Figuring out how to get to Palau can be tricky and that is why we wrote this detailed article.
When you are making tentative plans to travel to Palau or you want to book your flights to Palau you will be pleased to hear that ‘Palau is open for travel”.
You can fly directly into Palau from:
- Guam
- Brisbane (Australia)
- Taipei
- Manila
- Hongkong
- Japan
There are 6 airlines flying to Palau
- United Airlines from Guam, Manila and Japan (Narita)
- China Airlines from Taipei to Palau
- Quantas Airlines from Brisbane to Palau
Charter Flights
- Sky Angkor Airlines from Macau to Palau
- Cambodia Airways from Macau to Palau
- Hongkong Airline from Hongkong to Palau
Table of Contents
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 a 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.
A Quicker Route Into Palau from the USA
United Airlines announced that from October 29, 2023, they will offer daily non-stop flights between Manila and San Francisco. This also means a quicker and more direct route to Palau.
Until then u will start your Palau vacation from the USA when boarding a United Airlines flight in LAX and you will fly to Palau via Honolulu, Guam, into Palau.
Flights to Palau from the US come in only twice a week on 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 2019 only 94000 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.
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 Korror.
Flying from Guam to Palau
- Guam (GUM) – Palau (ROR)
- Flight Time: 1.5 hours
- Distance: 1.300 KM
The flight from Guam to Palau is only 2 hours or so.
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: 3 hours
- Distance: 2080 KM
Quantas Airlines Flights from Brisbane, Australia to Palau are scheduled to depart and arrive on Saturdays and depart on Sundays.
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 follow them on:
Tips for planning your vacation Palau
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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.
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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
While a Palau vacation takes a little extra planning, it is not that difficult.
✈️ We handle more than just diving.
Need help with flights or hotel reservations in Palau?
We’ve got you. Our concierge team can arrange everything so you don’t have to stress or guess, just pack your gear, and we’ll handle the rest.
The easiest and most reliable way to reach Palau is by air, landing at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) — the country’s only international gateway. While there are no direct long-haul flights from North America or Europe, most travelers connect through one of the following hubs:
Seoul (Incheon International Airport – ICN)
Taipei (Taoyuan International Airport – TPE)
Guam (Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport – GUM)
Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport – MNL)
From these hubs, you’ll find regular flights operated by trusted regional carriers. These short-haul segments typically range from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the origin.
As of now, six airlines offer scheduled or charter service to Palau:
Scheduled Commercial Airlines
United Airlines — from Guam, Manila, and Tokyo Narita
China Airlines — from Taipei
Qantas Airways — from Brisbane
Charter Airlines (seasonal or group bookings)
Sky Angkor Airlines — from Macau
Cambodia Airways — from Macau
Hong Kong Airlines — from Hong Kong
Always check with your airline or a travel advisor for up-to-date schedules, as charter flights may vary by season or availability.
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.
There are no non-stop flights from the mainland US to Palau. Most routes connect once through Guam, Honolulu, Manila, Tokyo Narita, or Taipei.
Common itineraries include San Francisco → Manila → Koror or Los Angeles/Honolulu → Tokyo
Narita → Koror.
United Airlines and China Airlines are popular carriers for these routes.
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
