Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Panama City?
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 Panama City or Koh Phi Phi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Koh Phi Phi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Panama, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101Koh Phi Phi $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi 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 Panama City and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Koh Phi Phi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Koh Phi Phi $94
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Koh Phi Phi? 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: Panama City Hotel Prices and Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Koh Phi Phi $7.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $216
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $216
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $203
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $203
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $143
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$16
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Longboat Taxi$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Phuket any hotel to Krabi Private transfer: $106
- Phuket Phi phi Maya Bay Khai Island Diving Transfer & Buffet: $85
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $68
- Krabi to Phi Phi Island Scenic Round Trip Ferry Transfer Service: $41
- Smooth Round Trip Ferry Transfer from Krabi to Phi Phi Island: $36
- Phi Phi Island to Phuket Speedboat Transfer: $30
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Panama City 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 dayPanama City $36Koh Phi Phi $21
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$8.26
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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.78
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Sit Down Lunch$10
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Casual Lunch$6.22
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Coconut Donut$0.30
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
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Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Koh Phi Phi $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
- 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
- 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 City Tour & Canal in Panama: $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 hour tour in Panama City: $35
- 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130
- 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$8.88
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $203
- Activities In & Around Phuket: Full Day Customizable Tour: $110
- Banana Beach Premium: Shared Tour: $131
- Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $47
- Experience Koh Phi Phi by Private Longtail Boat: $68
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $14
- From Phi Phi: Morning/Afternoon Phi Phi Island Tour Longtail Boat: $23
- Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $144
- Half-Day Phi Phi Tour with Maya Bay By Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $18
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $20
- Maya Bay Sunrise and Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour: $36
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Koh Phi Phi $6.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$15
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Banana Daiquiri$5.92
When comparing the travel costs between Panama City and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Panama City 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 Panama City is in Central America and Koh Phi Phi is in Asia, 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 Panama City Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Koh Phi Phi?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Koh Phi Phi, 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.