Palm Beach Airport (PBI) Terminal Guide 2026
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is one of Florida's most convenient airports: a single terminal, gates 1–22, and none of the mass-market chaos of Fort Lauderdale or Miami. This guide covers every airline, the arrival and departure flow, ground transportation realities, and flat-rate car service pricing to Palm Beach Island, Boca Raton, Wellington, and beyond.
No Rail Transit in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County has no light rail, no metro, and no streetcar system. Tri-Rail commuter rail does pass through the county but stops at Mangonia Park (3 miles north of PBI) — not at the airport — and only connects south to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. For Palm Beach Island, Boca Raton, Wellington, or any beach community, your realistic options are a private car service, rideshare, or taxi. Pre-booked flat-rate car service from Detailed Drivers eliminates surge pricing entirely.
PBI Airport Overview
Palm Beach International Airport opened in 1936 and has operated as a single-terminal facility since its 2002 renovation. With roughly 7 million annual passengers — a fraction of MIA or FLL — PBI offers an unusually civilized travel experience: security lines rarely exceed 15 minutes, parking is a short walk, and the terminal is compact enough to navigate in under 10 minutes.
The airport sits in West Palm Beach, just off Belvedere Road and I-95. It is 4 miles from downtown West Palm Beach, 7 miles from Palm Beach Island, 22 miles from Boca Raton, and 35 miles from Fort Lauderdale. For the affluent communities of Palm Beach County — including Palm Beach Island, Manalapan, Gulf Stream, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Wellington — PBI is simply the right airport.
PBI at a glance: IATA code PBI, ICAO code KPBI. GPS: 26.6832°N, 80.0956°W. Altitude: 19 feet MSL. Runways: 10L/28R (7,989 ft), 10R/28L (6,894 ft). FBO: Signature Flight Support (for private aviation clients).
PBI Terminal Structure: One Terminal, Three Concourses
Unlike multi-terminal airports, PBI has a single terminal building with three concourses (A, B, and C) housing gates 1 through 22. All airlines share the same ticketing lobby, security checkpoint, and baggage claim. This simplicity is the airport's biggest advantage — no AirTrain, no terminal transfers, no confusion about which building to use.
| Concourse | Gates | Airlines | Lounges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concourse A | Gates 1–8 | American Airlines (primary), Spirit, Frontier | Admirals Club (Gate 7) |
| Concourse B | Gates 9–16 | Delta, JetBlue, Breeze Airways, Sun Country | Delta Sky Club (Gate 14) |
| Concourse C | Gates 17–22 | United, Southwest | United Club (Gate 20) |
American Airlines is the dominant carrier at PBI, operating the most routes and most seats — particularly during snowbird season (December–April) when northeastern markets (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, DC) see dramatically increased frequency. American's Admirals Club lounge is the primary premium lounge at PBI.
Arrivals and Car Service Pickup at PBI
PBI's single-terminal design makes arrivals simple. After your flight lands, follow signs to baggage claim on the ground level. There is one baggage claim hall — no guessing which carousel is in which terminal.
After collecting luggage, exit through the sliding doors to the lower level curb (Arrivals Drive). Pre-arranged car services from Detailed Drivers position your chauffeur in the TNC/prearranged vehicle zone on the arrivals curb. Your driver will hold a sign with your name.
Flight Tracking Included — Every Booking
Detailed Drivers monitors your flight in real time. If your flight is delayed, your driver adjusts automatically — no frantic calls required. Call us anytime at (888) 420-0177.
For departures, Detailed Drivers recommends arriving at PBI approximately 90 minutes before domestic departure and 2 hours before international. PBI security is typically fast, but during peak snowbird weekends (January–March holidays), security lines can extend to 30–45 minutes.
Snowbird Season: December to April
Palm Beach is one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. Worth Avenue on Palm Beach Island rivals Rodeo Drive; estates on North Ocean Boulevard fetch $30M–$100M+. From December through April, the population of Palm Beach County swells as affluent northeasterners — collectively called "snowbirds" — migrate south to escape harsh winters.
During snowbird season, PBI passenger volumes increase 40–60% above summer levels. Key implications:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) surge pricing is common, especially on Friday evenings and holiday weekends
- PBI parking lots fill quickly — another reason to use a car service
- I-95 and US-1 traffic increases significantly; travel times to Palm Beach Island can double during rush hours
- The Wellington equestrian season (January–March) adds horse show traffic to routes west of the airport
Detailed Drivers' flat-rate pricing never surges during snowbird season. Your rate is guaranteed at booking.
Flat-Rate Car Service Pricing from PBI
All prices are one-way flat rates. No surge pricing. No hidden fees. Meet-and-greet service included on all airport pickups.
| Destination | Approx. Miles | Drive Time | Flat Rate (Sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown West Palm Beach | 4 mi | 10–15 min | $55 |
| Palm Beach Island (Worth Ave / The Breakers) | 7 mi | 15–20 min | $68 |
| Wellington | 14 mi | 20–25 min | $72 |
| Delray Beach | 17 mi | 20–30 min | $75 |
| Boca Raton (downtown / Mizner Park) | 22 mi | 25–35 min | $88 |
| Manalapan / Gulf Stream | 12 mi | 18–25 min | $72 |
| Jupiter / Palm Beach Gardens | 20 mi | 25–35 min | $80 |
| Fort Lauderdale (downtown / FLL) | 38 mi | 40–55 min | $135 |
| Miami Beach | 70 mi | 60–80 min | $195 |
| Port of Palm Beach (cruise) | 6 mi | 12–18 min | $65 |
* Rates for standard sedan. Escalade/Sprinter Van available — call (888) 420-0177 for Sprinter pricing on large groups.
PBI vs. FLL: Which Airport Should You Use?
For South Florida travelers, choosing between PBI and FLL depends entirely on your final destination and tolerance for airport chaos.
| Factor | PBI (Palm Beach) | FLL (Fort Lauderdale) |
|---|---|---|
| Terminals | 1 (simple) | 4 (requires shuttle between some) |
| Annual passengers | ~7 million | ~36 million |
| Security wait (typical) | 10–15 min | 20–35 min |
| To Palm Beach Island | 7 mi / 15 min ($68) | 47 mi / 50+ min ($145) |
| To Boca Raton | 22 mi / 30 min ($88) | 22 mi / 30 min ($88) |
| To Miami Beach | 70 mi / 75 min ($195) | 30 mi / 40 min ($85) |
| Airlines | AA, DL, UA, WN, B6, NK, F9 | All above + more international |
| Best for | Palm Beach, Boca, Wellington | Miami, Broward County |
Rule of thumb: If your destination is north of Boca Raton, fly PBI. If your destination is in Miami-Dade or Broward, fly FLL or MIA.
Corporate and Major Employer Transportation from PBI
Palm Beach County hosts major financial, healthcare, and professional services employers. Detailed Drivers provides account-based corporate transportation for executives and corporate travel managers.
| Employer | Location | From PBI | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| G4S / Allied Universal | West Palm Beach | 5 mi / 12 min | $58 |
| Pratt & Whitney (RTX) | West Palm Beach | 8 mi / 15 min | $62 |
| ADT Inc. | Boca Raton | 22 mi / 30 min | $88 |
| GEO Group | Boca Raton | 22 mi / 30 min | $88 |
| Wellington Equestrian (WEF) | Wellington | 14 mi / 22 min | $72 |
| The Breakers Palm Beach | Palm Beach Island | 7 mi / 18 min | $68 |
| Cheney Brothers | Riviera Beach | 10 mi / 18 min | $65 |
Major Events Served from PBI
Palm Beach is a global events destination. Rideshare prices surge dramatically during these events — pre-book flat-rate car service:
Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF)
January–March
Wellington International
World's largest equestrian series; 12+ weeks
Palm Beach International Boat Show
March
Downtown West Palm Beach waterfront
One of top 5 boat shows in the US
SunFest
Late April/May
Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
Florida's largest waterfront music festival
Art Palm Beach
January
Palm Beach County Convention Center
Major contemporary art fair
Worth Avenue Season Events
December–April
Palm Beach Island
Fashion shows, galas, charity auctions
Palm Beach Polo
January–April
Wellington
High-goal polo season at International Polo Club
Frequently Asked Questions About PBI
Is there light rail or train service from PBI airport?
No. Palm Beach County has no light rail or metro system. Tri-Rail commuter rail has a station at Mangonia Park (about 3 miles north) but connects only to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, not to Palm Beach Island or Boca Raton. For anywhere in Palm Beach County, a private car service is the most practical option.
Where is the car service pickup area at PBI?
After baggage claim, exit to the lower level curb (Arrivals). Pre-arranged car services meet passengers at the designated TNC/prearranged pickup zone on the arrivals curb. Your chauffeur will be holding a name sign. Call (888) 420-0177 if you cannot locate your driver.
How far is PBI from Palm Beach Island?
PBI is approximately 4 miles from downtown West Palm Beach and 6-7 miles from Palm Beach Island (across the Intracoastal Waterway). Drive time is typically 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Flat-rate car service from PBI to Palm Beach Island runs about $68.
How far is PBI from Boca Raton?
Boca Raton is approximately 22 miles south of PBI along I-95 or US-1. Drive time is typically 25-35 minutes. Flat-rate car service from PBI to central Boca Raton runs about $85-95.
Should I fly into PBI or FLL for Palm Beach County?
For Palm Beach Island, Wellington, or anything north of Boca Raton, PBI is clearly better — you avoid 45+ minutes of extra driving from Fort Lauderdale. For Boca Raton or Delray Beach, the airports are roughly equal distance. PBI also has a smaller, less congested terminal that is far easier to navigate than FLL.
What is PBI's snowbird season and how does it affect service?
Palm Beach's peak season runs December through April, when wealthy northeasterners ('snowbirds') migrate south. PBI passenger volumes increase 40-60% during this period. Rideshare surge pricing is common, especially during holidays and during Worth Avenue shopping weekends. Pre-booked flat-rate car service from Detailed Drivers locks in your rate regardless of surge.
Does Detailed Drivers serve Wellington and the equestrian community?
Yes. Wellington, FL hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival (January-March) at Wellington International — one of the world's premier show jumping venues. Detailed Drivers provides equestrian-community transportation: PBI to Wellington ($72), horse show transfers, and accommodations for large parties. Call (888) 420-0177 for equestrian-specific arrangements.
Does Detailed Drivers serve the Port of Palm Beach for cruises?
Yes. Port of Palm Beach (Riviera Beach) is about 6 miles from PBI and serves Royal Caribbean's Bahamas day cruises and other regional sailings. Flat-rate car service from PBI to Port of Palm Beach is $65.
Book Car Service to or from PBI
Flat-rate pricing, professional chauffeurs, and flight tracking on every booking. No surge pricing — not during snowbird season, not during the Equestrian Festival, not ever.