you encounter any issues, a customer service team will be on hand 24 hours a day.

How much is a private transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana?

One of the great things about booking a private transfer with Welcome Pickups is the transparency around pricing and being able to pay for your trip upfront, so you don’t need to worry about anything on the day.

From Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana, the cost for a comfortable and private sedan is $143.80 (€130) for up to 3 passengers. If you’re traveling in a larger group and require more space, you can book an 8-seater minivan for $309.70 (€280), inclusive of all charges. That’s right; the price you see at the time of booking is the final price, with no hidden extras.

Bookings can be made online or via the app by entering a few personal details, your flight information, and your requested pick-up time.

Cost

€130

Trip Duration

2 Hr.

Your private transfer vehicle will be waiting on arrival.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Private transfers can be arranged from Santo Domingo Airport 24/7.

Where will my private transfer depart from?

Santo Domingo is a small airport, so you won’t have trouble finding your driver. As you exit the Baggage Claim area, you’ll find them waiting at the entrance to the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name. After a warm introduction, they’ll show you and any traveling companions to your pre-selected private vehicle while lending a hand with any luggage.

Convenience

Private transfers are the only customizable and fully personalized transfer option from Santo Domingo Airport, which is perfect for families and larger groups when flexibility is a must. The cost is cheaper than a taxi, and if you’re traveling with more than three people, it’s also more affordable than the bus but much more direct and straightforward.

Editor’s Note

A private transfer is ideal for families with young children and travelers carrying many pieces of luggage.

Useful Tips

If you have any special requests such as a baby seat, a specialized vehicle for a wheelchair and a larger vehicle to accommodate your group size, these can be made at the time of booking.
A standard sedan can seat 3 people and one suitcase each, as well as one smaller bag.
Payments are made with a credit or debit card online or via the app so you won't need to withdraw any cash when you arrive.
Don't forget to allow enough time to pass through Immigration and collect any luggage. We recommend a pick-up time of 20 to 30 minutes after your scheduled arrival.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Santo domingo. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

What is the distance from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana?

The Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana distance is around 175 km. If you’re traveling by car or taxi directly from the airport, the journey should take around 2 hours in normal traffic.

How do I get from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana?

There are three different transfer options when it comes to getting from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana: taxi, private transfer, or bus. Taking a Santo Domingo Airport taxi or private transfer is the quickest option as it takes just 2 hours and costs around $150 (€136). Taking the Expreso Bavaro bus takes much longer since there isn’t a direct route. The journey takes 3 hours, not including wait and transfer times, and costs €41.10 ($45.50/DOP 2,700), including the taxi to the bus station.

Is it safe to take a bus from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana?

Yes, the bus from Santo Domingo is well-organized and perfectly safe to take. As an extra precaution, be sure to carry any valuable items with you in the coach, rather than placing them in the luggage compartment underneath.

How much is a taxi from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana?

The taxi price from Santo Domingo Airport to Punta Cana will typically be charged at a set rate of $150 (€136) for up to 4 passengers.

Was this helpful?

Pre-book online