Car rental West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

When you collect your hire vehicle from Palm Beach International Airport, you’ll be ideally placed to head straight to Downtown West Palm Beach, seven kilometres away via Australian Avenue. From here, it’s just a short drive across the water to Palm Beach, via the Flagler Memorial Bridge or Royal Park Bridge.

The airport lies just off the I-95, the east coast’s major interstate route, which connects it to Boca Raton around 40km to the south. This freeway then continues down the coast to destinations including Fort Lauderdale and Miami. You can also follow it north to Daytona Beach and Florida’s biggest city, Jacksonville, which is 458km away.

Other major routes in and around West Palm Beach include US Route 1 (US 1), which passes through the downtown and business districts. One of the busiest toll roads in the state - known as Florida’s Turnpike - also passes through West Palm Beach. This connects the city with Orlando, 275km to the north-east, and Tampa, more than 300km away on Florida’s west coast.

Nearby West Palm Beach is easy to navigate by car. Some of its main roads, including Okeechobee Boulevard, which connects traffic coming from I-95 to Palm Beach, can get busy during morning and evening rush hour, so make sure you allow plenty of time for your journey.

Florida has similar driving rules to other US states – use the right-hand side of the road, ensure all passengers wear seatbelts and use your headlights when your windscreen wipers are on. According to state law, any child under the age of five must use a federally-approved child car seat.

Swaying palm trees, vibrant shopping districts and a thriving arts scene - there’s plenty to enjoy on the doorstep of Palm Beach Airport. Nestled on the Atlantic Coast where the ocean sparkles and the sand is super soft, it’s prime vacation country. Even when you’ve ticked off its best bits, it’s a great starting point to explore the rest of the Sunshine State.

Downtown highlights

Find the historical heart of West Palm Beach at Clematis Street, home to buildings dating back to the 1920s including the Comeau Building and Harvey Building. Wander along the tree-lined boulevard and pop into the colourful stores.

Nearby you’ll find CityPlace, a huge shopping, dining and entertainment destination that’s designed to look like a European town centre, complete with elegant buildings and outdoor cafes. West Palm Beach Green Market is also worth a visit, where vendors set up their stalls on Saturdays to sell fresh gourmet foods, exotic plants and speciality teas and coffees.

Art lovers will enjoy the Norton Museum of Art just a short distance away. Stroll through the gallery and admire the impressive collection of 19^th and 20^th century paintings and sculptures by European and American artists.

Hit the beach

Florida is one of the most popular destinations for beach lovers in the US, thanks to its balmy climate and beautiful blue ocean. With kilometres of Atlantic coastline to enjoy, the local area boasts plenty of choices for sun seekers - and with a rental car you’ll be able to take your pick.

For scenic views of the coastline, head to Lake Worth Beach where you’ll find golden sand beaches perfect for soaking up the sun. Coral Cove Park in Tequesta is a quieter area with calm waters and great snorkelling. You can spot sea turtles, eels and plenty of colourful fish around the reefs and rocks.

At North Palm Beach is John D MacArthur State Park on a barrier island with great facilities for kayaking and canoeing. The surrounding area is home to rare and endangered plant species along with herons, sandpipers and brown pelicans, making it a popular destination for bird spotting.

Animal encounters

With the amazing array of wildlife in this part of Florida, it’s no surprise that animal lovers flock here. Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society has hundreds of native and exotic creatures - from Mexican spider monkeys to endangered Malayan tigers. The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes experiences, allowing you to get up close with residents including koalas, sloths and flamingos.

Just a short distance away is South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, filled with some of the state’s most fascinating and beautiful native fish. The Aquariums of the Atlantic attraction gives you the chance to learn all about local coral reefs and unique environments of the Gulf Stream and Everglades. When you rent a car at Palm Beach International Airport, you’ll have the chance to experience these natural environments first hand, with the Everglades a few hours’ drive down the coast.

Car rental from Palm Beach International Airport gives you the chance to make the most of your time in this sunny part of Florida and explore even more attractions beyond.