Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) sits on Babeldaob island, about 8 km from Koror, a 20–30 minute drive by the airport's own reckoning. The honest headline on cost is that nobody publishes one. There are no meters, no ride-hailing apps, no posted rate card at the airport, and — as the airport states plainly — no cabs waiting outside. So the price is whatever you agree in advance, and arranging it in advance is exactly what the airport asks you to do.
Taxi Fares
Taxis in Palau are not metered; you agree a fare before setting off. No official rate card exists for the airport run, and because no cabs wait at the terminal, a taxi here generally means one your hotel or a company calls for you rather than one you walk up to. Ask your hotel what the going rate is — they arrange this daily and will tell you straight. If a driver's quote sounds out of line with what your hotel told you, it probably is.
Fixed-price private transfer
ROR Koror City Center
From€140for 2 passengers
Hotel Shuttle Costs
Many Koror hotels run airport pickups. Some are complimentary, especially at mid-range and higher-end resorts; others charge. Budget guesthouses may not offer transfers at all. Always confirm with your accommodation before arrival — both whether a pickup exists and what it costs. This is the single most useful email you can send before a Palau trip.
Private Transfer Pricing
A pre-booked private transfer is quoted and fixed when you book, so you know the number before you fly. It includes a driver waiting with your name, help with luggage, and a guaranteed ride regardless of when your flight actually lands. For destinations outside central Koror — such as resorts on Babeldaob island itself — a pre-booked car is often the only realistic option, and the price tracks the distance.
Rental Car Costs
Several agencies serve the airport; it lists National/Alamo/Enterprise, Island Car Rental, West Car Rental, IA Rent-A-Car and AVIS. Rates come from the agency at the time you book. This only makes financial sense if you plan to use the car during your stay — renting just for the airport-to-Koror drive is not economical.
What There Is Not
There is no public bus, no rideshare app, and no airport express service. The island is small and the infrastructure is simple. This is part of Palau's charm, but it means your transport options are limited to the four listed above.
Bottom Line
Most visitors get to their hotel on a pickup the hotel arranged, and for many that is bundled into the stay. If you want certainty and comfort, a pre-booked transfer costs a modest premium and removes the guesswork. What you should not do is land without a plan: with no cabs at the kerb, the cheap option is not a taxi, it is an email to your hotel a week before you fly. Palau is not a place where airport transport costs will strain your budget — the dive trips and tour boats are where the real spending happens.