Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Lisbon?
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 Lisbon or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or Panama City?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon €167Panama City €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €167, 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 Lisbon and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €63Panama City €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €126Panama City €62
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €25Panama City €9.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Algarve To Lisbon By 8 Seats Minibus: $658
- Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $640
- Private Transfer from Lisbon to Porto with WiFi on Board: $297
- Private Golf Experience with Coach, Transfers & Dining Concierge: $296
- Transfer to Coimbra from Lisbon: $294
- Private Car Transfer from Lisbon to Braga with 2 hours for sightseeing: $293
- Private Transfer Lisbon to Porto: $286
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to/from Porto: $285
- Private transfer from Lisbon to Lagos with 2 hours sightseeing: $280
- Horse Riding on the Beach with private transfer from Lisbon: $277
- Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to: Fátima / Nazaré / Alcobaça..: $274
- Transfer to Porto Covo from Lisbon: $265
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP transfers from the Airport to your Hotel in Panama: $32
- VIP Private Transfer: Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Panama City Hotels: $44
- Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
- Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $45
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
- Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or Back: $35
- Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
- Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port: $35
- Transfer Colon Cruise Port - Panama Airport: $90
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon €73Panama City €32
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Portuguese Wine & Pizza Cruise with Open Bar: $28
- Premium Sangria & Pizza Cruise with Open Bar: $28
- Lisbon Luxury Cozy Cruise with Drinks & Pizza: $30
- Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $30
- Lisbon Sunset Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $30
- Lisbon Sunset Cozy Boat Cruise with Open Bar & Pizza: $37
- Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $63
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $63
- Mesa de Frades Dinner in Lisbon Fado Show Portuguese Live Music: $69
- Award-Winning Guided Walking Food Tour with Local Drinks: $71
- Discover Fado with Concert and Dinner included: $74
- Vegan Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $78
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€7.24
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:
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show - All Inclusive Experience: $70
- Panama City by Night: Rooftop Skyline, Dinner & Folklore Show: $85
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Panama City €58
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Évora & Monsaraz: Alentejo Traditions Private Tour from Lisbon: $275
- Évora - Full day Private Guided tour from Lisbon by minivan: $249
- Évora Historical Private Tour: $149
- Évora Private Tour - Cork Factory Visit Included: $282
- Évora Tour: $172
- Évora and Alentejo Private Wine & Cork Tour From Lisbon: $228
- Évora and Megalithic Circuit 10H Private Tour From Lisbon/Cascais: $233
- Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $166
- Óbidos Christmas Charm -A Festive Walking Private Tour: $249
- Óbidos Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.72
- Óbidos historic village and Mafra Palace Private Tour: $132
- Óbidos, Nazaré & Fátima Tour in car or van: $229
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- "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
- 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
- 5 hour tour in Panama City: $35
- 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
- 5hrs Panama City and Canal Tour + Amenities: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Panama City €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $19
- Lisbon Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience Bars Games and Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $23
- Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $23
- Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $23
- Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
- Port Wine Tasting Experience in Lisbon: $29
- Small-Group Évora & Monsaraz Tour with Wine Tasting from Lisbon: $61
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Food Pairing: $74
- Wine Tasting with Cheeses Charcutaria and Bread Table: $74
- From Family Winery Tour, Historic Cellars & Wine Tasting: $74
- Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $76
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Panama City, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Panama City?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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.