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 Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) 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 $155
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Bergen is $155, 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 $80
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bergen $160
    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:

  • TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $269
  • TRANSFER, STANDARD, 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $221
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $211
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen City by Minibus: $207
  • Bergen Airport Transfer: $206
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $205
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $164
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by luxury minivan: $163
  • Departure Private Transfer from Bergen City to Bergen Airport BGO by Minivan: $149
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by Car: $144
  • Private Airport Transfer From Bergen Airport or Hotels in Bergen: $127
  • Private Transfer to/from Bergen Airport and City: $113

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $8.00
  • 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): $15
  • Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
  • Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $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
  • Panama: Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport: $23

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 $63
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen

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

  • Bergen Food Tour: $183
  • A Taste of Bergen Food Tour with Floibanen Funicular: $226

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • 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:

  • Panama Food Tour Local Markets Immersion (Tasting tour + Lunch): $50
  • Unique Ravioli Fusion Cooking Class with lunch in Panama City: $55
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
  • Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
  • Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
  • Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bergen $19
    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: $108
  • 3 hours Bergen City Group Tour By Car: $81
  • 3-Hour Private Norwegian Hiking Experience with Local Guide: $162
  • 3-Hour Private Tour Hiked through the Bergen Mountains: $165
  • Bergen Fjord Experience Aboard Viking-style Ship: $119
  • Bergen Mostraumen Fjord Cruise with Live Guide: $91
  • Bergen Private Walking Tour with a Local: $71
  • Bergen Troll Museum Entry Ticket: $27
  • Bergen Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $45
  • Bergen in Your Pocket: Landmarks and Lore Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Bergen to Flam "The King of Fjords" One-Way or Round-Trip Cruise Ticket: $211
  • Bergen's Twilight Magic: An Evening Adventure Walking tour: $167

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
  • Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
  • Casco Viejo a Panama's Hidden Treasures Walking Tour: $28
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
  • Half-Day Tour to Miraflores Locks & Casco Viejo: $32
  • POIN Panama City Climb Experience: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bergen $8.12
    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.