Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Amsterdam?
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 Amsterdam or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Panama City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Amsterdam or Panama City?
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Amsterdam Prices
Netherlands PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam €211Panama City €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €211, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €89. 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 Amsterdam and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam €102Panama City €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam €204Panama City €62
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam 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: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam €20Panama City €9.33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram€3.20
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Renting a Bike€15
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One Hour Canal Cruise€10
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Single Day Transit Pass€2.60
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport€3.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- From Private Transfer to Efteling Theme Park: $465
- Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $337
- Amsterdam Keukenhof Gardens Round-Trip Transfer from Amsterdam: $292
- 1-23 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $292
- Private Transfer from Schiphol Airport AMS Airport to Giethoorn: $292
- Amsterdam to Rotterdam Transfer | Private Taxi Service: $291
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport - Amsterdam RoundTrip Private Transfer: $290
- Private transfer from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, 2h Stop in Haarlem: $280
- Private Transfer from Schiphol Airport AMS Airport to Giethoorn: $280
- Private Car Round-trip Transfer Amsterdam to Keukenhof Tulips: $263
- Round-Trip Transfer: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City by Luxury Car: $262
- Private transfer from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, 2h Stop in Delft: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport TRANSFER 1 way Tocumen Howard BLB Albrook Rio Hato Colon: $28
- Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $75
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
- PTY Tours & Airport transfers - Giants V.I.P Tours: $22
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $208
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $33
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Panama City Private Departure Transfer: $42
- Panama One Way Transfer: Van from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $83
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Amsterdam 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 dayAmsterdam €80Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea€6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Food Tour Amsterdam | Taste The Best of Dutch Flavors: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $37
- Romantic Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $49
- Self Guided Food Tour in De Pijp District of Amsterdam: $58
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
- 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $70
- Taste Your Way Around Amsterdam Food Tour: $75
- Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $88
- Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $90
- Dutch Food Tour with local guide: $92
- NEW Amsterdam Breakfast Food Tour with Stroopwafel Workshop: $93
- Dinner Canal Cruise 4-Courses Including Drinks: $104
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€7.21
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:
- Panama Food Tour Local Markets Immersion (Tasting tour + Lunch): $50
- Italian-Panamanian Ravioli Cooking Class + meal in Panama City: $55
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam €36Panama City €57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum€6.00
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House€17
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Iconic Canal Belt Cruise: $68
- 1 hour Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab: $117
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $175
- 2 Hours Amsterdam Private Walking Tour: $134
- 2 hour food tasting Tour in Amsterdam Group Tour: $105
- 2 hours Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab: $233
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $52
- 2.5 hours Amsterdam Pedicab Tour: $280
- 3h countryside tour on sidecar motorcycle: $233
- 420 Official Smoking Boat Tour in Amsterdam: $29
- 75 minute Blue Boat Company City Canal Cruise and Maritime Museum: $47
- 90 minute Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise: $30
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Panama City Sunset Bike Tour (Cinta Costera & Casco Viejo): $22
- Private Historic Tour of the Old Town: $25
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
- Panama City Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
- Panama City Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Panama Viejo Ruins & Museum Tour – Guided Exploration: $35
- Craft Your Own Rum: The Casa Barú Experience Casco Viejo: $35
- Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam €24Panama City €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $16
- Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $99
- Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Pub Tour including drink: $102
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Panama City, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Panama City?
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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.