Metro Taxi

Meter starts around $2.50 when you hop in a Metro Taxi

Metro Taxi operates 24/7 at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), with cabs lined up outside the Main terminal baggage claim on the ground transportation level. Walk out of baggage claim doors 3 or 4 and you’ll usually see a dispatcher directing riders into the next available car. You don’t book ahead; you just join the line and go.

Fares run on a metered basis, starting at roughly $2.50 on the drop and about $2.70 per mile after that, plus a small airport surcharge that drivers add at PBI. A typical ride from PBI to downtown West Palm Beach is often under 10 minutes and usually comes out in the $15–$25 range before tip, depending on traffic and your exact address. Ask the driver for an estimate before you pull away from the curb.

You’ll find the Metro Taxi stand operating from early-morning arrivals around 5:00 a.m. through the last flights landing close to midnight, though the official company schedule lists 24-hour coverage. During the heavy bank of departures between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., lines can form, but they tend to clear in under 15 minutes. Late-night, you might wait an extra 5–10 minutes while the dispatcher calls additional cars.

Most Metro Taxi drivers at PBI accept credit cards using in-car terminals, but a few older cabs still prefer cash, so having at least $20–$40 on hand helps. Tipping follows standard U.S. practice at 15–20%, and some riders round up a $17 fare to $20 for short trips under 5 miles. If you need a receipt, ask before you get out; many cabs print one automatically, but not all.

Rides from PBI to Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, or Boca Raton can easily hit 20–40 minutes depending on I‑95 traffic, and fares on those longer runs may climb into the $45–$90 range. If your hotel sits more than 20 miles from the airport, compare the meter estimate with a rideshare quote from your phone before you leave the Main terminal curb.

Practical tip: If several flights land together and the line is long, send one person from your group to the Metro Taxi stand immediately after landing while the rest wait for checked bags at baggage claim in the Main terminal.