How To Get From Panama Airport To City Center Best Way – All Possible Ways (Updated 2023)

Last updated on March 20th, 2023 at 10:17 am

How To Get From Panama Airport To City Center Best Way – You can go by bus, taxi, shuttle bus and private transfer.

What Is The Distance From Panama Airport To City Center?

The distance from Panama International Airport to Panama city center is 30 kilometers. Click here to book online Panama activities and day trips 

The travel time by taxi from Panama airport to Panama city center is around 30 minutes. The taxi fare from Panama airport to downtown is $30 USD. Read here how to get from Panama city airport to Bocas del Toro and from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro

What Is The Cheapest Way From Panama Airport To City Center?

The cheapest way from Panama airport to city center is by bus plus metro for $1 USD. The bus travel time from Panama airport to downtown is around 1 hour.

What Is The Best Way From Panama Airport To City Center?

The best way from Panama airport to city center is by shared transfer for $14 USD per person and 30 minutes travel time and you can book online.

You can rent a car at Panama airport and you can hire Uber and private transfer which can be cheaper than a taxi.

Read here best Panamanian food, best fruits in Panama, Panama travel tips, vegetarian food in Panama, Panamanian drinks, Panamanian breakfast and best restaurants in Panama City.

SIM CARD AT PANAMA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Panama airport. They sell sim cards at Panama airport for around $30 USD and you will find better deals in the city compared to prices at the airport. If you wish more comfort you can buy eSim online Panama sim card for tourist and best Panama eSim

You can find the cheapest Panama eSim with Airalo Panama eSim prepaid for $9 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days and for $18 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

Holafly Panama eSim for $44 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER coming with 6 GB data valid for 15 days. Ubigi Panama eSim for $14 USD with 1 GB data valid for 30 days and for $38 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

WHERE TO STAY IN PANAMA

Hostel and dorms can only cost $15 USD a night in Panama if you’re on budget travel. They are decent and quite comfortable. There are also mid-range hotels in Panama. They can cost up to $50 USD a night if you want a more comfortable place to stay at while exploring Panama. If you prefer luxury will start from $100 USD per night.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

HOW TO GET FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN

SHARED TRANSFER FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO TO CITY CENTER (BEST WAY)

The best way from Panama airport to city center is by sharing a transfer direct to your hotel. The shared transfer travel time from Panama airport to city center is around 30 minutes.

The van fare from Panama airport to Panama city center is $14 USD per person and you can book online.

BUS FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER (CHEAPEST WAY)

The cheapest way from Tocumen International Airport to city center is by bus plus metro. You can get Bus Number E489 running every 20 minutes from Panama airport to Panama city center starting from 5 am until midnight. Check here Bus Number E489 route and schedule!

The total travel time from Tocumen International Airport to downtown is 20 minutes to Metro Pedregal. You need to ride the metro until San Miguelito Metro Station Line 1 which will take around 40 minutes. The total travel time bus plus metro from Panama airport to Panama city center is around 1 hour.

The bus fare from Panama airport to city center is 0.25 USD and the metro fare is 0.35 USD. You will have to pay with the RapiPass which costs $2 USD and it’s valid for 2 people (if you are traveling two of you which one you will manage).

Express Bus from Panama Airport To City Center

You can also use the Express Bus from Panama airport to city center which costs $1.25 USD. The bus is stopping at to Albrook, Corredor Sur where you can get a bus anywhere in the city or just take a taxi.

Avenida Balboa can be a great stop since you can walk a few minutes to a few hostels. The bus from Panama airport to downtown can take around 1 hour to reach Albrook Bus Terminal from Panama airport.

MetroBus or RapiPass

MetroBus or RapiPass costs $2 USD and you can buy at the Bus station and in the airport. You can top up and you need the card to get public transportation in Panama. One RapiPass is valid for 2 people. In case you don’t buy and you are inside the bus you can pay someone the bus fare and they will swipe the card since there are no bus tickets available on the bus.

Metro Map Panama

There are two lines for Metro in Panama a single journey costs $0.35 USD. Estación Iglesia del Carmen and Estación 5 de Mayo can be your option if you are staying around city center.

You will have to get the Metro Line 2 if you are coming by bus from the airport and transfer to Metro Line 1. Make sure you are bringing MetroBus or RapiPass $2 USD to ride the metro.

Pineapple Shuttle Bus Panama Airport To City

There is a Shuttle Bus from Panama airport to city center running 5 times per day. It’s organized by the hostels but you can use if your destination is near. A great idea if you are traveling alone. The shuttle bus fare is $14 USD per person you will have wifi on board.

Click here to get a shuttle bus from Panama airport to your hotel!

TAXI FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO PANAMA CITY CENTER

If you go from Panama airport to city center by taxi the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. The travel time from Panama airport to Panama city center by taxi is around 30 minutes.

The taxi fare from Tocumen International Airport to downtown is around $30 USD. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.

Maybe you will be able to go down the price by around $20 USD if you can speak Spanish and you are good at negotiating!

UBER FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER

Uber App in Panama can be useful for traveling around Panama but they have similar fares to taxis going from the airport to city center $20-30 USD depending on the traffic or time of the day.

CAR RENTAL AT PANAMA AIRPORT

There are many options for renting a car in Panama’s airport. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in Panama or planning to visit around. It will take you 30 minutes to get to Panama City from the airport in a private car. There are a few agencies like Hertz, Avis, Centauro available in the airport for $30 USD per day.

Get the best deals renting a car in Panama!

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER

Hotel transfers are convenient but can be expensive. The transfers are usually available 24 hours and are only ideal if you have the budget and you really want comfort after your flight to Panama. Prices are around $26 USD and you will be able to fit up to 7 people. It could be $4 USD per person.

Click here to get your discount booking online your private transfer with Bookaway!

BEST WAY FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO PANAMA CITY CENTER

BUS VS SHARED TRANSFER PROS AND CONS

The best way from Panama airport to city center is by bus plus metro for $1 USD and 1 hour travel time if you are on a tight budget.

The best way from Panama Airport to city center is by shared transfer for $14 USD and you can book online if you prefer comfort and get directly to your hotel. After a long flight, you will be in 30 minutes at your accommodation.

The best way from Panama airport to downtown if you are traveling in a group or with so much luggage you can get a taxi, private transfer directly to your hotel/

ACCOMMODATION BUDGET IN PANAMA

Hostel and dorms can only cost $15 USD a night in Panama which is a fair amount if you’re on budget travel. They are decent and quite comfortable. There are also mid-range hotels in Panama. They can cost up to $50 USD a night if you want a more comfortable place to stay at while exploring Panama. If you prefer luxury will start from $100 USD per night.

Click here to book your accommodation in Panama!

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN PANAMA

If you in local stands, a meal can cost up to $3-$4 USD. It can consist of rice, chicken, beans, and maybe another side plus a drink. You can also find cheap cafes and sandwich shops around for cheaper options of $5-$6 USD a meal. Beer is usually $1 USD during hostel happy hours while mixed drinks cost $2 USD.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PANAMA

The best time to visit Panama is during the summer dry season from mid-December to mid-April. The Panama Canal Zone has a tropical climate with high humidity year-round. You can also come to Panama in February, March, September and October for the least chance of rain.

Click here to know more about the weather in Panama!

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Happy Travels!