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

Should you visit Marseille or Panama City?

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

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

Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France and is the largest Mediterranean port in the region. For visitors, Marseille offers an authentic glimpse at France. It has many colorful markets, natural beauty such as the Calanques with its large, beautiful cliffs, and the old harbor area, which offers a glimpse at the areas working class history.

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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Marseille?

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

  • Marseille Prices
    France Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Marseille 179
    Panama City 89

The average daily cost (per person) in Marseille is €179, 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 Marseille and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marseille 71
    Panama City 31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marseille 142
    Panama City 62
Compare Hotels in Marseille and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Marseille 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 Marseille


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: Marseille Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marseille 28
    Panama City 9.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

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

  • Private Transfer Between Marseille Airport and Nice Airport: $1,280
  • Transfer (MRS) Marseille ⟺ Arles Cruise Port: $302
  • TRANSFER ROUNDTRIP PORT TO CASSIS: $302
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Avignon: $295
  • Private Direct Transfer From Marseille to Nice: $294
  • Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Avignon: $289
  • Private Transfer from Marseille city hotels to Toulon Cruise Port: $288
  • Marseille Airport: VIP transfer to Baumaniere: $273
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Arles: $271
  • Private Transfer from Marseille to Provence Designer Outlet: $268
  • Private Transfer Marseille to Saint Tropez With 2h Stop in Toulon: $260
  • Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Arles: $259

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
  • 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 to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
  • Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
  • Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or Back: $32
  • Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
  • Transfer Tocumen Airport to Hotel Westin or Dreams Playa Bonita: $55
  • Transfer Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita (Westin and Dreams): $38
  • Transfer Panama City to Columbus Cruise Port: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Marseille 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
    Marseille 73
    Panama City 32
Typical Food Prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

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

  • Food Tour Marseille Local specialities only With a local: $81
  • Marseille Food Tour – Full Meal of Local Tastes by Do Eat Better: $87
  • Marseille Guided Food Tour with 10 Locals Favorites Tastings: $112
  • Aix-en-Provence 3-Hour Walking Food Tour: $128

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.
    Marseille 38
    Panama City 58

Tours and Activities in Marseille

For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Perfect Day of Discovery from the Cruise Port of Marseille: $79
  • Adventure route in Cassis - Via Corda Philémon: $88
  • Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $640
  • Aubagne Audio guided walking tour 1h00 and 18 audio comments: $6.94
  • Beautiful boat tour in the Calanques with swimming: $93
  • Calanques Panorama e-bike tour in Marseille - National Park: $81
  • Canyoning Tour from La Ciotat: $80
  • Cassis and Aix en Provence Sightseeing Tour from Marseille: $165
  • Château D’If Entry Ticket: $18
  • Climbing Tour in Cassis: $81
  • Deluxe Cruise Friendly Marseille Tour including Aix-en-Provence: $80
  • E-motorbike virtual guided tour in Marseille: $61

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
  • 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
  • 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $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 Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
  • 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
  • 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
  • 5 hours Whale Watching Experience from Panama City: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marseille 27
    Panama City 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

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

  • Express Wine Tasting Experience in the Heart of Marseille: $51
  • Tailored Wine Tasting Experience in a Top Wine Shop: $85
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $177
  • From Marseille Cruise Port : Avignon & Wine Tasting: $185
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $187
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $188
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $194
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $199
  • Bandol & Cassis Rosé Wine Tour from Marseille: $206
  • Avignon and Côtes du Rhône Wine Tasting Tour: $209
  • Half Day Shared Cassis Tour with Wine Tasting: $212
  • Cassis, Bandol, Le Castellet wine tour: Cliffs and Vineyards: $407


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


Which is Bigger, Marseille or Panama City?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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.