Should you visit Pisa or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Pisa 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: Pisa or Panama City?
Pisa
Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.
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 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Pisa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pisa is €239, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €86. 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 Pisa and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Pisa 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:
Pisa Hotel Prices and
Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pisa
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Florence: Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA):
$432
-
Pisa to Siena Transfer with Wine Tasting in San Gimignano & Lunch:
$277
-
Pisa Airport (PSA) to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$272
-
Private transfer from Pisa to Florence with 2h stop in Lucca:
$271
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lido di Camaiore:
$266
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lucca:
$263
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Pisa Airport to Florence Hotel:
$243
-
Departure Private Transfer from Pisa to La Spezia by Car or Van:
$223
-
Pisa to Florence Airport (FLR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$174
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Marina di Pisa:
$154
-
Pisa Airport to Florence Private Transfer:
$151
-
Private Transfer from Marina di Pisa to Pisa (PSA) Airport:
$145
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Pisa or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Pisa 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
Pisa €102
Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Pisa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa
For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner:
$59
-
Dining Experience at a local's Home in Carrara with Show Cooking:
$102
-
Ultimate Food Tour with Full Tuscan Meal with a Local:
$104
-
Pisa Private Cooking Class:
$107
-
Pisa’s Ultimate Food Tour: Full Tuscan Meal by Do Eat Better:
$112
-
Authentic Full dinner & Wine Experience with a Sommelier in Pisa:
$112
-
Dine & Enjoy a Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Pisa:
$119
-
Pisa Traditional Food Tour:
$143
-
Private Show Cooking and Social Dining Experience:
$152
-
Private Home-made Pasta Cooking Class:
$152
-
Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.:
$156
-
Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home:
$169
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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
-
Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal:
$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
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Pisa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
-
2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path:
$31
-
2-hour tour to Rocca della Verruca by E-bike:
$60
-
Adventure Park Il Pineto:
$36
-
Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket:
$59
-
Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local:
$107
-
Best of Small Group Tour with Admission Tickets:
$59
-
Carrara Marble Quarries Tour by Land Rover:
$90
-
Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Tour Adventure in a 4x4:
$90
-
Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa:
$203
-
Discover Tower Admission & Iconic Landmark Tour:
$181
-
E-bike guided tour. The surroundings of History, Nature, and Secret Glimpses:
$87
-
Excursions / Van Tours / Sightseeing:
$128
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
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Pisa
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing:
$41
-
Wine Tasting with Local Bites in Pisa near the Tower:
$46
-
Wine Tasting with Local Bites in Pisa near the Tower:
$47
-
Soiana: Vineyard & Cellar Tour with Wine Tasting near Pisa:
$52
-
Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower:
$85
-
Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket:
$88
-
From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting:
$98
-
Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa:
$107
-
Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!:
$108
-
Tuscan Wine Tour by van from Pisa:
$185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pisa and Panama City, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pisa 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa 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 Pisa Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pisa or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Pisa 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.
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