A guide to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Quick insights
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is the primary airport in Palm Beach County, Florida, serving the cities of Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Jupiter, among others.
- There are multiple parking options on site.
- The airport has one terminal with three concourses.
The Palm Beach International AirportOpens overlay is less than 3 miles west of the city of West Palm Beach, Florida. PBI is the primary airport for many Palm Beach County residents, which includes those in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens.
While it’s not the largest airport in Florida, PBI offers more than 200 daily flights to many destinations in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.
Read on for more information about getting to and around PBI.
Navigating to and from PBI
PBI is adjacent to I-95 between West Palm Beach and Lake Worth, FL. Road access to the airport is direct from I-95, Southern Boulevard and Congress Avenue via the Direct Connect Exit (exit 69B).
For those not driving to or from the airport, there are several ground transportation options available. Ground transportation services are on level one of the terminal near baggage claim.
Options may include:
- Rental cars: Car rental service counters for customer check in are on level one of the terminal. Rental car lots are located off the airport in a few locations. There is a complimentary shuttle to take passengers to the rental lots.
- Rideshare: Rideshare services are not in the ground transportation area on level one. Rideshare pickups are on level three.
- Taxis: Taxi, sedan, SUV and van services are located at the ground transportation desk, which is past carousel six in the baggage claim area. Reservations are typically not required for these services.
- Hotel shuttles: Some local hotels provide shuttle services to and from PBI. Signs in the ground transportation area direct passengers to the area on the outer curb designated for pick-up by hotel courtesy shuttles. The airport website includes a list of the hotelsOpens overlay that operate shuttles at PBI.
- Public transit: Palm Beach County's public bus transportation has a stop on the outer curb in the ground transportation area. Bus route maps are available inside the Terminal on level one. In addition, Tri-Rail provides rail service between West Palm Beach and Miami. The airport is accessible by Tri-Rail from the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station, located at 203 South Tamarind Avenue.
- Cell phone lot: The cell phone waiting lot is located at the Travel Plaza. The PBI Travel Plaza has Wi-Fi, flight information, an electric car charging station and a gas station.
Parking at PBI
There are several parking options at PBI. All lots operate on a first come, first served basis and most parking options allow you to pay with cash or a card.
Parking options may include:
- Premium: With the highest daily rate, the premium parking lot provides short- and long-term parking. It has direct access to the terminal and is right outside of baggage claim.
- Short term: With direct access to the terminal, the short-term garage offers daily and hourly rates.
- Long term: The long-term parking garage offers daily and hourly rates and has direct access to level two of the terminal.
- Economy: The economy lot is the furthest from the terminal but offers the lowest daily and hourly rates. This lot is approximately a 5-minute walk to the terminal, but there are complimentary shuttles from this lot to the terminal.
The PBI website includes the most up-to-date map of the parking optionsOpens overlay.
PBI terminals and map
PBI has one terminal with dozens of gates spread across three concourses (A, B and C). Concourse A is a ground-level concourse with gates for smaller regional aircraft. Most travelers will fly in or out of Concourse B or C.
Customs and immigration services for international flights are located on the lower level on the west side of the terminal and may be accessed by gates in Concourses A and B.
The airport has three levels:
- Level one: Baggage claim, ground transportation and rental car counters
- Level two: Security screening, all gates, food and dining options and an airport lounge
- Level three: Ticket counters, passenger check in and rideshare service pick-ups
The PBI website provides an airport map,Opens overlay which features amenities, dining and shopping locations.
Security at PBI
There are two security checkpoints on level two. They are located on opposite ends of the terminal. One provides screening for Concourse C and the other for Concourses A and B.
It is typically recommended that travelers arrive at the airport two hours prior to their departure time for domestic flights and three hours prior for international flights.
Getting through airport security faster
Customs and TSA wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck® enables members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Global Entry enables members to bypass the standard customs line and, if available, to use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Things to do at PBI
There are dining options throughout the airport that include a mix of fast food, grab-and-go options and sit-down restaurants. There are also stores that sell travel essentials, clothing and souvenirs.
For those traveling with pets, there are two indoor pet relief areas after security in Concourse B and C. Outdoor pet relief areas are located on the east and west ends of the terminal, outdoors on level one.
Art lovers may want to check out the PBI Art Gallery if time permits. It is centrally located on level two in the atrium near the putting green.
In summary
PBI has one terminal with three levels and three concourses. The second level includes security screening and most gates. Ticketing counters and check-in are on level three and ground transportation as well as baggage claim are on level one.
There are several parking lots and garages and a cell phone waiting lot just off the airport property in PBI’s Travel Plaza. Most parking garages are within walking distance of the terminal. However, for those parking in one of the economy parking lots, there is an airport shuttle to take passengers to and from the terminal.
