A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paris vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Paris or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Paris or Panama City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Paris or Panama City?

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Paris?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €232, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €80. 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 Paris and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paris 151
    Panama City 33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paris 302
    Panama City 66
Compare Hotels in Paris and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Paris 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.

Hotels in Paris


Hotels in Panama City


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: Paris Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paris 21
    Panama City 9.94
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    6.40
  • Train from Airport
    9.00
  • Metro tickets
    6.80
  • Train
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Versailles: Skip-the-Line Day Tour & Transfer from Paris: $2,583
  • Private Transfer to or from Toulouse: $1,399
  • From Le Havre/Honfleur: Private Transfer to Versailles: $1,398
  • Private Transfer to or from Lyon: $969
  • Private Transfer to or from Strasbourg: $969
  • From Le Havre to Paris or back: private one way transfer: $770
  • Transfer Giverny village house Claude Monet 3 pax: $419
  • Private Transfer from or to Beauvais Airport: $406
  • Charles De Gaule Airport Private Transfer: $274
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Round Trip Transfer to/from Paris: $273
  • Private Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Reims / Champagne by Van: $273
  • Private Transfer to or from Beauvais Airport: $269

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Paris 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Paris 41
    Panama City 19
Typical Food Prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    8.00
  • Breakfast
    7.00
  • Breakfast for 2
    30
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    86
  • Dinner
    57
  • Cheese
    13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
  • Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $52
  • Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $53
  • Seine Cruise Departure from Pont Alexandre III with Dinner Included: $64
  • Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $67
  • Eat, play, love Montmartre: 3H Walking Food Tour -Kids friendly-: $68
  • No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $68
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $68
  • 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
  • Le Marais Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $69

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • Sandwich
    7.69

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paris 77
    Panama City 61
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    18
  • Admission to Pantheon
    5.00
  • Catacombs (2)
    23

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Île de la Cité: Guided Tour + Sainte-Chapelle Fast Track Entry: $55
  • A Day at Parc Saint-Paul Ticket and Transport Included: $208
  • Day Tour- Normandy Omaha Beach - Cemetery - Cider Tasting: $260
  • Guided Tour to Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Chronicles: $54
  • Notre-Dame Walking Tour with Skip The Line Sainte-Chapelle Entry: $61
  • Paris Boat River Seine Cruise Sightseeing TICKETS: $22
  • Paris Christmas Market Tour: $297
  • Paris City Center Self-Guided Walking Tour : $11
  • Paris Entrance Ticket to the Aura Invalides Immersive Show: $24
  • Paris Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $267
  • Paris Sightseeing Tour with Seine River Cruise from Disneyland®: $94
  • Private Tour in Medieval Paris with Latin Quarter and Panthéon: $251

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paris 24
    Panama City 17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    14

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
  • Original Pub Crawl: $16
  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
  • Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
  • Paris Bar Crawl: $24
  • Paris Pub Crawl: $25
  • Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
  • Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in French: $32
  • Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
  • Guided Visit and Wine Tasting in a Royal Wine Cellar in Paris: $39
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43
  • Paris St Germain Wine Tasting: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Panama City, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paris or Panama City?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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.