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

Should you visit Lyon or Panama City?

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

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

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

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 from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Lyon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lyon is €155, 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 Lyon and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lyon 53
    Panama City 31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lyon 106
    Panama City 62
Compare Hotels in Lyon and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Lyon 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 Lyon


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: Lyon Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lyon 17
    Panama City 9.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

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


  • Funiculaire
    5.20
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Private Direct Transfer from Lyon to Geneva: $296
  • Reliables Airports Transfers to Les deux Alpes: $271
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Morzine/Avoriaz - Arrival Private Transfer: $268
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Les Deux/La Clusaz-Arrival Private Transfer: $231
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up): $191
  • Lyon Airport(LYS) to Aix-les-Bain - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $165
  • Premium Van Transfer for Groups in Lyon Airport: $165
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon city centre to Lyon (LYS) Airport: $142
  • Private Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $111
  • Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $111
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $111
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $111

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
  • Private Transfer to 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 Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
  • VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
  • Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
  • Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
  • Safe & Comfortable Panama Airport Transfer by Travel Hop Panamá: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Lyon or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Lyon 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
    Lyon 71
    Panama City 32
Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    1.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

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

  • Lyon Small-Group Full Meal Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $88
  • Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Tasting and Lunch Food Tour: $88
  • Food Tour by night: $100
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $105
  • Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $112
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with 5 Authentic Dishes & Fine Wine: $127
  • Food Tour Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Tastings: $141
  • Elegant 5-Course Rooftop Dinner with Panoramic Views of Lyon: $201
  • Croix Rousse Market & Rooftop Cooking Class in Lyon: $219
  • Lyon Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $224
  • Lyon : The Old Town Original Private Food Tour: $235
  • Private Food Tour Halles of Lyon Paul Bocuse: $236

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    7.25

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:

  • 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 (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lyon 20
    Panama City 58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    45

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $35
  • 2.5h Guided Bike Tour of Lyon Old Town with a Local Guide: $41
  • 2h - Electric Bike Tour of Lyon with a Local Guide: $41
  • 3 Hours Private Bike Tour in Lyon with a Guide: $192
  • 3h - Electric Bike Tour of Lyon with a Local Guide: $65
  • 4h Complete Lyon Experience: E-Bike, Food Tasting & Old Town Walk: $94
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $12
  • Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon: $170
  • Beaujolais Crus Wines & Castles (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $128
  • Beaujolais Crus Wines & Castles (9:00 am - 1:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $128
  • Beaujolais Wine Discovery - Private Tour - Half Day: $271
  • Beaujolais Wines & Castles - Private Tour - Half Day: $289

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • Sunset Bike Tour/ Cinta Costera Casco Viejo by Paradox Experience: $22
  • Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
  • 5-hour tour in Panama by a Local Guide: $29
  • Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
  • Private Walking Tour of Casco Antiguo: $30
  • Panama City Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
  • Bike tour in Old City and Cinta costera with local markets: $35
  • Panama Viejo UNESCO Ruins Tour | The Original Panama City: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lyon 24
    Panama City 16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    6.80
  • Bottle of Wine
    15

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lyon wine tasting and pétanque at the Tabareau Winery: $59
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $94
  • Lyon Private Wine Tasting Experience: $100
  • Beaujolais Wine Tasting Tour from Lyon: $117
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $117
  • Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $117
  • Lyon Wine Tasting: Small-Group Blind Tasting with a Sommelier: $117
  • Beaujolais wine tour from Lyon half day: $129
  • The Original Syrah Wine Tour (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $129
  • Northern Rhône Valley Wine tour from Lyon Half Day: $129
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $140
  • Lyon's Grooves & Grapes : Wine Tasting & Record Shops Tour: $153


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


Which is Bigger, Lyon or Panama City?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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.