A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bergen vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bergen or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bergen or Panama City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Bergen or Panama City?

Bergen

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and a major tourist destination due to its proximity and easy access to the fjords in West Norway. The nature that surrounds the city is stunning, and you can easily hop into the nearby countryside for some incredible hikes and outdoor adventures. The city itself is well known for its music and art scenes, making it a cultural haven in the country. There are many reasons to visit Bergen, not the least of which is the people that live there. Bergen is the most hilly city within Norway. It is surrounded by the Seven Mountains, which restrict development and keep the city contained. Situated in the far west of Norway, Bergen can be reached by a very scenic seven hour train ride from Oslo.

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 in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Bergen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Bergen Prices
    Norway Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Bergen $144
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Bergen is $144, 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 Bergen and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bergen $74
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bergen $148
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Bergen and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Bergen 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.

Hotels in Bergen


Hotels in Panama City


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: Bergen Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bergen $11
    Panama City $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bergen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:

  • Helicopter transfer Bergen - Rosendal: $4,438
  • Powerboat transfer Bergen - Bekkjarvik: $3,943
  • Helicopter transfer Bergen - Bekkjarvik: $3,943
  • From Private Transfer to Gudvangen: $494
  • From Private Transfer to Voss: $403
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $257
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $200
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $196
  • Private Transfer - Hotels & Cruise Ports - Airport 1-14 pax: $175
  • Private Transfer to Airport, City or Cruise Port: $171
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by luxury minivan: $161
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $156

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty : $12
  • Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
  • Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City: $15
  • Private Transfer from Panama City Airport (PTY): $16
  • Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $16
  • One Way Private transfer Panama City PTY Airport to City: $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport : $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
  • Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $20
  • Transfer Airport - City / Min 2 pax: $20
  • Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
  • Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Bergen or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Bergen 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bergen $58
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.

  • Ulriken Enjoy a 5-course dinner with panoramic views: $162
  • Bergen Food Tour: $174
  • Half Day Fishing and Outdoor Cooking in Bergen: $225
  • Guided Fishing Tour with Outdoor Cooking: $262

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • Sandwich
    $8.24

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:

  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
  • Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
  • Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
  • Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
  • Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
  • Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bergen $18
    Panama City $66

Tours and Activities in Bergen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:

  • 1 hour Tour for Herdla Walking: $103
  • 2 Hour Shared Walking Tour of Bergen: $3.57
  • 3-Hour Private Norwegian Hiking Experience with Local Guide: $145
  • 3-Hour Private Tour Hiked through the Bergen Mountains: $167
  • Audio Walking Tour in Bergen Famous Ghosts Location : $9.75
  • Bergen Day Tour to National Park Folgefonna and Glacier Lake: $225
  • Bergen Floibanen Funicular Ticket: $31
  • Bergen Magical Nature Tour | ViFlowExperience: $243
  • Bergen Mostraumen Fjord Cruise with Local Guide: $86
  • Bergen Private Walking Tour: $325
  • Bergen Private Walking Tour of Historic Sites: $256
  • Bergen Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Tour: $9.51

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Panama Casco Viejo: Walking Tour Must See Treasures!!!: $25
  • Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera: $26
  • Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $27
  • Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama: $29
  • Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
  • Causeway and Old Town Night Tour: $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • walking tour in Casco Antiguo !: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Guided Walking Tour in Panama City: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bergen $7.56
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bergen and Panama City, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bergen 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen 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 Bergen Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bergen or Panama City?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Bergen 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.