Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Rome?
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 Rome or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Panama City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rome or Panama City?
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Rome Prices
Italy PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome €207Panama City €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €207, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €89. 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 Rome and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome €90Panama City €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome €180Panama City €62
Compare Hotels in Rome and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Rome 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: Rome Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome €21Panama City €9.33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)€2.00
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Train to the Airport€15
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Taxi to Airport€45
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)€10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Transfer from Civitavecchia 4 people: $292
- Transfer services from airports to rome for up to 4 persons: $292
- Private transfer from Rome to S. Felice Circeo, Sabaudia or Terracina: $292
- Transfer from Rome Hotel to Civitavecchia Cruise Port and vice versa: $292
- Four Papal Basilicas Small Group Guided Tour with Transfer: $292
- Private transfer from Roma to Civitavecchia port: $291
- Transfers from Fiumicino/Rome to Civitavecchia: $286
- Private Luxury Transfer to the Famous Points of Rome center: $282
- Private Transfer Civitavecchia Port to/from Rome City & Airport: $280
- Private transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia Port - Round trip: $277
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Chianciano - Arrival Private Transfer: $274
- PreCruise Rome Tour Free Transfer to Ship in Port Civitavecchia: $270
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport TRANSFER 1 way Tocumen Howard BLB Albrook Rio Hato Colon: $28
- Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $75
- Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
- PTY Tours & Airport transfers - Giants V.I.P Tours: $22
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $208
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $33
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Panama City Private Departure Transfer: $42
- Panama One Way Transfer: Van from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $83
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Rome 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 dayRome €84Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€14
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches€2.99
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Cafe e doce€4.00
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Pizza (Fast Food)€2.65
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)€32
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Cheese and bread€10
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Espresso€2.00
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Dinner€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
- Pizza Cooking Class in Rome City Center with Drinks: $45
- Rome Food Tour: Tastings in the Jewish Ghetto & Campo de' Fiori: $46
- Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $46
- Rome Ultimate Food Tour Trastevere Tiber Island & Campo de' Fiori: $46
- Pasta Cooking Class in Rome - Fettuccine Class in Piazza Navona: $47
- Cooking Class in the Heart of Pizza and Tiramisu Making: $51
- Rome Street Food Tour Eat Like a Local: $51
- Tasty Trastevere Street Food Tour in Rome from Tiberine Island to Ponte Sisto: $53
- Rome Street Food Tour and Jewish Ghetto Area Guided Sightseeing: $53
- Jazz concert LIVE and dinner: $53
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€7.21
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:
- Panama Food Tour Local Markets Immersion (Tasting tour + Lunch): $50
- Italian-Panamanian Ravioli Cooking Class + meal in Panama City: $55
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rome €36Panama City €57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)€69
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)€33
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Roma Pass€30
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)€20
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Segway Tour€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1,5 H Ancient Rome Tour on a Golf Cart: $80
- 1,5H Gianicolo and Trastevere Tour on a Golf Cart: $88
- 1,5H Historical City Center Tour on a Golf Cart at Rome: $80
- 1-hour Private Photography Experience in Rome: $117
- 1h Colosseum Guided Tour + Roman Forum access: $69
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Rome's Enchanting Jewish Ghetto: $93
- 2h30 Tour of Rome Cathedral and Holy Stairs: $111
- 3 Hour Instagram Private Tour in Rome with Pickup: $175
- 3 Hours Private Photographic and Historical Tour in Rome: $117
- 3 Hours Rome Evening Walking Tour - Piazzas and Monuments: $40
- 3-Hour Colosseum Gladiator's Arena and Ancient Rome Tour: $140
- 3-Hours Artisanal Shopping Tour in Rome: $140
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Panama City Sunset Bike Tour (Cinta Costera & Casco Viejo): $22
- Private Historic Tour of the Old Town: $25
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
- Panama City Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
- Panama City Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Panama Viejo Ruins & Museum Tour – Guided Exploration: $35
- Craft Your Own Rum: The Casa Barú Experience Casco Viejo: $35
- Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRome €18Panama City €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine€6.50
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Pint of Beer€6.34
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Beer€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Cabaret and Burlesque Show at Rome: $35
- Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
- Rome's Ultimate Party aka the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl: $40
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $46
- Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $49
- Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide: $53
- EAT AND DRINK LIKE A LOCAL - Wine Tasting in Trastevere w/ Gelato: $53
- Guided Wine Tasting Experience in a Roman Vineyard: $57
- Dolce Vita Burlesque show: $58
- Rome Nightlife Party Tour Monti Bar Crawl and Local Drinks: $66
- Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $76
- Italy in a Glass - Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour in Rome: $82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and Panama City, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or Panama City?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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.