Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Bruges?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bruges or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bruges and Panama City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bruges or Panama City?
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
-
Bruges Prices
Belgium PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBruges €161Panama City €87
The average daily cost (per person) in Bruges is €161, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €87. 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 Bruges and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBruges €59Panama City €30
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBruges €118Panama City €60
Compare Hotels in Bruges and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Bruges 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: Bruges Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bruges €17Panama City €9.20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
-
Five Day Bus Pass€15
-
Bike Rental for Day€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to The Hague: $289
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $259
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Brussels hotels: $242
- Private Transfer from Ostend Bruges Airport OST to Zeebrugge Port: $236
- Private transfer from Bruges to Brussels, 2h Stop in Ghent: $212
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Brussels: $152
- Private transfer from Bruges to Lille, English-speaking driver: $147
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotel - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $142
- Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) to Bruges- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels: $74
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $74
- Bruges hotel to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $223
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $223
- Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $210
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $147
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $147
Is it cheaper to fly into Bruges or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Bruges 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 dayBruges €89Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
-
Cup of Tea€2.00
-
Sandwich for Lunch€3.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small‑Group Food Tour: Eight Signature Tastings of Bruges: $123
- Bruges Food Tour : Beer, Chocolate, Waffles & Fries in German: $130
- Bruges Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $152
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour: $159
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $162
- Private Bruges Food Tour: 8 Tastings of Local Delicacies: $176
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
-
Sandwich€7.11
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.Bruges €15Panama City €57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Groeninge Museum Entrance€8.00
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- "Edges of Brugge" Photo Tour - 2hr open city tour & workshop: $94
- "Essential Brugge" Photo Tour - 3hr private city tour & workshop: $295
- "Hidden Brugge" Photo Tour - 2hr open city tour & workshop: $94
- "Shades of Brugge" Photo Tour - 3hr private city tour & workshop: $295
- 2-Hour Bruges Walking Tour with Chocolate Tasting: $3.53
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included: $3.54
- 6 Hour Bruges Shore Excursion from Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $80
- BRYGGJA ROMANTICA - 3 Hour Romantic Tour in Bruges: $53
- Best Bruges Cruise-Friendly Tour including Canal Boat Ride: $65
- Best Bruges Shore Excursion from Your Ship with Canal Cruise: $74
- Best Bruges Shore Excursion including Deluxe Canal Cruise: $78
- Best Cruise-Friendly Tour of Bruges including Leisure Time: $79
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
- 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
- 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 2 Nights in San Blas - Shared Cabin + Meals + Boat Tour: $179
- 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
- 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBruges €11Panama City €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Bruges
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bruges:
- Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery and Distillery Visit: $19
- Bruges Brewery & Distillery – Discover at Your Own Pace: $19
- Bruges Brewery & Distillery - Discover & Taste on your own pace: $33
- Bruges Brewery & Distillery - Discover the Spirits of Bruges: $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Panama City, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bruges 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bruges or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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.