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

Should you visit Xi'an 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 Xi'an 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: Xi'an or Panama City?

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Xi'an?

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

  • Xi'an Prices
    China Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Xi'an $105
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $105, 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 Xi'an and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xi'an $61
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xi'an $122
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Xi'an 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 Xian


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: Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xi'an $12
    Panama City $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an: 5-Day Guided Tour with Meals and Transfers: $574
  • Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $300
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $254
  • From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $245
  • Xian Highlights Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $245
  • Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $229
  • Xi'an Layover: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum With Airport Transfer: $229
  • Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $225
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $216
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $214
  • Xian City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda Tour With Airport Transfer: $206
  • Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Pickup or Drop-off Transfer: $199

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • 2 Days 1 Night Tour in Panama : Hotel and Transfers: $278
  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to City by Luxury SUV: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Panama City by SUV: $75
  • Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
  • Luxury SUV Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY Airport: $84
  • One Way Private transfer Panama City PTY Airport to City: $19
  • Panamá Tocumen Airport Hotel or airbnb Transfer: $25
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $34
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $67
  • Guided Panama Canal & City Tour with Transfers: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Xi'an 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
    Xi'an $22
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Xi’an:City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
  • Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
  • Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
  • Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • Xi'an Homemade Food Cooking Dumplings / BIANGBIANGNoodles: $58
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • 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:

  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
  • Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
  • Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
  • Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
  • 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
  • Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
  • Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
  • Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xi'an $36
    Panama City $66

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $65
  • Private Half Day Tour to The Terracotta Warriors Museum: $88
  • 1 Day Beijing to Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Tour by Air: $779
  • 1 Day Private Tour to Terracotta Army & Huaqing Pool, No Shopping: $129
  • 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
  • 1 day Adventure Tour of Mount Hua in Xi'an: $85
  • 1 day Xi'an Culture and History Discovery Mini Group tour: $112
  • 1-Day Xi'an City Highlights and Hanyangling Museum Private Tour: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
  • 2 Day Private Terracotta Warriors and Mount Huashan Tour: $265
  • 2 Days Beijing Xian Private Tour by Bullet Trains with Hotel: $287
  • 2 Days Xian Customized Tour for Terracotta Warriors and More: $235

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja: $15
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Panama Casco Viejo: Walking Tour Must See Treasures!!!: $25
  • Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera: $26
  • Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $27
  • Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama: $29
  • Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
  • Causeway and Old Town Night Tour: $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • walking tour in Casco Antiguo !: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Guided Walking Tour in Panama City: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $7.34
    Panama City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29


When comparing the travel costs between Xi'an and Panama City, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Xi'an is in Asia and Panama City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Panama City?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an 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.