Which place is cheaper, San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or San Francisco?
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.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesSan Francisco Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101San Francisco $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Panama City and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11San Francisco $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2 Days 1 Night Tour in Panama : Hotel and Transfers: $278
- Transfer Airport or Hotel To Playa Venao Panama or vice versa: $260
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Private Transfer from Panama City Hotels to Colón Cruise Port: $158
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $150
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Panama Airport (PTY) - Playa Blanca : $142
- Private Transfer Hotel or Airport to Resorts in Playa Blanca. One way: $125
- Transfer from Panama Airport to Colon Cruise Terminal: $110
- Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Coronado/Gorgona - Arrival Transfer: $107
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $270
- Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $245
- Departure Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport by Luxury Sedan: $245
- San Francisco to San José Airport (SJC) - Departure Private Transfer: $226
- Private Luxury Transfer Tour : $200
- Private Airport Transfer From San Francisco Union Square To SFO: $180
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in S. Francisco (hotel OR airport pick-up): $168
- Private Transfer from San Francisco (SFO) Airport to San Francisco City: $168
- San Francisco to/from Yosemite National Park: 1-Way Transfer: $159
- Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Luxury SUV: $155
- Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO by Luxury SUV/Van: $155
- San Francisco Airport 1-Way Transfer to and from the San Francisco: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $36San Francisco $79
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$8.24
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 Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
- San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $95
- Exclusive North Beach Food Tour in San Francisco: $115
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise: $126
- San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66San Francisco $31
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Horseback riding and Agri-Tour in Colon Private tour: $75
- Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
- Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo Tour: $115
- Panama a quick and memorable tour: $68
- San Blas Islands, 4-Island Tour All-Inclusive Welcome Cocktail: $149
- #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included : $70
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- “Panama at Your Rhythm: Private Tour with Canal, Old Town and More”: $67
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour " : $100
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- Electric Bike Tour De San Francisco: $100
- Explore San Francisco Napa Sacramento Oakland Black Exp Car Tour: $244
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day: $84
- North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor: $86
- Private Luxury Car Tour in San Francisco Hotel Kabuki: $99
- Small Group | 1 Day Tour Through Monterey From San Francisco: $205
- "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
- 2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- 2hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Marin Headlands GoCar Tour: $219
- 3HR Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park GoCar Tour: $229
- 90 Minute Daytime Tour Aboard Wine Therapy: $85
- A Sip and Paint Experience in San Francisco: $89
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18San Francisco $22
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
- Local Distillery Cocktail Class: Skyline Views and City History: $69
- From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
- 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120
- San Francisco Shore Excursion: Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour: $132
- Napa Valley Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour via San Francisco Ferry: $155
- Napa Valley and Sonoma Small Group Wine Tour from San Francisco: $168
- Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour & 24hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $169
- Small Group Napa and Sonoma Half-Day Wine Tour from San Francisco: $169
- Small Group: Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour- San Francisco: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or San Francisco?
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and San Francisco, 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.