Getting to Palau can feel a little tricky; flights aren’t as frequent as in more mainstream destinations.
That’s why we’ve written this detailed guide.
Whether you’re still exploring ideas or ready to book, here’s exactly how to reach Palau.
Direct gateways to Palau include:
Guam
Brisbane (Australia)
Taipei
Manila
Hong Kong
Tokyo (Narita), Japan
Airlines currently flying to Palau:
United Airlines → from Guam, Manila, and Tokyo (Narita)
China Airlines → from Taipei
Qantas → from Brisbane
Charter and seasonal flights:
Sky Angkor Airlines: Macau → Palau
Cambodia Airways: Macau → Palau
Hong Kong Airlines: Hong Kong → Palau
Table of Contents
TL;DR – How to Get to Palau
- Main gateways: Manila, Guam, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei
- Fastest US route: San Francisco → Manila → Palau (daily, ~14–16 hrs incl. layover)
- Australia: direct Brisbane → Palau flights (Qantas, ~5.5–6 hrs)
- From Europe: connect via Asian hubs (Tokyo, Seoul, Manila)
- Expect at least one layover; overnight stays are common
Where is Palau Located?
Before you can start planning your trip to Palau, you need to know where Palau is located.
Palau is an island state in the Western Pacific Ocean between Guam and the Philippines, and is a part of the Micronesian region that contains over 250 islands.
Due to the remoteness of our pristine island, travelling to Palau was long known for the long haul, red-eye flights, and long layovers.
Luckily, this changed, and travelling to and getting into Palau is much easier and more comfortable these days, with more airlines offering flights into Palau from different countries in the world.
While most visitors come to Palau for the world-class diving, plenty is waiting above the surface as well.
From exploring hidden lagoons and ancient stone monoliths to kayaking through the Rock Islands or visiting WWII sites, Palau offers a wide mix of experiences for every traveler.
If you’re curious about how to fill your days when you’re not underwater, check out our guide to things to do beyond diving.
See Jellyfish Lake Before You Come to Palau
Want a preview of Palau’s most iconic lagoon? Watch our short feature of Jellyfish Lake and get a feel for conditions, access, and what to expect on the day. Watch the Jellyfish Lake video.
A Quicker Route Into Palau from the USA
United Airlines operates a daily non-stop flight between Manila and San Francisco.
This route creates the most streamlined way to reach Palau from the U.S. — fly SFO → Manila, then connect directly to Palau’s international gateway in Koror.
In the past, U.S. travelers often had to connect through Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Guam, with multiple layovers.
With the Manila route in place, the journey is simpler, faster, and far more convenient.
Other options still exist: you can fly from Los Angeles to Palau via Honolulu and Guam, though these flights run only twice a week (Monday and Friday).
How to get to Palau Infographic
Image credit: Pristine Paradise Palau
Travel to Palau
If you are planning to travel to Palau to experience the incredible diving that Palau is renowned for, you should fly to one of the 3 international airports that offer (direct) flights into Palau.
Keep in mind that Palau is a remote island and with that, not too many people plan a trip to Palau.
To give you an idea, in 2024 only 56,184 tourists travelled to Palau which is not enough to create a large market in the airline industry. Therefore there are no daily flights coming into Palau.
Blue Corner: Why Divers Rave About It
Quick hit of currents, reef hooks, and nonstop action this 1-minute clip shows why Blue Corner is a must-dive. Watch the Blue Corner video.
Flights to Palau from Manila, Philippines
- (MNL) – Palau (ROR)
- Flight Time: 2.5 hours
- Distance: 1.600 KM
Direct flights to Palau from the Philippines depart from Manila. Flights are scheduled on Friday and Tuesday nights.
Manila is a busy international airport with multiple nonstop daily flights to major destinations in Asia and Australia.
Many airlines offer daily direct flights to Manila from the United States and Europe.
It is, however, tough to schedule a same-day flight to Palau due to a conflict in the arrival and departure times and therefore it is best to make reservations for an overnight stay.
Also read: When is the Best Time to visit Palau?
Flights to Palau from Tokyo, Japan
- Narita (NRT) → Palau (ROR)
- Flight Time: Approximately 4.5 hours
- Distance: Around 3,000 km
- Tokyo to Palau: Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing 5:55 p.m., arriving 10:50 p.m.
- Palau to Tokyo: Thursdays and Sundays, departing 11:25 a.m., arriving 4:00 p.m.
Service Starts: October 29, 2025
This is the only year-round, nonstop U.S. airline route between Tokyo and Palau, offering travelers direct access to Palau’s pristine beaches, coral reefs, and 350+ islands.
Flights to Palau from Taiwan
- Taiwan (TPE) – Palau (ROR)
- Flight Time: 4 hours
- Distance 2.300 KM
Flights from Taiwan to Palau are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and take about four hours.
China Airlines offers direct flights from Europe to Taipei with good connections to flights to Koror.
Flying from Guam to Palau
- Guam (GUM) – Palau (ROR)
- Flight Time: 1.5 hours
- Distance: 1.300 KM
Flight Time: ~1.5–2 hours
You can fly from Guam to Palau and back every day except Saturday.
Guam has daily flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, providing an excellent connection hub to New York. If you are travelling from Europe, Guam also offers connections from London flights.
Also, Guam provides connections to multiple destinations, such as Japan, Korea, Manila, as well as Micronesian destinations such as Chuuk (Truk), Yap, and Kosrae.
Direct Flights from Australia to Palau
Brisbane to Palau
- Brisbane (BNE) – Palau (ROR)
- Flight Time: ~5.5–6 hours
- Distance: 2080 KM
Qantas Airlines flights from Brisbane, Australia, to Palau are scheduled to depart and arrive on Saturdays and return on Sundays.
This direct connection makes Palau far more accessible for Australian travelers, cutting out the need for multiple layovers through Asia.
For more details on schedules, travel times, and connection options, see our guide to flights to Palau from Australia.
Palau International Airport
Your Palau vacation will officially start when you arrive at Palau International Airport.
The official name of the airport is: The Roman Tmetuchl International and is Palau’s only (international) airport.
The airport code is: ROR. you can use the Palau airport code when searching for your flights to Palau online.
When planning your Palau vacation, make sure to stay in the loop about the most recent updates from the Palau Airport by following them on:
Tips for planning your vacation Palau
Double-check departure times and dates of “connecting” flights.
Automatic booking systems often show the route you can take from your home airport to the Palau International Airport.However, they can also cause trouble, in that they might not consider flights that have layovers, which in many cases is unavoidable.
Flight plans change, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions on how to get to Palau or need any help or advice when planning your Palau vacation.
- Have a Positive Mindset
Having a positive mindset is key. You are travelling to paradise. Try not to let the little things bother you too much. Remember, “You are on a Palau vacation!” - Get to the airport early
We hear this over and over again, but who does do this? Three hours before flight departure is a perfect time to arrive at the airport.When you get through check-in, customs, security and immigration quickly, you have enough time for a meal and to prepare yourself for the trip to Palau ahead.
Wear comfortable clothes
It seems like each time you get on a flight it is either too hot or too cold. You used to be able to count on the airlines having blankets on each flight, but this is no longer the case.Wear long pants, dark clothes and bring a sweater along to make your trip much more comfortable.
Join Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Airline employees can make use of “crew” lines for immigration. But, even they have a better option, that is available to all U.S. citizens or permanent residents, “Global Entry.”
All you have to do is run your passport through the kiosk, and you are on your way to customs.
TSA Pre-Check is similar and can help you get through airport security quicker, and you can even leave your shoes on! When you are standing in line waiting there is nothing more frustrating than seeing those who have done some planning whiz through these lines.
Buy Travel Insurance
It is always a good idea to buy travel insurance in case of unforeseen events. Travel insurance will vary from company to company.
We recommend coverage that includes:
- Health
- Evacuation
- Weather delays
- Missing baggage and missed flights due to weather
Explore More Palau Dive Videos
Prefer to see the dive sites before you book your flight to Palau?
Browse our growing video of dive sites, wrecks, and highlights so you can plan your trip to Palau with confidence.
Explore all watch videos.
While a Palau vacation takes a little extra planning, it isn’t difficult with the right support.
We handle more than just diving. If you need help with flights or hotel reservations in Palau, our concierge team can arrange everything.
All you have to do is pack your gear and get ready for the adventure.
To make planning even easier, explore our Palau dive packages or download the free Palau Travel Guide before you go.
If you still have questions about planning your trip, the answers below cover the most common details travelers ask before booking flights to Palau.
Fly into Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) in Koror via a major hub such as Manila, Guam, Tokyo (Narita), or Taipei.
These short-haul legs typically take ~2–5 hours depending on the hub, and offer the most reliable connections.
Scheduled carriers include United Airlines (via Guam, Manila, Tokyo Narita), China Airlines (via Taipei), and Qantas (Brisbane).
Charter capacity varies seasonally, including Sky Angkor Airlines and Cambodia Airways (Macau) and Hong Kong Airlines (Hong Kong).
Always confirm current schedules before booking.
The weekly Qantas “Palau Paradise Express” flies Brisbane → Koror in about 5.5–6 hours, cutting out multi-stop routings through Asia.
When the direct isn’t available, Brisbane/Sydney → Manila or Guam connections are the next-best options.
There are no mainland-US nonstops to Palau. Typical itineraries route San Francisco → Manila → Koror or Los Angeles/Honolulu → Tokyo Narita → Koror via United/partner airlines.
Choose the hub that best fits your dates and layover preferences
Yes you can fly San Francisco → Manila on a major carrier such as United Airlines or Philippine Airlines, and then catch a direct flight from Manila to Palau (approx. 2.5 hours). This is currently one of the most streamlined travel routes from the U.S. mainland.
There are no direct flights from Europe to Palau.
Travelers usually connect through Tokyo, Taipei, or Manila before flying onward to Koror.
Typical itineraries are
London → Tokyo Narita → Koror
Frankfurt → Taipei → Koror.
Amsterdam → Taipei → Koror.
Expect total travel times of around 24–26 hours, depending on layovers.
Australian travelers can now take advantage of the weekly direct Qantas “Palau Paradise Express” flight from Brisbane to Koror, which launched in December 2024.
The flight takes about 5.5–6 hours, eliminating the need for multiple connections. Seasonal fares have been as low as AUD 720 return, making it a fast and affordable option.
Definitely. Palau is ideally positioned for regional stopovers. Many travelers pair their trip with:
Taiwan (via China Airlines)
Japan (via United Airlines from Narita)
Philippines (via Manila)
Australia (via Brisbane with Qantas)
Macau or Hong Kong (via seasonal charter flights)
This makes Palau a fantastic extension to broader Asia-Pacific itineraries, especially for divers, island-hoppers, and eco-travelers.
All international flights land at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), located in Airai on Babeldaob Island. It’s about a 20–30 minute drive from Koror, Palau’s main hub for tourism, diving, dining, and accommodations.
The airport is small but efficient, with customs, immigration, baggage claim, and car rental desks. There’s also a Palau Visitors Authority kiosk to answer questions on arrival.
There’s no public bus or metro system in Palau, so most visitors rely on one of the following ground transfer options:
Palau Dive Adventures Pickup (24/7): If you’re diving with us, we’ll pick you up directly from Roman Tmetuchl International Airport any time, day or night. Our airport transfers are seamless, friendly, and included in your dive package. Just let us know your flight details.
Pre-arranged hotel transfer: Many hotels also offer complimentary or paid pickups. Be sure to confirm this when you book your accommodation.
Taxi: Available outside the airport with fixed rates (typically $20–USD 30 to Koror). Availability can be limited during peak arrival times, so it’s best to arrange transport ahead of time.
Rental car: Driving in Palau is easy and relaxed, with light traffic and driving on the right-hand side. Booking a rental car in advance is advised, especially during the high season.
Tip: If you’re diving with us, just focus on getting here, we’ll handle the rest from the moment you land.
Several charter airlines provide flights to Palau, particularly from Macau and Hong Kong, offering seasonal or group travel options:
Sky Angkor Airlines (from Macau)
Cambodia Airways (from Macau)
Hong Kong Airlines (from Hong Kong)
These don’t operate daily and may change by season, so always confirm availability when planning
On arrival in Palau, most visitors are required to sign the “Palau Pledge”, a commitment to support environmental conservation.
This cultural and sustainability initiative reflects Palau’s reputation as a leading marine-protected nation and helps reinforce visitor responsibility
Palau has limited specialist healthcare facilities. For serious medical conditions, travelers may need treatment in Taiwan, the Philippines, or Hawaii.
Visitors with specific health concerns are advised to obtain medical insurance covering regional medical evacuation and treatment
Guam → Koror is roughly 1.5–2 hours; Taipei → Koror is about 4 hours. Frequency varies by day, so check current timetables when planning.
