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

Should you visit Glasgow or Panama City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow 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: Glasgow or Panama City?

Glasgow

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.

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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Glasgow?

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

  • Glasgow Prices
    UK Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Glasgow £177
    Panama City £74

The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is £177, while the average daily cost in Panama City is £74. 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 Glasgow and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Glasgow £74
    Panama City £26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Glasgow £148
    Panama City £52
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Glasgow 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 Glasgow


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: Glasgow Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Glasgow £27
    Panama City £7.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow

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

  • Private Transfer: Heathrow to/from Glasgow University: $834
  • Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Cumnock Accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $296
  • Luxury Transfer Service | Glasgow to Gleneagles: $289
  • Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $284
  • Glasgow Executive Transfers Airport City Social: $243
  • Private Transfer from Glasgow City Hotels to Greenock Cruise Port: $217
  • Private Transfer from Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Greenock Port: $181
  • Glasgow Airport Transfers: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Luxury Car: $175
  • Private Airport Transfer from and to Glasgow: $169
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow City in Luxury Van: $151
  • Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow by Luxury Van: $151
  • Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) to Glasgow hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $225
  • Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
  • Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
  • San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $160
  • Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $155
  • Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $149
  • Transfer Hotel/Airport to Resorts in Playa - return or return: $125
  • Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Glasgow or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Glasgow 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
    Glasgow £78
    Panama City £26
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow

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


  • Dessert at Farmer's Market
    £1.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow

For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Glasgow West End Food Tour: 7 Tastings, Scotch & Local Stories: $134
  • Glasgow Food Tour: Taste and Discover Local Stories: $180

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    £6.05

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 Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • Street Food Tour Panama City (28+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Glasgow £22
    Panama City £48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow

For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)
    £12
  • Two Bike Rental
    £34

Tours and Activities in Glasgow

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

  • A Wee Walk and a Whisky: Unique Glasgow Walking Tour (5pm): $83
  • Celtic Park Tour & Dine Package: $70
  • Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour: Saturdays 10am: $28
  • City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $28
  • Culzean Castle & Burns Country Tour from Glasgow Incl Admission: $136
  • From Glens, West Coast & The Harry Potter Train Day Tour: $277
  • From Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness Day Tour: $87
  • GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour: $110
  • Ghouls and Gruesome Tales: A Self-Guided Glasgow Ghost Tour: $8.99
  • Glasgow Botanic Gardens Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $35
  • Glasgow Cathedral Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $35
  • Glasgow City Bike Tour and Craft Beer Experience: $97

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included: $70
  • "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
  • 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
  • 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
  • 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
  • 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
  • 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
  • 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
  • 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
  • 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130
  • 5-hour tour in Panama by a Local Guide: $39
  • 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Glasgow £15
    Panama City £13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:


  • Bottle of Wine
    £12
  • Ciders at Kilted Skirlie
    £3.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:

  • Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow: $137


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


Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Panama City?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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.