A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Varanasi vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varanasi 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 Varanasi 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: Varanasi or Panama City?

Varanasi

Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.

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 Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Varanasi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Varanasi Prices
    India Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Varanasi $31
    Panama City $102

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $102. 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 Varanasi and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $14
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $28
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi 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.

Hotels in Varanasi


Hotels in Panama City


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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.33
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.84
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
  • From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
  • Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
  • Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
  • Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
  • Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
  • Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
  • Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
  • Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty: $30
  • Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $45
  • Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $27
  • Transfers: $37
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels: $85
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
  • Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or Back: $32
  • Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
  • Transfer Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita (Westin and Dreams): $38
  • Transfer Panama City to Columbus Cruise Port: $50
  • Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port: $35
  • Transfer Hotel/Airport to Resorts in Playa - return or return: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Varanasi 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
    Varanasi $11
    Panama City $36
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $3.62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class with Sona: $29
  • Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
  • Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
  • Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • Sandwich
    $8.27

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 City Market Food Tour & Lunch by Paradox Experience: $50
  • Panamanian Ravioli Masterclass + Dinner in Panama City center: $55
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • Street Food Tour Panama City (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $95
  • 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $9.20
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.73

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
  • 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
  • 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
  • 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
  • 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
  • 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • "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 Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
  • 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
  • 2-Day San Blas Adventure from Panama City with WiFi: $260
  • 4 Hours Private Tour in Panama City Highlights: $70
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
  • 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
  • 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
  • 5 hours Whale Watching Experience from Panama City: $100
  • 5hour tour of Panama City and Panama Canal - Shared or Private: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $6.88
    Panama City $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Panama City, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Varanasi 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Varanasi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Panama City?

Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi 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.