Getting from Palau Airport to Koror — What You Actually Need to Know

Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) is located on Babeldaob island, about 8 km north of Koror — the main town and tourist hub of Palau. The two islands are connected by the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge. The airport says the drive into Koror takes 20–30 minutes. The single most important thing to know is the airport's own advice: "There are no cabs waiting at the airport. Please arrange transportation in advance." Most hotels run airport pickups, and that is how the majority of visitors get to their accommodation. There is no public bus system and no ride-hailing app.

ROR is a small tropical airport — one terminal, one runway, a handful of gates. After landing, you walk across the tarmac or through a short jet bridge into the arrivals area. Immigration can take 30–60 minutes depending on how full your flight was, as Palau processes each arrival manually. Baggage claim is a single carousel in a small room. Once you have your bags and clear customs, you step outside into humid Pacific air and a small parking area where hotel shuttles and pre-arranged drivers wait. Do not expect to find a taxi rank — the airport explicitly advises that no cabs wait at the airport and that you should arrange transport in advance.

The airport has limited amenities. There is a small duty-free shop, a couple of ATMs, and a currency exchange counter. Wi-Fi is available but slow. If you need a local SIM card, it is easier to get one in Koror town than at the airport.

Hotel shuttle: Many hotels and resorts in Koror offer complimentary or low-cost airport transfers. Check with your accommodation before arrival — this is the most common way visitors get from ROR to their hotel. Shuttles are usually shared vans that wait for all passengers from your flight.

Taxi: Do not plan around one. The airport states plainly that there are no cabs waiting at the airport and asks arriving passengers to arrange transport in advance. Taxis do exist in Palau, but they are called rather than hailed, they are not metered — you agree the fare before you set off — and no official rate card is published for the airport run. There are no ride-hailing apps.

Pre-booked private transfer: A guaranteed car with a driver holding your name, priced and fixed when you book. Given that no cabs wait at the terminal, this or a hotel pickup is the realistic plan rather than a luxury. Useful if your resort is not in central Koror or if you are arriving very late.

Rental car: Several agencies serve the airport — the airport itself lists National/Alamo/Enterprise, Island Car Rental, West Car Rental, IA Rent-A-Car and AVIS. Driving in Palau is on the right side and traffic is minimal. Roads between the airport and Koror are paved and straightforward. If you plan to explore Babeldaob island, renting a car makes sense — otherwise, for just getting to Koror, it is unnecessary.

There is no public bus. Palau does not have a public transit system. Walking from the airport to Koror is not practical — it is 8 km along a highway with no sidewalks.

There is no published fare table for ground transport at ROR — the airport does not post one, taxis are not metered, and hotel pickups are priced by each property. That means the only reliable way to know what you will pay is to ask before you land: your hotel for its transfer charge, or a transfer operator for a quote you can hold them to. Anyone quoting you a precise figure sight unseen is guessing.

What is worth knowing: Palau uses the US Dollar as its currency, so there is no exchange rate confusion for American visitors. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and dive shops but cash is still king for drivers and smaller businesses. ATMs at the airport dispense US Dollars — draw some before you leave the terminal.

Palau receives a limited number of flights, and some arrive late in the evening. The airport is quiet after the last flight clears — there are no 24-hour services. This is where the airport's standing advice matters most: no cabs wait at the terminal, so if you have not arranged anything, there is nothing to fall back on. Hotel shuttles typically track flight times and adjust, but confirm this with your hotel. For any arrival, and especially a late one, arranging transport in advance is not just the safest approach — it is what the airport tells you to do.

Most visitors to Palau arrive with dive gear, snorkel equipment, or extra luggage for island activities. A sedan will handle 2–3 bags in the trunk. If you are a family with children and significant luggage, ask for a van rather than a sedan when you arrange your pickup — which, given that nothing waits at the kerb here, you will be doing in advance anyway. Child car seats are not standard in local vehicles — bring your own travel seat if you need one. The road from the airport to Koror is mostly smooth and the drive is 20–30 minutes, but seat belt use varies in local vehicles.

The airport is small enough that there is essentially one exit. Walk out of the arrivals area and you are in a parking lot where hotel shuttles and pre-arranged drivers wait. Hotel shuttles usually have a sign with the hotel name; private transfer drivers hold a sign with your name. What you will not find is a taxi rank — the airport is explicit that no cabs wait there. If you do not see your ride, wait near the exit and call the number on your confirmation; the parking area is small and your driver will find you.

Choose the hotel shuttle if: Your hotel offers one. This is the default option for most Palau visitors and it works well.

Arrange a car in advance if: Your hotel does not offer a shuttle. Since no cabs wait at the terminal, "I will grab a taxi" is not a plan at this airport — book a transfer or ask your hotel to call a driver for your flight.

Choose a pre-booked transfer if: You want a guaranteed ride regardless of arrival time, your destination is outside central Koror, or you prefer not to negotiate with taxi drivers after a long Pacific flight.

Rent a car if: You plan to explore Babeldaob island during your stay. For just getting from the airport to Koror, a rental is overkill unless you want wheels for your whole trip.