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

Should you visit Luxor or Panama City?

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

Should I visit Luxor 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: Luxor or Panama City?

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, 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 Luxor?

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

  • Luxor Prices
    Egypt Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Luxor $33
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $33, 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 Luxor and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $11
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $22
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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 Luxor


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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $5.64
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • 3-Night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfers and Meals: $643
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Luxor to El Cairo: $299
  • Private Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $270
  • Private Transfer Luxor To El Gouna - Car And Minibus Options: $260
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Makadi - Car And Minibus Options: $260
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Sahl Hasheesh - Car & Minibus Options: $260
  • Private Car And Minibus Transfer Luxor City To Soma Bay: $253
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Hurghada City - Car And Minibus Options: $247
  • Shared Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $220
  • One-night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfer: $214
  • Luxor Airport (LXR) to El Queseir - Arrival Private Transfer : $195
  • One Way Private Transfer from Luxor to Aswan by Car: $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to City by Luxury SUV: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Panama City by SUV: $75
  • Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY Airport: $84
  • PTY Airport Transfer Service To Panama City: $25
  • Panamá Tocumen Airport Hotel or airbnb Transfer: $25
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $213
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $33
  • Guided Panama Canal & City Tour with Transfers: $70
  • Historic District and Canal Tour with Transfer: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Luxor 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
    Luxor $16
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Tourist market,local food tour,the gym and coffee in Luxor: $19
  • Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Lunch or Dinner: $21
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • 2 Hour Cooking Session with Family in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • Private Romantic Dinner with Fallucca Sail boat on the Nile Luxor: $70
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $78
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Cooking Class & Soulful Egyptian Farmer Experience in Luxor: $120

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:

  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Street Food Tour in Panama City with 24 samples and secret drinks: $69
  • 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
  • Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
  • 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.
    Luxor $10
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 5 Days Tour of Luxor and Aswan: $130
  • Adventure Hot Air Balloon Ride Tour in Luxor: $79
  • Balloon Tour and Sunset Felucca Ride in Luxor with Luxor Tour: $189
  • Day Private Tour to Karnak and Luxor Temples: $90
  • Day Tour of Luxor East & West Bank Temples and Tombs of Luxor: $140
  • Day Tour to Dendera and Abydos Temples from Luxor: $80
  • Day tour to Aswan from Luxo visit Edfu,Kom Ombo,Phila Temples & Aswan dam.: $276
  • Dendera and Abydos From Luxor Private full day tour: $90
  • Dendera and Abydos Temples Day Tour from Luxor with Lunch: $75
  • East and West Banks of Full Day Tour from Hurghada: $205
  • Evening Tour Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show: $71
  • Experience the Magic of a Luxor Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: $60

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • The Hull Experience Colonial Tour: $14
  • Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
  • Experience of Salsa in Panama: $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 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Sunset Walking Tour at Casco Viejo El Chorrillo and the fish market: $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $3.10
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa 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 Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Luxor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Panama City?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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.