Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Santorini?
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 Santorini or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Panama City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Santorini or Panama City?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
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 Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Santorini Prices
Greece PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €250Panama City €88
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €88. 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 Santorini and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €118Panama City €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €236Panama City €60
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €35Panama City €9.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $5,960
- Santorini - Shore Excursion with Boat Transfer: $203
- Luxury Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open bar & Transfer: $167
- Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer: $143
- Luxury Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Lunch, BBQ, Drinks, Transfers: $137
- Roundtrip Transfers to Black Sand Beach from Your Santorini Hotel: $131
- Santorini Private transfer up to 8 persons: $131
- Santorini Sunset Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, drinks, transfer: $131
- Private Arrival Transfer From Santorini Port To All Destinations: $119
- Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers: $107
- Private Transfers from/to Santorini Port (Athinios) to/from Oia: $107
- Roundtrip transfer to Santo Winery from your hotel: $105
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Santorini 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 daySantorini €96Panama City €31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $72
- Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine: $95
- Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class: $101
- Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine: $107
- Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef: $129
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $131
- Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu: $131
- Santorini Flavors, a Cooking Class in a Dreamy Setting: $131
- Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $131
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner with Pick-up Option: $143
- Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $143
- Miss Anna Santorini Cooking Class: $155
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€7.13
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35Panama City €57
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- *AVOID CABLECAR*Santorini's PrivateLuxuryTours-6Hours-Local Guide: $238
- *{Santorini Island Highlights Group Tour with Local Guide }*: $77
- 2-hour Private Wooden E-Bike Tour in Emporio Castle, Santorini: $83
- 3 hours Panoramic Tour to Oia: $77
- 4 Hours Private Sightseeing Tour in Santorini: $155
- 4 hrs PRIVATE island tour and photos, Oia and Blue domes: $161
- 5 Hour Majestic Santorini Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $66
- 5 Hour Santorini Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $82
- 5-hour My Santorini Private Guided Tour: $191
- 6-Hour Private Best of Santorini Experience: $232
- ALL-INCLUSIVE: Santorini Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal & Drinks: $179
- ATV Heart of Santorini Tour: $182
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25Panama City €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer Tasting and Pairing Experience at Ftelos Brewery: $30
- Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience: $42
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $65
- Santorini Private Sightseeing Tour with Optional Wine Tasting: $66
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini: $92
- Santorini Wine & Village Experience–Megalochori &Wine Tasting(4h): $95
- Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $106
- Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum: $125
- Santorini Wine Tasting & Premium Lunch at Award-Winning Winery: $131
- Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia: $131
- Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour: $136
- Santorini Private Highlights Tour & Wine Tasting with local guide: $173
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Panama City, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Panama City?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.