Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Palermo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Palermo or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Panama City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Palermo or Panama City?
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Palermo Prices
Italy PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPalermo €114Panama City €90
The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €114, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €90. 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 Palermo and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPalermo €56Panama City €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPalermo €112Panama City €62
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Palermo 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: Palermo Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Palermo €5.64Panama City €9.40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
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Bus to Monreale€3.00
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Bus From Airport€6.00
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90 Minute Bus Pass€1.30
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Short Taxi Ride€4.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- From Panoramic Transfer to Monreale in CruiserCar: $406
- From Siracusa Transfer with Piazza Armerina Stop: $348
- Private Transfer DA Palermo to Trapani: $285
- Private Transfer DA Palermo to San Vito Lo Capo: $285
- Palermo DA transfer to Trapani Port or Vinceversa: $262
- Private Transfer Palermo Cefalu': $262
- Private airport transfer to Cefalù or Campofelice di Roccella: $204
- Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
- Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $143
- Private transfer in Sicily with Mercedes CLA 250e 2025: $137
- Private Transfer from Palermo to the Airport: $120
- Private transfer from Palermo Airport to San Vito Lo Capo or vice versa: $114
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $18
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $19
- VIP Transfer Panama: Playa Bonita, Panama City & Pacific Riviera: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City or Beach: $20
- Tocumen Airport to Hotel Transfer in Panama City: $22
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Private Airport Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Old Town(Casco Viejo): $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Palermo 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
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Food Meals for one dayPalermo €51Panama City €32
Typical Food Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€32
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Fast Food Lunch€5.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $47
- Palermo Ballaro Market & Street Food Tour by Eating Europe: $51
- Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group with a Local: $53
- Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with Market Tour or Pasta & Gelato: $55
- Walking Tour and street food Tour Palermo / History and Food: $57
- Palermo Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Meal and Wine: $57
- Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $64
- Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Flowing Wine: $64
- Palermo : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $69
- Pizza & Tiramisu Class with Free Flowing Fine Wine: $69
- Food Tour at the Vucciria Market – Palermo: $73
- Pasta and Gelato Making Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich€7.33
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
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show - All Inclusive Experience: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
- Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Palermo €17Panama City €58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
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Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)€6.00
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Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)€12
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Theater Tickets (for Two)€49
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- "Sun Life Surf: Excitement, fun, and surfing: the perfect experience!" ️.: $47
- All-inclusive yacht tour in the beautiful Bay of Mondello: $175
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $93
- Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour: $256
- Discover MtPellegrino with a PRIVATE Guided Bike Tour: $105
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $34
- Duca di Salaparuta Winery: Duke's Excellences Tour: $70
- Entrance ticket to the Radici Piccolo Museo Della Natura: $11
- Exclusive Boat Tour on the Palermo Coast Baia Mondello: $205
- From Cefalù: Palermo & Monreale Cathedral Tour: $70
- From Palermo Sicilian Retreat Erice and Marsala Tour with Lunch: $158
- From Archaeological Park Tour of Selinunte and Mazara del Vallo: $454
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- BEC Immersive Museum: Panama Through Your Senses Admission Ticket: $15
- Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
- Private Historic Tour of the Old Town: $15
- Panama Old Town Tour: Learn about our History and Culture: $22
- Sunset Bike Tour/ Cinta Costera Casco Viejo by Paradox Experience: $22
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
- Museum of Illusions Panama Admission Ticket: $26
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $26
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Panama City Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPalermo €11Panama City €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
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Beer€2.56
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Bottle of Quality Wine€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Guided Bar Crawl with Shots and Discounts on Drinks: $19
- Sicilian wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres in an 18th century palace: $42
- Sicilian Wine Tasting with Local Food in Palermo: $47
- Wine Tasting with Sicilian Tapas: $50
- Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $51
- Etna Experience - Wine tasting and food pairing: $58
- Sicily Experience - Wine tasting and food pairing: $58
- Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $64
- Eating Evening Food & Wine Tour: $99
- Palermo on a plate: Mamma's classics and Wine tour: $104
- Palermo on a plate: Traditional Food & Wine tour (All-Inclusive): $113
- Street Food and Wine Tour With an Architect: $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Panama City, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palermo 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo 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 Palermo Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Palermo or Panama City?
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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.