Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Tokyo?
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 Tokyo or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo 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: Tokyo or Panama City?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
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 Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
-
Tokyo Prices
Japan PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $176Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $176, 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 Tokyo and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $74Panama City $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $148Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Panama City $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $805
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Hakone: $426
- Shuttle Van Tour Tokyo for 4 Hours or 6 Hours+Transfer Time: $368
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tachikawa City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $292
- Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo by Sedan Car: $286
- Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $286
- Private Airport Transfer: Hotel in Tokyo → Narita Airport (NRT): $284
- Tokyo 5-Hour Private Charter with NRT/HND Airport Transfer: $273
- Tokyo Departure Private Transfers from Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT: $269
- Airport Transfer: Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Luxury Van: $269
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: $223
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $223
- Private Transfer from Panama City or PTY Airport to Beach Resort: $220
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $210
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Panama Tocumen Airport(PTY) to Colón Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $147
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $147
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $62Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
-
Late Night Noodles$5.02
-
Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.02
-
Meal at Airport$6.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $22
- Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Matcha Making Tokyo Number One Cooking Class: $50
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
-
Sandwich$8.25
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
- Unique Ravioli Fusion Cooking Class with lunch in Panama City: $55
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
- Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $66Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- “Daikoku Car Meet Night Tour | JDM Experience in Tokyo”: $255
- "Enjoy Tokyo Tour" Harajuku Meiji-jingu & Delicious Sake Tasting: $64
- (Private tour)ShinjukuUnfiltered Secret bar restaurant Tour: $255
- 1 Day Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo: $189
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $146
- 1-Day Mt Fuji and Hakone Sightseeing trip from Tokyo: $338
- 1-Day Mt.Fuji Hiking Tour(Subashiri 5th to 7th) from Tokyo: $101
- 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour: $124
- 1-Hour Tokyo Tour in Lamborghini Huracan: $281
- 1-Hour Tokyo Tour in Tokyo Drift Mazda RX7: $281
- 100% PRIVATE Anime, Manga, Game & Pop Culture Tour in Akihabara: $99
- 10:30 local gathering and rafting tour half day (3 hours): $38
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
- 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
- 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 2 Nights in San Blas - Shared Cabin + Meals + Boat Tour: $179
- 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
- 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $32Panama City $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
-
Sake$3.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $89
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $102
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $109
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $121
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $131
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $147
- Private Tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk: $239
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Panama City, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Panama City?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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.