✈ How to Get There
Getting to and around Palau
✈ Flying to Palau
Main Airport
Palau International Airport (ROR) — located in Airai, on Babeldaob island, connected to Koror by the Koror–Babeldaob Bridge. The airport is 10–15 minutes by taxi from most Koror hotels. It is the only airport in the country. All international arrivals go through ROR.
Airlines serving Palau (ROR):
- United Airlines — Year-round service from Guam (most frequent, ~2 hours), Tokyo-Narita (Wednesday and Saturday, ~3.5 hours), and Manila. The most reliable connection for travellers from the US West Coast routing through Guam or Honolulu
- China Airlines — Year-round from Taipei (TPE), Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Good option for travellers from Europe connecting through Taipei
- Philippine Airlines — Direct service from Manila (MNL) since March 2026, Wednesday and Sunday departures
- Qantas (Palau Paradise Express) — Weekly Saturday service from Brisbane (BNE), approximately 6 hours
- Nauru Airlines (Island Hopper) — Weekly Friday service connecting Pacific islands
- Hong Kong Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, Cambodia Airways — Seasonal and charter services
💡 Flight Tip
Palau is remote. There are no direct flights from Europe or mainland USA. The most common routing from the US West Coast is Los Angeles or Honolulu – Guam – Palau on United Airlines (total 12–15 hours). From Europe, the fastest connections are typically through Tokyo, Taipei, or Manila. Guam is the most reliable hub—United flies there daily from multiple US cities and the Palau connection runs most days of the week.
🚘 From the Airport to Koror
Taxi
The standard option from ROR to Koror. Fixed fares apply—approximately US$15–20 for most Koror hotels. Journey time is 10–15 minutes. Drivers are typically waiting at arrivals. Most taxis are informal rather than metered; confirm the price before getting in.
Hotel or Dive Resort Shuttle
Most dive resorts and mid-range hotels in Koror offer airport pickup, either included or at a modest charge. Book in advance. This is the most comfortable option if you are arriving with dive equipment or heavy luggage. Confirm pickup arrangements with your accommodation before departure.
Rental Car
A small number of car rental companies operate in Palau. Driving is on the right. Roads on Koror are straightforward; Babeldaob has a sealed road encircling the island, completed in 2007, which makes independent exploration of the larger island possible. An international driving licence is recommended. Traffic is light compared to most destinations.
🛂 Entry Requirements & Fees
Visa-free for most passport holders. Citizens of the US, EU, UK, Australia, Japan, and many other countries do not need a visa to enter Palau for stays up to 30 days. A valid passport, proof of onward travel, and accommodation details are required.
Palau Green Fee (US$50): All visitors pay a US$50 conservation fee on arrival, valid for 10 days. This funds the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and protected area management. Collected at the airport on arrival.
Palau Pledge: On arrival, passport holders are asked to sign the Palau Pledge—a commitment to act responsibly toward the natural environment. It is the first such mandatory conservation pledge in the world.
Rock Island Permit (US$50 additional): Required for access to the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon. Jellyfish Lake Permit (US$100 additional): Required for Jellyfish Lake specifically. Both are valid for 5 days and can be purchased through licensed tour operators in Koror.
Check Palau entry requirements →🚖 Getting Around Palau
Boat Charters (Essential)
For the Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake, dive sites, Peleliu, and any island beyond Koror, a boat is the only option. Licensed day-charter operators based in Koror run Rock Islands tours daily. A standard day charter including Rock Islands snorkelling and Milky Way costs US$100–150 per person in a group. Diving day trips to Blue Corner and German Channel cost US$130–200 per person depending on the dive shop and number of dives.
Taxis in Koror
Informal taxis operate on Koror. There are no meters; negotiate before boarding. Most trips within Koror are US$3–8. Drivers can be hired by the hour for sightseeing on Babeldaob (approximately US$25–35 per hour). Your hotel or dive operator can arrange reliable drivers.
Rental Car (Babeldaob)
Useful for self-guided exploration of Babeldaob island—the Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, Ngerulmud (the capital), and Babeldaob’s beaches. The sealed ring road makes a full island circuit possible in a day. Less necessary on Koror itself, where most hotels, restaurants, and dive shops are within walking distance of each other.
💣 No Public Transport
Palau has no public bus system. All transport is by taxi, private vehicle, or boat. Budget for taxis and boat charters when calculating trip costs—they add up quickly. Many dive packages include boat transport to sites, which is the most efficient way to manage costs.
🔗 Useful Links
🚙 Renting a Car
A rental car is most useful for exploring Babeldaob independently. Koror itself is walkable for most visitors. A handful of local rental companies operate from the airport and Koror—book in advance as the fleet is small.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- International driving licence recommended alongside your home licence
- Speed limits are low and generally observed—25 mph in built-up areas
- The Koror–Babeldaob Bridge is the main road link; all other island travel is by boat
- Fuel is more expensive than US mainland prices
🚙 Compare Rental Cars in Palau
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book dive packages, not individual dives: Dive resorts offer multi-day packages (accommodation + diving) that cost 20–30% less than booking separately
- Join group day charters: Private boat charters to the Rock Islands cost US$600–1,000 per day. Group tours run US$100–150 per person—a much better value for solo travellers and couples
- Fly via Guam from the US: United’s Guam–Palau routing is the most frequent and often the cheapest connection for US visitors. Book Honolulu–Guam–Palau well in advance
- Travel November or May: These shoulder months have fewer visitors, good visibility, and lower accommodation prices than the December–April peak
- Buy Green Fee and Rock Island permit together: Many operators include the US$50 Green Fee and Rock Island permit in their day tour price—confirm before buying separately at the airport