Palau
How to get to Palau: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) on Babeldaob, 15–20 minutes by road from Koror — it is the only international airport. Almost all routes connect through Guam, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul or Manila; there are no nonstop flights from the US mainland, Europe or Australia. Palau has no land borders, and arriving by private boat or yacht needs advance permission.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuidePalau
Key facts
- Main airport
- Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), Babeldaob — the only international gateway
- Airport to Kororcheck
- 15–20 minutes by car or shuttle (check)
- Typical routings
- Guam, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul or Manila, then one flight to ROR
- Nonstop from the US mainland, UK, Canada, Australia or NZ
- None; at least one connection
- Land borders
- None — Palau is islands
- Arriving by seacheck
- Private vessels need advance approval and clearance at Malakal harbour, Koror (check)
- Entry rulescheck
- Visa-free entry for many passports; check current rules before booking
Quick answer
Book a flight that lands at ROR, almost always with one connection through Guam, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul or Manila. From the airport it is a short drive to Koror, where nearly all hotels and dive boats are based. There is no way to walk or drive into Palau, and sailing in requires paperwork before you arrive.
Summary by passport, month and cost
Use this as a planning table, not a booking tool. Airfares move with season and how early you book; the dry months (roughly November to May) are the busiest for divers.
| Factor | What it means for getting there |
|---|---|
| US passport | Visa-free entry under the Compact of Free Association; passport valid on arrival (check) |
| UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, EU passports | Usually visa-free for short tourist stays; confirm the current limit (check) |
| Other passports | Check the visa list before booking; some nationalities need a visa in advance (check) |
| Nov–May (dry season) | Peak dive season; flights and seats fill earlier |
| Jun–Oct (wet season) | Fewer divers, more schedule changes from weather (check) |
| Airfare | 2026 estimate: roughly USD 900–2,000 return from the US west coast, more from Europe (check) |
| Onward transfer | Airport to Koror by shuttle or taxi; agree the fare first (check) |
Step by step
Step 1 — pick your connection. Palau is reached through a handful of hubs: Guam (United), Taipei (China Airlines), Tokyo (United), Seoul (Korean Air and others) and Manila (United). Schedules change, so check the current operators before you build an itinerary.
Step 2 — book the whole trip on one ticket where you can. A single ticket means the airline rebooks you if the first leg is late. Separate tickets through Manila or Taipei leave you paying for a missed connection yourself.
Step 3 — time your arrival. Most flights land at night or in the early hours. If you arrive after dark, book a hotel in Koror for the first night rather than trying to reach a dive resort or another island.
Step 4 — arrange the airport transfer. The airport sits on Babeldaob, north of Koror, connected by a causeway. Hotels and dive shops often run shuttles; taxis are available. Confirm the price before you get in.
Step 5 — sort entry paperwork. Many passports enter visa-free, but rules and departure fees change. Check the current requirements and keep proof of onward travel and accommodation ready.
- Check the airline's baggage allowance for dive gear before you pack.
- Keep a printed copy of your booking and hotel address for arrival.
- If you need a visa, apply well before the flight — there is no visa on arrival for every passport (check).
Notes
Palau's airport code is ROR, and it is the only place international flights land. Do not confuse it with Koror town, which is a separate place across the causeway.
There are no land borders. You cannot drive or take a bus into Palau from anywhere, and the nearest large neighbour, Guam, is a flight away.
Arriving by private yacht or sailboat is possible but regulated: skippers normally need advance permission and must clear immigration and customs at Malakal harbour in Koror. Do not sail in without arranging this first (check).
Flight schedules to small Pacific hubs change often, and a route that runs this year may not next year. Re-check before booking, and build in a buffer night before a liveaboard or a tight dive package.
Departure tax is usually included in your ticket, but confirm — some fees are collected at the airport (check).
| Route | Typical connection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US west coast | Guam or Tokyo | Longest single leg; often an overnight arrival (check) |
| US east coast | Two stops, often via Guam or Seoul | Plan for a full travel day or more (check) |
| UK and Europe | Two or three stops via Asia or the US | Longest routings; check total journey time (check) |
| Australia and NZ | Via Guam, Manila or Taipei | No nonstop service; connections vary by season (check) |
| Canada | Via the US west coast or Asia | Check transit visa rules for the US leg (check) |
FAQ
Sources and verification
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Palau?
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) on Babeldaob. It is the only international airport in Palau, about 15–20 minutes by road from Koror, where most hotels and dive operators are based.
How long is the flight to Palau from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
There are no nonstop flights from any of these. From the US west coast, expect roughly 10–14 hours total with one connection via Guam or Tokyo. From the UK, Canada, Australia and NZ, plan on two or more stops and a full travel day or longer (check).
Can I enter Palau by land or sea?
There are no land borders. Arriving by private boat or yacht is possible but needs advance approval, with clearance at Malakal harbour in Koror. Commercial ferries from other countries are not a normal route (check).
Do I need a visa to enter Palau?
Many passports, including US, UK, Canadian, Australian and NZ, enter visa-free for short tourist stays. Rules and permitted lengths change, so confirm the current requirement for your passport before booking (check).
How do I get from the airport to Koror?
By hotel shuttle, dive-shop transfer or taxi, roughly 15–20 minutes across the causeway. Agree the fare or confirm the shuttle time before you arrive, especially for late-night landings (check).
When is the best time to book flights to Palau?
Book early for the dry season, roughly November to May, when divers fill seats. The wet months, June to October, can be cheaper but carry more weather-related schedule changes (check).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialPalau Visitors Authority
- officialRoman Tmetuchl International Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage – Palau