Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Panama City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Panama City?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Panama City
Panama City is the cosmopolitan capital city of the country of Panama. With a population of almost 900,000 and almost 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it's a very diverse city with expat residents from all over the world. You don't have to search far to find someone who speaks English, and many Panamanians are quite helpful and friendly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Abu Dhabi and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Panama City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $289
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $275
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- From 2 Dives for Certified Divers with transfer: $218
- From Scuba Dive and Snorkeling with BBQ, Transfer: $218
- Ferrari World with Fast Track Access , Meal Voucher and Transfer: $200
- Ferrari World, Yas and Warner Bros Word Tickets with Transfer: $200
- Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai Hotels Transfer: $199
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Business Car: $199
- Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque-Entry to the Masterpiece with Transfer: $195
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Transfer to Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks): $14
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $15
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport (PTY): $16
- Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $16
- Panama City Private Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport : $19
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $20
- Transfer Airport - City / Min 2 pax: $20
- One Way Private transfer Panama City PTY Airport to City: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Abu Dhabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $78Panama City $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai Marina Unique Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $39
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $79
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich$8.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City
For Panama City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Causeway: Bike & Panamanian Food Tour now with Audio Guide.: $49
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $85
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $115
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $200
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $252
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $251
- Yas island abu dhabi 1/2/3 park admission tickets : $105
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $149
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- 90 Minutes Cultural Camel Walking Tour Abu Dhabi: $52
- A Sharing Tour of Sunset at Sheikh Zayed Mosque Abu Dhabi: $112
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $34
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
- Walking tour in Casco Viejo with locals: $27
- Sunset Walking Tour at Casco Viejo El Chorrillo and the fish market: $30
- walking tour in Casco Antiguo !: $30
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama: $30
- POIN Swing Experience: $32
- Poin Glass Observation Deck Ticket with VR Tour: $32
- Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera: $33
- Walking tour through the Hidden treasures of Casco Viejo: $35
- Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Panama City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Panama City:
- Casco Antiguo Guided Bar Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Panama City, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Panama City is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Panama City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Panama City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Panama City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Panama City?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Panama City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.