Which place is cheaper, Washington 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 Washington?
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 Washington can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Panama City or Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Panama, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Panama City Prices
Panama PricesWashington Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPanama City $101Washington $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Panama City is $101, while the average daily cost in Washington is $226. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPanama City $35Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPanama City $70Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Panama City and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Panama City or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Panama City $11Washington $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $225
- Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $160
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $149
- Transfer Hotel/Airport to Resorts in Playa - return or return: $125
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) transfer Round trip: $300
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles or vice versa: $300
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to DCA Airport or vice versa: $280
- Nation’s Capital Guided Tours and Airport Transfers: $280
- Washington DC Black Car | Airport Transfers & Chauffeur Service: $270
- Washington Airport (IAD) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $260
- Black Car VIP Service in Washington DC with Airport Transfer: $250
- Private Transfer to or from Springfield VA and Dulles Airport: $240
- Private transfer to or form Vienna and Dulles International Airport: $230
- Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles International Airport: $225
- Private transfer to or from Vienna and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $225
- Departure Transfer: Washington to Airport IAD by Luxury Car: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Panama City or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $36Washington $66
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 Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $59
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
- DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $73
- Donuts, Lights & History: DC’s Holiday Walking Food Tour: $75
- Washington D.C : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $93
- Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- Washington DC: Food Tour with 6+ Locals Favorites Bites: $99
- City Cruises Washington DC: Buffet Dinner Cruise: $116
- Washington, DC: Downtown DC Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- City Cruises DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch/Dinner Cruise: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Panama City $66Washington $23
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
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
- 3 1/2 Hour Experience of Lake Gatun in Panama: $95
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
- 5-Hour Tour of Panama City, Panama from Tocumen Airport: $130
- 5-hour tour in Panama by a Local Guide: $39
- 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2 Hours Book Store Tour in Capitol Hill: $80
- 2 hours Mini Tour of Washington DC: $49
- 2-Day Niagara Falls Tour from D.C. w/ Overnight Falls Area: $49
- 2-Day Niagara Falls Tour from D.C. w/ Overnight in the Falls Area: $49
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour: $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 3-Hour Small Group Memorial Tour in Washington, D.C.: $59
- 4-Hour Guided Tour in Spanish to Discover Washington DC: $100
- African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket: $90
- Afternoon Mount Vernon and Alexandria Tour plus DC Night Tour: $158
- Air & Space Museum Small-Group (8) Tour with Reserved Entry: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPanama City $18Washington $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- App Guided Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Washington, DC: History Tour Pub Crawl: $49
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Panama City or Washington?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Washington, 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.