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

Should you visit Osaka or Panama City?

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

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

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Osaka?

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

  • Osaka Prices
    Japan Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Osaka $104
    Panama City $102

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $104, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $102. 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 Osaka and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $45
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $90
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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 Osaka


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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Osaka $13
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $7.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $265
  • Private Transfer from Osaka to Wakayama,Shirahama&Kushimoto Area: $259
  • Private Transfer from Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX: $258
  • Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $256
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $254
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Maizuru Port: $245
  • Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $240
  • Osaka Port Cruise Terminal Private Transfer to or from Kyoto city: $239
  • Private Transfer Between Kobe Port and Osaka Hotels: $238
  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Kyoto City Hotels: $230
  • Private Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $224
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $218

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • 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
  • Transfers: $37
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
  • 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 (PTY) to Playa Bonita (Westin and Dreams): $38
  • Transfer Panama City to Columbus Cruise Port: $50
  • Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port: $35
  • Transfer Hotel/Airport to Resorts in Playa - return or return: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Osaka 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
    Osaka $42
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $32
  • Osaka Food Tour: Customize Your Taste like an Osakan in Namba: $37
  • Japanese Breakfast Cooking in Osaka: $39
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $39
  • Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $49
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $49
  • Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $51
  • Osaka 2 Hour Local Street Food Tour in Dotonbori and Namba: $52
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $58
  • Osaka Handmade Udon, Tempura, Wagashi & Matcha Cooking Class: $62
  • Japanese Ramen and Gyoza Course Cooking Class at Niji Kai Bar: $65

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    $8.27

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 City Market Food Tour & Lunch by Paradox Experience: $50
  • Panamanian Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Osaka $20
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $29

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $49
  • 10 Hours Private City Tour in Osaka - Chartered Tour: $174
  • 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $26
  • 2-Day Bus Tour to Shirakawago & Hida No Sato Winter Illumination: $226
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $71
  • 4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $155
  • 5 Hours Tour with Private Vehicle in Osaka: $259
  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • 90 min Shared Handmade Udon Experience: $52
  • A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $82
  • Allure of Osaka Walking Day Tour with a local guide: $49

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 Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
  • 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
  • 4 Hours Private Tour in Panama City Highlights: $70
  • 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
  • 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $11
    Panama City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
  • Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $42
  • 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
  • Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $84


When comparing the travel costs between Osaka and Panama City, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Osaka is in Asia and Panama City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Osaka or Panama City?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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.