Getting to Palau has never been easier with new direct flight routes and expanded airline options making this Pacific paradise more accessible than ever. Whether you're planning your first Palau adventure or returning to explore more of Micronesia's pristine waters, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about reaching our home, the Republic of Palau.

Table of Contents

  1. Interactive Flight Connections Map
  2. Which Cities Have Direct Flights to Palau?
  3. Airlines Flying to Palau in 2025
  4. Best Routes from Different Regions
  5. Visa Requirements: Do You Need One?
  6. Airport Transportation - Why You Need to Pre-Book
  1. Cost Breakdown: How Expensive Is It Really?
  2. Safety in Palau - What You Need to Know
  3. Entry Requirements and Health Declarations
  4. Multi-Day Packages with Airport Transfers Included
  5. Best Time to Book and Travel Tips
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

🏝️ The Ultimate Guide to Getting to Palau in 2025

Interactive Flight Connections Map

See all major flight connections to Koror, Palau with our interactive map showing flight paths from Tokyo, Manila, Brisbane, Guam, and Taiwan.

See all flights between Palau and hubs
  • Color-Coded Routes - Each origin city has a unique color for easy identification
  • Interactive Markers - Click on cities for more information

Which Cities Have Direct Flights to Palau?

Current Direct Flight Routes (September 2025):

Guam (GUM) β†’ Koror (ROR) Daily except Saturday β€’ 1.5 hours
Manila (MNL) β†’ Koror (ROR) Tue & Fri nights β€’ 3.0 hours
Tokyo Narita (NRT) β†’ Koror (ROR) Wed & Sat β€’ 4.5 hours
Brisbane (BNE) β†’ Koror (ROR) Saturdays β€’ 5.5 hours
Taipei (TPE) β†’ Koror (ROR) Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat β€’ 3.5 hours
NEW Route Alert!

Tokyo Narita β†’ Koror service started October 29, 2025! This is the only year-round, nonstop U.S. airline route between Tokyo and Palau.

Charter/Seasonal Routes:
  • Hong Kong (seasonal availability)
  • Macau (charter flights)

Airlines Flying to Palau in 2025

Scheduled Airlines:

United Airlines
From Guam, Manila, and Tokyo Narita (most comprehensive network)
China Airlines
From Taipei with excellent European connections
Qantas
Direct Brisbane service with competitive Australian pricing

Charter Airlines:

  • Sky Angkor Airlines (from Macau)
  • Cambodia Airways (from Macau)
  • Hong Kong Airlines (from Hong Kong)
Pro Tip:

These starting points (Guam, Manila, Tokyo, Brisbane, Taiwan) are major international airline hubs with extensive connections worldwide, making your journey to Palau much easier to plan!

Best Routes from Different Regions

From United States

West Coast - San Francisco β†’ Manila β†’ Koror (most direct)
East Coast - New York β†’ Tokyo Narita β†’ Koror
Hawaii - Honolulu β†’ Guam β†’ Koror

From Europe

London: London β†’ Tokyo Narita β†’ Koror
Vienna/Frankfurt: Vienna β†’ Taipei β†’ Koror
Total travel time: around 22-24 hours with connections

From Australia/New Zealand

Australia - Brisbane direct service (5.5-6 hours) - BEST OPTION!
New Zealand - Auckland β†’ Brisbane β†’ Koror

Best Route!
From Asia

Japan - Tokyo Narita direct (newest route!)
Philippines - Manila direct
Taiwan - Taipei direct
South Korea - Seoul β†’ Taipei β†’ Koror

aerial photo of a scenic flight over Palau's Rock Islands

Visa Requirements - Do You Need One?

For Filipino Citizens - NO VISA REQUIRED!

Filipinos can enter Palau visa-free for tourism stays. You only need:

  • Valid passport (6+ months validity)
  • Proof of return/onward travel
  • Completed Health Declaration Form
Visa-Free Countries:
  • US Citizens - No visa needed (passport required)
  • EU Citizens - Visa-free for most countries (30-90 days)
  • Australian/New Zealand - No visa required
  • Most Asian Nations - Visa on arrival or prior approval
Universal Requirements:
  • Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
  • Proof of onward/return transportation
  • Signed Palau Pledge (environmental commitment)
  • Health Declaration Form

Airport Transportation - Why You Need to Pre-Book

CRITICAL INFORMATION:

There are NO taxis or public buses at the airport in Palau! You MUST arrange transportation in advance.

Your Transportation Options:
  • Hotel pickup (arrange in advance)
  • Pre-booked taxi (limited availability, $20-30 USD to Koror)
  • Rental car (book ahead, especially high season)
  • Tour operator transfer (most reliable option)
Palau Explorer Airport Shuttle

βœ… YES - We include airport shuttles in ALL our multi-day packages!

  • 24/7 pickup service
  • Direct transfer to Koror
  • Return transfer included
  • No additional cost
  • Meet and greet service

Cost Breakdown - How Expensive Is It Really?

Flight Costs (Round-trip estimates):

From Flight Cost (USD) Flight Time Frequency
Brisbane around $680 5.5 hours Weekly (Saturdays)
Taiwan around $650 4 hours 4x weekly
Tokyo around $750 4.5 hours 2x weekly
Manila around $900 3.5 hours 2x weekly
Guam around $1,200 1.5 hours 6x weekly
Additional Costs
  • Ground Transportation $25-60 USD
  • Mandatory Tourist Fees Varies by State - around $50 USD
  • Travel Insurance $50-150 USD
Money-Saving Tips
  • Book 3-6 months in advance
  • Consider shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October)
  • Look for package deals that include transfers
  • Check for connecting flight deals through Taipei, Manila or Tokyo

Safety in Palau - What You Need to Know

Overall Safety Rating - EXCELLENT

Why Palau is Safe
  • Extremely low crime rates
  • Political stability
  • Well-maintained infrastructure
  • English widely spoken
  • Modern medical facilities in Koror
Health & Safety Considerations
  • No malaria or major tropical diseases
  • Excellent water quality
  • Modern hospital in Koror
  • Medical evacuation insurance recommended
  • Strong marine conservation laws

Entry Requirements and Health Declarations

Mandatory Upon Arrival
Palau Pledge - World's first conservation commitment
Health Declaration Form - Complete online before arrival
Immigration Form - Standard arrival card
Customs Declaration - Declare restricted items
Prohibited Items
  • Sunscreen with harmful chemicals (reef-safe only)
  • Certain fishing equipment
  • Controlled substances
  • Weapons
  • Animal and plant products
  • Vaping devices and substances

Multi-Day Packages with Airport Transfers Included

Palau Explorer Advantage

βœ… Airport transfers included in ALL multi-day packages
βœ… 24/7 pickup service - any flight, any time
βœ… Meet and greet with local expertise
βœ… Direct transfer to Koror accommodations
βœ… Return airport transfer for departure

7-Day Palau Ultimate Adventure
$1,015

per person

  • Airport transfers included
  • 7 days lunch & coconuts
  • All tour experiences
  • Expert local guides
  • 24/7 support
6-Day Palau Island Discovery
$882

per person

  • Airport transfers included
  • 6 days lunch & coconuts
  • Culture & Nature blend
  • Island hopping tours
  • Local guide expertise
4-Day Palau Cultural & Adventure Blend
$606

per person

  • Airport transfers included
  • 4 days lunch & coconuts
  • Cultural immersion
  • Adventure activities
  • Traditional experiences
3-Day Palau Cultural-Nature Sprint
$434

per person

  • Airport transfers included
  • 3 days lunch & coconuts
  • Quick cultural overview
  • Nature highlights
  • Perfect for short trips
Why Choose Packages with Transfers
  • Eliminates transportation stress
  • Local expertise from arrival
  • Seamless experience
  • Cost savings vs. booking separately
  • 24/7 support throughout your stay
  • Palau Explorer's small group size - boutique tours
  • No hidden taxes & fees - pay what you see

Best Time to Book and Travel Tips

Best Booking Timeline
  • International Flights - Book 3-6 months ahead
  • Peak Season (Dec-Mar) - Book 6+ months ahead
  • Shoulder Season (Apr-May, Sep-Oct) - Book 2-3 months ahead
Pro Travel Tips
  1. Pack Smart - Reef-safe sunscreen, underwater camera
  2. Arrive Early - 3+ hours before international flights
  3. Travel Insurance - Essential for medical evacuation
  4. Multiple Airlines - Consider different carriers
  5. Stopover Opportunities - Explore Tokyo, Taipei, Manila, Brisbane
Season Weather Prices Best For
Dry Season
(Dec-Apr)		 Best weather Highest prices Peak snorkeling & diving, less rain
Wet Season
(May-Nov)		 Afternoon showers Lower prices Budget travelers, fewer crowds

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco β†’ Manila β†’ Koror via United Airlines offers the most streamlined route with the new daily SF-Manila service. This eliminates the need for multiple connections and reduces overall travel time. Los Angeles β†’ Hawaii β†’ Guam β†’ Koror via United Airlines is the most commonly selected flight route from the USA.

No direct flights exist from Europe to Palau. Your best options are connecting through Tokyo Narita, Taipei, or Manila. Typical routes include Frankfurt β†’ Tokyo β†’ Koror or Vienna β†’ Taipei β†’ Koror, with total travel times of 22-24 hours.

Just 5.5-6 hours direct from Brisbane on Qantas - the fastest route from any major continent! The "Paradise Express" flight operates weekly on Saturdays, with return fares starting around $680 USD.

Yes! United Airlines (Star Alliance) and China Airlines participate in major frequent flyer programs. You can often use miles for flights to the connecting hubs (Tokyo, Manila, Taipei) and then pay cash for the short hop to Palau. For Autralian traveler, Qantas offers an extensive award program.

Palau is moderately to expensive to reach due to its remote location, but package deals and advance booking can significantly reduce costs. Flight prices range from $650 (Taiwan) to $1,200 (Guam), with additional costs like Koror State fees ($50) and ground transport.

Palau Explorer provides 24/7 pickup regardless of delays - we track your flight and adjust pickup times automatically. This is included in all our multi-day packages, so you never have to worry about being stranded at the airport.

πŸ“’ Share This Ultimate Palau Guide

Help others discover the beauty of Palau with our comprehensive travel guide!