Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Barcelona?
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 Barcelona or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Barcelona and Panama City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Barcelona or Panama City?
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
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 Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Barcelona Prices
Spain PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBarcelona €179Panama City €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Barcelona is €179, 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 Barcelona and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBarcelona €92Panama City €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBarcelona €184Panama City €62
Compare Hotels in Barcelona and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Barcelona 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: Barcelona Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Barcelona €19Panama City €9.33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
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Airport Bus€5.00
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Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Private VIP Transfer Barcelona - Benidorm: $510
- Montserrat Half Day Private Guided Tour with Transfers: $291
- Barcelona Airport (BNC) to Palamós - Arrival Private Transfer: $286
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar/ Lloret de Mar: $280
- Transfer from Barcelona City to Girones City by Private Sedan: $280
- Private Arrival Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Sitges: $279
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Calella de Palafrugell: $274
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Figueres: $273
- Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Girona airport: $263
- Private Transfer From Barcelona To Tarragona With a 2 Hour Stop: $254
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to La Roca Shopping Village: $251
- La Roca Village: private Round-Trip Transfer: $250
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $14
- Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City: $15
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $19
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer to or from the airport / Min 2 pax: $20
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City or Beach: $20
- Private Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama City: $21
- PTY Tours & Airport transfers - Giants V.I.P Tours: $22
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Downtown Panama City, Panama: $23
- Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City Hotels: $25
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Old Town(Casco Viejo): $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Barcelona or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Barcelona 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 dayBarcelona €58Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
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Sandwich€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata€3.80
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Tapas on the beach€8.28
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Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $41
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $52
- Barcelona Food Tour: Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $56
- Top Awarded Flamenco Show Tablao Cordobes with dinner option: $56
- Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $63
- Barcelona Morning Tapas Crawl by Food Tour: $69
- Tapas Paella and Wine Cooking Class in Barcelona: $74
- Barcelona Boqueria Market e Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $74
- Evening Cruise with Dinner and Drinks in Barcelona: $75
- Gothic And El Born Food Tour with Tapas and Wine: $76
- Paella & Tapas Cooking Class with Sangria Making: $79
- Paella Cooking Class in Barcelona | Small Group, Cava & Wine: $81
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.Barcelona €33Panama City €57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
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Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
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Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- 'The Cathedral of the Sea' Walking Book Tour: $232
- "The Shadow of the Wind" Novel Walking Tour: $21
- (French)Barcelona Premium Pastry Tour: Over 100 Years of History: $115
- 1 Day Private Sailing Tour from Sitges: $111
- 1 hour Wakeboarding Adventure in Sitges for All Levels: $233
- 1,5 Hour sunset Tour on a Historical Boat with music DJ &, drinks: $57
- 100% Vegetarian Barcelona Tapas Tour in Gràcia (Full Meal): $95
- 2 Day Guided Private Tour Barcelona Experience Perfect Itinerary: $291
- 2 Wineries Small Group Tour with Free Hotel PickUp from Sitges: $128
- 2 hour French tour in the historic centre of Barcelona: $28
- 2 hour Shared Sailing Tour in Barcelona with Open Bar & Snacks: $52
- 2-Hour Private Photo Walking Tour: $116
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 dayBarcelona €17Panama City €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Barcelona: $15
- Barcelona Pub Crawl With Karaoke, Beach bars & VIP Club: $17
- Barcelona Pub Crawl Experience with VIP Nightclub Entry: $17
- Largest Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $17
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $17
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING -The Best Party tour & VIP Club Entry: $17
- Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting: $18
- Barcelona Pub Crawl and VIP Club Experience: $18
- Pub Crawl 4 nightclubs + skip-the-line entry: $18
- Barcelona Speakeasy Pub Crawl With Hidden Bars & Optional Tapas: $22
- Pub Crawl Barcelona by EVOLVE The BEST night experience: $23
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Barcelona and Panama City, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Panama City?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona 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.