Roman Tmetuchl International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

The Roman Tmetuchl International Airport is in Airai, on the island of Babeldaob, linked by a bridge to the island of Koror, where the town and almost all of Palau's hotels are located: about 6 km and 15 minutes by car separate the terminal from the centre of Koror. Those with only a short layover will find in Airai the only hotel a few minutes from the terminal, with a free shuttle; for everything else, the real choice is between the centre of Koror, handy for restaurants and dive shops, and the beach resorts at Malakal and Meyungs, more isolated but with direct access to the sea.

Airai, near the airport

Airport area · About 1.7 miles (6 minutes by car) from the terminal, with a free hotel shuttle to and from the airport; the centre of Koror is then another 15 minutes by car.

Best for: Short layovers or early-morning flights, when it's worth staying a few minutes from the terminal instead of crossing the bridge to Koror.

Pros

Free shuttle to the airport, handy for those with an early flight or a layover of a few hours
Lower prices than the beach resorts in Koror

Cons

In Airai there are no independent restaurants or shops outside the hotel
For the centre of Koror or diving in the Rock Islands you still need a 15-minute transfer

Recommended hotels in this area

Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa: The only hotel a few minutes from the terminal, with a free shuttle to and from the airport; the centre of Koror remains about 15 minutes away by car.

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Centre of Koror

City centre · About 6 km and 15 minutes by car from the airport, crossing the Koror-Babeldaob bridge.

Best for: Those who want restaurants, shops and dive offices within walking distance in Koror's commercial district.

Pros

Restaurants, the WCTC Shopping Center and dive agency offices within walking distance
Generally lower prices than the beach resorts

Cons

No private beach: for the sea you need a boat trip to the Rock Islands
An urban area, so less quiet than the resorts outside town

Recommended hotels in this area

Palasia Hotel: The tallest building in Palau, in the heart of Koror's commercial district, a 5-minute walk from the shops; 165 rooms with balconies overlooking the Rock Islands.
West Plaza Hotel at Lebuu Street: On Lebuu Street, right behind the Palasia Hotel and a 2-minute walk from the WCTC Shopping Center; a recently opened property with an in-house gym.

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Malakal and Meyungs beaches

Neighbourhood · The Palau Royal Resort is about 10 minutes by car from the airport and 3 minutes from the centre of Koror, on Malakal Island; the Palau Pacific Resort, more isolated in Meyungs, is about 28-30 minutes from the airport.

Best for: Those who want a private beach and snorkelling right from the resort, accepting a car ride to the centre of Koror.

Pros

Private beach with a coral reef reachable by swimming from the shore
Away from the traffic of the centre, ideal for those seeking relaxation rather than city life

Cons

No independent restaurant nearby: you depend on the property
The Palau Pacific Resort is the farthest from the airport among the hotels in this guide

Recommended hotels in this area

Palau Royal Resort: Right on the beach of Malakal Island, just 3 minutes by car from the centre of Koror; run by Nikko Hotels, with a private beach and coral reef for snorkelling.
Palau Pacific Resort & The Pristine Villas and Bungalows: On a private white-sand beach in Meyungs, with villas in traditional Palauan style and an in-house PADI dive centre; among the most isolated in Koror, about 30 minutes from the airport.

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