Which place is cheaper, Orlando or Panama City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Panama City or Orlando?
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 Orlando can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Orlando?
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.
Orlando
Orlando is a haven for tourists from the entire United States and abroad. The most famous sight in Orlando, Walt Disney World, is not actually located in the city at all, but in nearby Lake Buena Vista. The area attracts over 50 million visitors a year and the city's sprawling development has created amenities and entertainment options for tourists of all ages.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $86Orlando $321
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $86, while the average daily cost in Orlando is $321. 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 Orlando in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Orlando $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Orlando $308
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Orlando
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Orlando? 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 Orlando Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Orlando $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Embera Indian Village Tour w/ Airport Transfer: $290
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): Private Transfer to Coronado: $271
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY): Transfer to Decameron hotels: $267
- Round trip transfer in private Car from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca-Farallon: $240
- Half-Day City & Canal Tour w/ Airport Transfer: $215
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts : $206
- Transfer in private minivan from Panama Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca-Farallon: $160
- Skip the Line: Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket with Transfer: $155
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Tocumen Airport in Playa Bonita: $140
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $137
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $137
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Orlando
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
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Parking$14
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Taxi Ride$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Orlando
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Ticket with MCO Airport Transfer: $375
- Private Transfer from Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport to Melbourne: $293
- Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Melbourne : $280
- Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Cocoa Beach: $278
- Private Transfer from The Villages to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $271
- Private Transfer from Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport to The Villages: $271
- Private Transfer from Four Corners to Port Canaveral: $270
- Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Port Canaveral: $262
- Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Lakeland: $259
- Private Transfer from Leesburg to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $259
- Private Transfer from Lakeland to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $258
- Orlando Airport (MCO) to Miami accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $256
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Orlando?
Prices for flights to both Orlando 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 $21Orlando $65
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$8.27
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
Typical Food Prices in Orlando
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
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Lunch for Two at Epcot$29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show: $38
- The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show in Orlando: $38
- Tastes of the World Food Tour in Winter Haven : $50
- Señor Frogs Lunch / Dinner Package: $50
- Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe with Live Music: $58
- Downtown Murder Mystery Walking Dinner Tour: $66
- Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show, Orlando: $69
- Polynesian Fire Luau with Dinner and Live Show: $75
- Pirates Dinner Adventure - Top Orlando Dinner Attraction: $78
- Teatro Martini Dinner Show in Orlando: $79
- Titanic First Class Dinner Gala Tickets (ORLANDO, FL): $84
- Food Tour of Local Orlando's Ivanhoe Village : $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Orlando $204
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Universal Studios for Two$110
Tours and Activities in Orlando
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
- 2 HR Interactive Walking Ghost Tour in Downtown Orlando: $77
- Everglades Airboat Tour near Orlando Florida: $89
- 1 Hour Everglades Airboat Tour Central Florida: $69
- 1 Hour Historical Wildlife Tour of The Famous Chain of Lakes: $27
- 16 mile Heli Tour Over Disney Spring, Epcot, Hollywood Studios: $86
- 16 miles Private Helicopter Day Tour over Fun Spot: $65
- 2 Hour Historical Wildlife Tour of the Chain of Lakes: $42
- 2 Hour Investigative Walking Ghost Tour of Downtown Orlando: $50
- 23 mile Heli Tour, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom &more: $127
- 23 miles Day Flight Heli Coaster Adventure Ride: $128
- 25 Minutes Adventure Rooms in Max Action Arena ICON Park: $12
- 3- or 4-Park Magic Ticket at Walt Disney World Resort: $284
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Orlando $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Orlando
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
- Orlando Virtual Bar Crawl & Scavenger Hunt: $12
- Orlando Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Orlando Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Pontoon Pub Crawl, 5 Lakeside Pubs and Restaurants Visit by Boat: $85
- Chef's Table and Wine Tasting Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Orlando, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Panama City is in Central America and Orlando is in North 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando 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 Panama City Expensive? and Is Orlando Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Orlando?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Orlando, 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.