Palau is a pristine Pacific paradise featuring the legendary Rock Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 200 limestone and coral islands covered in lush greenery. This small nation offers world-class diving, the famous Jellyfish Lake where you can swim among millions of harmless jellyfish, and some of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.
- Public
- Very limited public bus service within Koror at $1-2 per trip; inter-village buses on Babeldaob for $2-5 but service is infrequent and not tourist-oriented
- Taxi
- Taxis available in Koror with no meters - agree on price before departure; short city trips $10-20; very scarce after 10 PM
- Rental
- Best option for exploring Babeldaob and Koror freely; $50-60/day for compact car, $70-90 for SUV; international license accepted under 30 days
- Walking
- Downtown Koror is walkable for restaurants and shops within a 1-2 km radius; Malakal Island requires short drive or taxi
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Hotel shuttle - $10-20 (often included)
- Shuttle
- Private taxi - $20-30 to Koror
- Bus
- Rental car pickup - $50-60/day
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Limited public bus service. Koror city buses cost $1-2 per trip. Inter-village buses available for $2-5. Service is infrequent and not tourist-oriented.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Taxis available in Koror. Base fare around $5, then $2-3 per mile. Short trips within Koror typically $10-20. Taxis do not use meters - agree on price before departure. Limited availability outside Koror.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Inter-island buses connect villages on Babeldaob for $2-5. Infrequent schedules. Most tourists rely on rental cars or tours.
Flights
Palau Pacific Airways offers charter flights to outer islands like Peleliu and Angaur. Prices vary, typically $150-300 per person round trip.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport
From centre: 6 km to Koror
Options: Hotel shuttle - $10-20 (often included); Private taxi - $20-30 to Koror; Rental car pickup - $50-60/day
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Palau Ride
Local taxi booking service available via phone call - ask your hotel reception for the current contact number as no app exists yet
Most Koror taxi drivers and private boat operators can be contacted and booked via WhatsApp - ask your hotel for reliable contact numbers
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Rent a car if planning to explore Babeldaob - public transport is inadequate for reaching waterfalls, monoliths, and northern villages
Arrange your return taxi before going out at night - taxis are very scarce after 10 PM and hotels stop arranging transport late evening
Fill up fuel in Koror before driving north on Babeldaob - there are no gas stations in the northern half of the island
Boats are the main transport for Rock Islands - book morning departure tours as afternoon weather can deteriorate quickly
Most dive operators include boat transport to dive sites in their package prices - no additional transport needed