Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Seoul?
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 Seoul or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Panama City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Panama City?
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $119Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $119, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. 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 Seoul and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $50Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $100Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $14Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.34
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Short Taxi Ride$4.67
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Metro Ride$0.90
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Seoul City Pass Plus$6.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Lotte World Theme Park Private Transfer: $229
- Private Transfer from Seoul to Incheon Cruise Terminal(12 pax): $190
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport (1-12pax): $164
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $157
- Private transfer from Seoul hotel to Seoul Station and so on: $132
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $130
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport → Hotel in the City: $125
- Lotte World 1Day Pass+Obesrvatoy+Private round transfer(Seoul): $115
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Gimpo Airport GMP Private Transfer To From Seoul Hotels: $108
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Transfer to or from the airport / Min 2 pax: $20
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Downtown Panama City, Panama: $23
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from Downtown Panama City to PTY Airport: $24
- Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
- Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
- Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Seoul 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 daySeoul $48Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.00
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Waffle$0.67
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Dippin' Dots$1.33
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.67
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Chicken Stick$1.33
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.27
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Lunch Buffet$4.00
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Donut$0.67
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Mushroom Burger$3.47
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.20
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Udon & Sushi$4.67
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Fresh Burger$3.20
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.00
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.34
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Fried Rice$3.67
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.34
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.34
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Donut$1.67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- EG Tour Gimpo Peace and Food Tour: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Explore Seoul's Flavors on Group Cooking Class Adventure: $63
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $69
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$8.24
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:
- Italian-Panamanian Ravioli Cooking Class + meal in Panama City: $44
- Panama City Market Food Tour & Lunch by Paradox Experience: $50
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $24Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.34
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Movie Ticket$5.34
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Kimchi Museum$2.00
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- (Private tour) Nami Island + Railbike + Garden of morning calm: $260
- (Private tour) Seoul highlights; Gangnam and beyond Tour: $300
- (Small Group) Art and Architecture tour of Seoul: $121
- 2-Hour Private Kayaking and Paddleboarding Experience in Hanriver: $30
- 2026 BTS Army Fan Day Tour from Seoul (Follow K-Pop Footsteps): $72
- 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best: DMZ Tour from Seoul: $45
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $30
- 365-day DMZ Tour : Signature or Special Flex-Itinerary Edition: $59
- Afternoon Half Day Seoul City Tour, visit Queen's dorm: $50
- All Day Private Make your own plan tour to Nami Island and others: $270
- All Inclusive Korean Drinking Culture Experience with Korean BBQ: $99
- All inclusive Seoul Highlight Tour optional Hanbok Rental: $68
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Casco Viejo a Panama's Hidden Treasures Walking Tour: $18
- Sunset Bike Tour/ Cinta Costera Casco Viejo by Paradox Experience: $22
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
- Experience of Salsa in Panama: $25
- Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- City Tour guiado en Panamá con Canal y Casco Antiguo: $35
- Panama Viejo UNESCO Ruins Tour | The Original Panama City: $35
- Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
- Panama City : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $11Panama City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Discover Makgeolli: Inside Seoul's Hidden Urban Brewery: $10
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $44
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
- From Yeongdong Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Janggu: $91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Panama City, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Panama City?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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.