Palm Beach International Airport sits in a convenient spot, close to multiple destinations across Palm Beach County. Here is what you will actually pay for each transport option - and, just as importantly, which prices can be quoted at all.
The one published fare
Palm Tran Route 44 from the airport to downtown West Palm Beach is 2.00 USD, Palm Tran's own cash fare. Exact change only: the farebox makes no change and the driver does not handle cash. There are no transfers between Palm Tran buses - if you change, you pay a second full fare. It takes 25-35 minutes with stops and is not practical with much luggage, but it is the cheapest way into the city by a wide margin.
Everything else is metered or app-priced
Ride-shares (Uber/Lyft): Ride-share pricing is set by the app and moves with demand, so no honest fixed range can be published - but you see the price before you confirm, which is the real advantage.
Taxis: Taxis are metered and licensed by Palm Beach County, whose rules require every taxi to advertise its meter rates on the outside of the vehicle and to charge the rate it advertises. Rates are not standardised across operators, so read the rate on the door and check it matches the meter drop - that is the figure that governs your fare, not a number in a guide.
Private transfers are the option with a price fixed before you fly:
| Destination | Distance / time | Sedan transfer |
|---|---|---|
| West Palm Beach | 5 km / 10-15 min | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Palm Beach island | 10 km / 15-20 min | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Jupiter | 30 km / 25-35 min | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Boca Raton | 35 km / 25-35 min | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Fort Lauderdale | 100 km / 60-80 min | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Miami | 120 km / 75-100 min | Fixed, quoted at booking |
Fixed-price private transfer
PBI Palm Beach Downtown
From€29for 2 passengers
Rail south
Tri-Rail reaches Fort Lauderdale and Miami from a station connected to PBI by free shuttle; the Miami run takes about 2 hours. Brightline leaves from the nearby West Palm Beach station and reaches Miami far faster. Both price by distance and fare class and change their fares, so check their own sites rather than a guide.
Tolls and surcharges
I-95 express lanes and the Florida Turnpike have electronic tolls (SunPass). Ride-share apps pass toll costs to you automatically. Taxis may or may not use toll roads depending on the driver. Pre-booked transfers usually include tolls in the quoted price, but verify when booking. An airport pickup fee may apply to ride-shares.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in the United States. For taxis, 15-20% of the fare is standard. Ride-share tipping is done through the app and 15-20% is appreciated. For private transfer drivers, 15-20% or a flat 10-15 USD is typical. Note that a metered taxi fare does not include the tip.
Bottom line
PBI is well-positioned for most Palm Beach County destinations, keeping costs moderate. If price is what matters, Route 44 into West Palm Beach is 2.00 USD. If certainty is what matters, a transfer is the only option priced before you land. For groups splitting a private transfer, the per-person cost often matches ride-share prices with a better experience.