How do you get to Panama City?
Getting There5.4/10Harder to reach than about 50% of cities
- Main airport
- Tocumen International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: flightsfrom.com, en.wikipedia.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Panama's currency is the Balboa (PAB), pegged 1:1 to USD; USD is accepted everywhere and many prices show both symbols
- Metro and Metrobus cards require advance purchase (not available for cash payment); get your card at airport metro station or Albrook terminal upon arrival
- Airport is 35 minutes from city center by metro; avoid overpriced airport taxis by using Metro Line 2 airport branch (opened 2023)
- San Blas Islands day trips depart very early (around 5am) and return late (6pm), involving ~2.5 hour drive each way on partly rough roads; overnight stays have very rustic accommodations
- Ferry schedules to Pearl Islands vary seasonally; confirm departures and weather conditions before booking
- Bocas del Toro requires domestic flight or 9-hour night bus; many nomads prefer flying (1 hour from Albrook)
- Intercity buses within Panama cost $5-20 depending on distance; depart from Albrook Terminal; online booking available but cash payment common
- Most long-distance transport from Panama City originates at Albrook Terminal (connected by Metro Line 1)
Portobelo
- Location
- Caribbean coast
- Distance From Panama City Km
- 50
Features
- Historic Spanish forts
- Black Christ statue (Cristo Negro)
- Diving
- Snorkeling
Bocas Del Toro
- Location
- Caribbean coast, northwest Panama
- Ferry Access Domestic
- Water taxi from Almirante
- Access From Panama City
- Flight (1 hour) from Albrook (PAC) or 9-hour night bus from Albrook terminal
Features
- Island archipelago
- Snorkeling
- Beaches
- Caribbean atmosphere
San Blas Islands
- Location
- Northern coast, Caribbean Sea
- Access Method
- 4x4 vehicle transfer from Panama City to Port Cartí, then boat
- Travel Time Hours
- 4
- Distance From Panama City
- Approximately 100-150 km by road + boat
- Indigenous Guna Population
- Yes
Features
- Crystal clear waters
- Coral reefs
- White sand beaches
- Eco-tourism
Tour Options
- Day trip (5am-6pm)
- 1-2 night overnight stays
Airport
- Code
- PTY
- Name
- Tocumen International Airport
- Domestic Flights
- Available from Albrook International Airport (PAC) to David, Bocas del Toro, Boquete
- Metro Connection
- Metro Line 2 branch opened March 2023, connects airport to main metro system
- Destinations Count
- 94
- International Flights
- Yes
- Distance From City Center Km
- 25
- Transit Time To City Center Minutes
- 35
Major Airlines
- Copa Airlines (hub)
- AVIANCA
- Air Europa
- Iberia
- Air France
- KLM
- Delta
- Turkish Airlines
Panama Canal
- Access
- Bus/metro to Albrook, then guided tours available
- Partial Transit
- Boat tours through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks to Gatun Lake
Ground Transport
Taxi
- Minimum Fare
- PAB 1.50
- Typical City Ride
- PAB 2.50
- Typical City Ride Max
- PAB 5.00
- Note
- Taxi drivers may overcharge tourists; use hotel services for reliability
Metro
- Lines
- 2
- Card Cost
- PAB 4.00
- System Name
- Panama Metro
- Hours Line 1
- 05:00-23:00 weekdays; 05:00-22:00 Saturday; 07:00-22:00 Sunday/holidays
- Student Fare
- PAB 0.17
- Fare Per Trip
- PAB 0.35
- Payment Method
- Card only (no cash accepted)
- Minimum Recharge
- PAB 0.50
- Operational Since
- 2014
- Line 1 Distance Km
- 18.1
- Line 2 Distance Km
- 24
- Transfer Fare Lines 1 2
- PAB 0.85
Metrobus
- Coverage
- Extensive network across Panama, San Miguelito, and Colón districts
- Card Cost
- PAB 2.00
- System Name
- Metrobus (MiBus)
- Routes Count
- 238
- Corridor Fare
- PAB 1.25
- Standard Fare
- PAB 0.25
- Payment Method
- Card only (no cash accepted)
- Bus Stops Count
- 1350
Ferry Connections
Pearls Islands
- Frequency
- Thursday-Monday; Tuesday-Wednesday by charter only
- Taboga Fare
- PAB 25
- Contadora Fare
- PAB 55
- Departure Time
- 08:00, returns 16:30-17:30
- Departure Point
- Amador Causeway / Trump Ocean Club
- Local Boats Fare
- PAB 15
- Taboga Duration Minutes
- 30
- Contadora Duration Minutes
- 90
- Local Boats Duration Minutes
- 15
Destinations
- Taboga Island
- Contadora Island
- Saboga Island
- Viveros Island
Ferry Companies
- Ferry Las Perlas
- Sea Las Perlas
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Panama City
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.