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

Should you visit Naples or Panama City?

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

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

Naples

Naples is the most populous city in southern Italy. The city sits against the Bay of Naples, and is in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, which is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the communities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Naples has a wonderfully sunny, Mediterranean climate, some great beaches, and beautiful architecture. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because city officials have established strict building codes there is almost no condo style development along the coast. This helps Naples to maintain its authentic and historic atmosphere.

Many people love Naples for its history and authenticity, while others complain that it is noisy, crowded, and dirty. You can visibly see that the poverty in Southern Italy is higher than in the northern part of the country. Traffic is also chaotic, but what some travelers consider flaws, others see as benefits. Nobody can deny that Naples is truly an authentic Italian city. It has some of the country's best food and wine, the weather is ideal, and the prices are far cheaper than the northern regions. It has a large number of attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and there are some of the world's best ruins in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.

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


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Naples?

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

  • Naples Prices
    Italy Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Naples 158
    Panama City 87

The average daily cost (per person) in Naples is €158, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €87. 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 Naples and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Naples 66
    Panama City 30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Naples 132
    Panama City 60
Compare Hotels in Naples and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Naples 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 Naples


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: Naples Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Naples 21
    Panama City 9.20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Naples

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


  • Subway Ticket
    1.20
  • Alibus From Airport
    3.00
  • Short Taxi Ride
    7.34
  • Train to Pompeii
    3.20
  • Taxi
    15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Naples:

  • Transfers from the Beverello pier (Naples) to Fiumicino Aereoprto: $299
  • Private transfer from Naples to Amalfi or vice-versa: $295
  • Pompeii private small group tour - 4 hours including transfers: $295
  • Pompeii Tour from Naples with Private Transfer: $295
  • Private transfer from Naples Airport to Maiori: $295
  • Ischia Island: All Inclusive Private Transfer from Naples: $283
  • Transfer from Positano to Naples or Naples to Positano: $283
  • Private Transfer from Naples Central Station to Ravello: $283
  • Transfer from Naples to Maiori or Maiori to Naples: $282
  • private transfer Naples to Sorrento: $273
  • Transfer From Naples To Sorrento: $271
  • private transfer from Naples to Sorrento: $271

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Airport TRANSFER 1 way Tocumen Howard BLB Albrook Rio Hato Colon: $28
  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $75
  • Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $210
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Panama City Private Departure Transfer: $42
  • Guided Panama Canal & City Tour with Transfers: $70
  • Historic District and Canal Tour with Transfer: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Naples or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Naples 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
    Naples 69
    Panama City 31
Typical Food Prices in Naples

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Naples:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    28
  • Three Course Dinner (for Two)
    49
  • Napoli Pizza
    7.24
  • Dinner
    25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples

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

  • Pasta & Tiramisu Hands-on Cooking Class, Appetizer & Drink: $22
  • Naples' Ultimate Street Food Tour - Small Group by Do Eat Better: $28
  • Pizza and Beyond Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $35
  • Naples Pizza and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $42
  • Naples Street Food Tour with Foodie Guide around Historical Center: $45
  • Naples Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing with Local Expert: $45
  • Authentic Pizza Making Class in Naples with Appetizers and Drink: $46
  • Pizza and Gelato Making Class: $49
  • Eating Naples Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $50
  • Authentic Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert Guide: $50
  • Naples Food Tour with Local Guide and City Highlights: $50
  • Naples Street Food Tour: Discover Local Flavors with Expert Guide: $50

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    7.11

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 Food Tour Local Markets Immersion (Tasting tour + Lunch): $50
  • Unique Ravioli Fusion Cooking Class with lunch in Panama City: $55
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
  • Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
  • Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
  • Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Naples 30
    Panama City 57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Naples

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


  • Museo Archeologico Nazionale Entrance
    9.00
  • Castelnuovo Museum Entrance
    5.00
  • Entrance to Pompeii
    11

Tours and Activities in Naples

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

  • 2-Hour Island Boat Tour with Captain Franco: $50
  • 2-Hour Small Group Walking Tour in the Heart of Naples: $53
  • 2-Hours Skip-the-Line Tour in Herculaneum: $65
  • 2-hour Guided Tour of Ischia's Aragonese Castle: $51
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour: Best of Naples & Veiled Christ: $47
  • 5-Hour Royal Palace of Caserta Private Guided Tour by Train from Naples: $177
  • 6 Hours Naples City Centre and Underground Tour: $160
  • Amalfi Coast & Pompeii Deluxe Group Tour From Naples: $100
  • Amalfi Coast Experience from Naples: $147
  • Amalfi Coast Grand Tour: $81
  • Amalfi Coast Positano & Sorrento Signature Group Tour From Naples: $74
  • Amalfi Coast Relaxed Tour with Boat Option From Naples: $63

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $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
  • Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
  • Casco Viejo a Panama's Hidden Treasures Walking Tour: $28
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
  • Half-Day Tour to Miraflores Locks & Casco Viejo: $32
  • POIN Panama City Climb Experience: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Naples 21
    Panama City 16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Naples

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


  • Beer
    4.10
  • Beer
    4.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Naples

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

  • Ercolano Vineyards Guided Wine Tasting Experience with Brunch: $45
  • A Walking FOOD & WINE TOUR | Naples: $52
  • Wine Tasting Experience with Local Food Pairings in Naples: $53
  • Vesuvius Wine Tasting & Lunch: Vineyard Tour from Naples: $71
  • Wine Tasting - Tour and Tasting in Vesuvius Winemaker: $106
  • Pompeii Tour, Lunch and Vesuvius Wine Tasting: $136
  • Pompeii & Wine Tasting - Full Day Tour: $142
  • Pompeii with Wine Tasting and Lunch from Naples: $142
  • Winery Tour and Local Wine Tasting in Ischia: $142
  • Vesuvius tour with wine tasting and light lunch: $142
  • Pasta making private course with lunch and wine tasting: $153
  • Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius Wine Tasting and Lunch from Naples: $153


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


Which is Bigger, Naples or Panama City?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Naples 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.