Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Paris?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
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 Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
-
Paris Prices
France PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayParis €265Panama City €87
The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €265, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €87. 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 personParis €153Panama City €30
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomParis €306Panama City €60
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.
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 €21Panama City €9.19
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:
- Transfer from Paris to Airport: CDG, Orly, Beauvais: $297
- Private Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Reims / Champagne by Van: $293
- Charles De Gaule Airport Private Transfer: $293
- Private Airport Transfer Paris - Round Trip: $293
- Private Transfer from CDG Airport to Paris: $293
- Louvre Museum Paris Private Tour with Tickets and Transfers: $292
- Private transfer from Beauvais airport to Paris or back: $287
- Private Mercedes luxury transfer from PARIS to => DISNEYLAND Paris with Cab-Bel-Air: $287
- Panthéon Paris Private Guided Tour with Transfers: $286
- Private Direct Transfer From Paris to Reims: $281
- Private Transfer from Charles De Gaulle Airport to Disneyland: $281
- Private transfer to Reims or Epernay : one way OR 8 hours tour: $279
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $221
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $146
- Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Coronado/Gorgona - Arrival Transfer: $104
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport PTY to Playa Bonita/Gamboa: $82
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca - Private Transfer: $78
- Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
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 dayParis €72Panama City €31
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:
- Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $67
- Paris Seine River dinner cruise from Alexandre III bridge: $69
- Seine River Cruise and Dinner at Traditional Parisian Restaurant: $75
- Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $76
- Paris Food Tour: 10+ Tastings, French Wine, Cheeses & Secret Dish: $80
- Paris Food Tour: $81
- Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $84
- St Germain Food Tour with 10+ French Delicacies Tastings: $86
- Paris Guided Food Tour by Bike - Ile de la Cité and Marais: $92
- Montmartre Food Tour - Chocolate, Crepes, Pastries and More!: $92
- Seine River Gourmet Cruise Champagne Lunch or Dinner Service: $97
- Notre Dame and Latin Quarter Food Tour with 10 Authentic Tastings: $98
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
-
Sandwich€7.11
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
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Panama City by Night: Rooftop Skyline, Dinner & Folklore Show: $85
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Paris €76Panama City €57
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 & Exterior Notre Dame: $46
- Île de la Cité Private 2h Tour with Latin Quarter & Seine River: $195
- 1 Hour Private Photo Session experience with the Eiffel Tower: $111
- 1H Orsay Museum Express Small Group Guided Tour: $105
- 1h30 Private Guided Tour in a Pink Citroën 2CV: $116
- 1st Day in Paris Discovery Private Tour: 'How-to' Orientation & Sightseeing Fun!: $81
- 2 Hour Private Paris Tour in a French vintage car - Hidden Gems: $233
- 2 Hours Private Guided Tour in a Pink Citroën 2CV: $146
- 2 Hours Small Group Tour in Orsay Museum: $148
- 2-hour Walking Tour Through The Charms of Montmartre: $46
- 2.5 Hour Walking Tour of Père Lachaise Cemetery from Paris: $59
- 2H Discovery Tour of Paris in 2CV CITROEN: $151
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
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 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
- 5-hour tour in Panama by a Local Guide: $39
- 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65
- 5hrs Panama City and Canal Tour + Amenities: $65
- ALL INCLUSIVE San Blas Islands Day Tour on Sailboat: $240
- Afro Panamanian Buffet Drink and Dine Experience: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayParis €24Panama City €16
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:
- Paris City Center Guided Pub Crawl With Shots & Club Entry: $20
- The Original Pub Crawl + Free Shots + VIP Club Entry: $23
- Paris Pub Crawl : Bars with Club Entry and Shots: $29
- Paris Montmartre Cheese Charcuterie Wine Tasting with Audio Tour: $29
- Paris Guided Pub Crawl with Bars Shots and Club Entry: $32
- Visit and tasting at the distillery L'Alambic Parisien: $33
- Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
- Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $41
- Wine tasting Paris Saint Germain des Pres: $55
- Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $69
- Paris Wine Tasting & French Cheese Pairing with Sommelier: $70
- Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with a Local Cheesemonger: $81
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.
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.