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 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Osaka?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $86. 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 $14
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $7.84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Wakayama.: $424
  • Osaka Kyoto Transfer:10 hours English driver: $366
  • Osaka Kansai Int Airport (KIX): Transfer to Osaka hotels: $341
  • Osaka Private Transfer from Osaka central to Itami Airport (ITM): $276
  • KIX-OSAKA or OSAKA-KIX Airport Transfers (Max 9 Pax): $267
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $248
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $237
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $237
  • One-Way Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya Airport (ITM) to Toyama Cruise Port: $219
  • Osaka City: Private One-Way Transfers to/from Arima Onsen: $219
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $216

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $33
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY)- Panama City: $15
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Panama City - Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): $15
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Panamá Tocumen Airport to Playa Bonita: $48
  • Transfer in private minivan from Panama Tocumen Airport to Playa Bonita: $70
  • Transfer in private minivan from Panama Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca-Farallon: $160
  • Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
  • Transfer from PTY Airport or Panama City to Playa Blanca and Back: $77
  • Transfer from PTY Airport or Panama City to Cruise Terminal: $30
  • Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
  • Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City Hotels.: $25

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 $25
    Panama City $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $23
  • Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $26
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $27
  • Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $37
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $47
  • Nosatlgic Namba Osaka Street Food Tour.: $48
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $50
  • Home Cooking Class: $51
  • Homemade Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka: $51
  • Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $60
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $63
  • Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $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:

  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • Night Out Experience (360 Panoramic Views + Dinner Show): $80
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $85
  • The 'Real' Panamanian Private Food Tour: $200

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)
    $30

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
  • "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
  • 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼šCastle, temples and Ukiyoe: $139
  • 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $184
  • 2-Hour Kendo Experience with English Instructor In Osaka Japan: $120
  • 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $142
  • 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,634
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $33
  • 3-Hour Osaka Local food Hopping tour in Namba: $40
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $120
  • 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,453
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $73

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • #1 Walking Tour in Casco Viejo, Panama Canal Museum & Lunch : $77
  • "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour " : $100
  • 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
  • 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
  • 2 Hours Tour to Panama La Vieja for Groups: $170
  • 2 Hr Express Tour for Business Travellers & Airport Layovers: $75
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City: $270
  • 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
  • 3 Hours Private Photo Tour in Casco Antiguo: $90
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in Panama La Vieja: $45
  • 4-Hour Gatun Lake Boat Tour and Jungle Wildlife: $99
  • 5-Hour Tour to Miraflores Locks and Sloth Sanctuary: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $12
    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
  • Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Born & Raised Local Guide: $31
  • Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
  • Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $39
  • Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $40
  • 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $52


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.