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.
Jump to 
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.
-
Osaka Prices
Japan PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $103Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $103, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. 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 personOsaka $44Panama City $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $88Panama 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.
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 $13Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
-
Subway$7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)to Arima-Onsen Resorts-Arrival Transfer: $296
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $274
- Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $262
- Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $257
- Private Transfer from Osaka to Wakayama,Shirahama&Kushimoto Area: $255
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $243
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $243
- Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $241
- Osaka Port Cruise Terminal Private Transfer to or from Kyoto city: $239
- Private Transfer Between Kobe Port and Osaka Hotels: $238
- Private Transfer Between Kobe Cruise Port and Shin-Osaka Station: $238
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Kyoto City Hotels: $230
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 hotels in Gamboa or Viceversa: $30
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
- 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
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 dayOsaka $42Panama 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:
- Osaka Gourmet EXPO 2025 WaiWai Enkai Dinner Plan: $19
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $32
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $38
- Osaka Food Tour: Namba Izakaya Crawl, Choose What You Eat: $41
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $42
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
- 1 Group Only Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu and Ramen Takoyaki: $45
- Kyoto Style Miso Soup and Chirashi Sushi Cooking Experience: $46
- Japanese Breakfast Cooking in Osaka: $48
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
-
Sandwich$8.24
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
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
- Street Food Tour Panama City (28+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $245
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $19Panama 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 from Osaka/Kyoto: $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: $224
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $115
- 4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $153
- 5 Hours Tour with Private Vehicle in Osaka: $255
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
- 90 min Shared Handmade Udon Experience: $51
- 90-Minute Kimono/Yukata Rental Experience in Osaka – Short Plan: $28
- A Mindful Cultural Dining Experience in Osaka: $184
- A One Day Tour of Kyoto’s Traditional Japanese Charm: $69
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included: $70
- "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
- 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4 Hours Private Tour in Panama City Highlights: $70
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
- 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130
- 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65
- 5hrs Panama City and Canal Tour + Amenities: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $11Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl/ 22 Tapas 7 Drinks: $5.76
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $41
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $83
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.