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

Should you visit Zagreb or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zagreb and Panama City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zagreb or Panama City?

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

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 from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Zagreb?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is €89, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €87. 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 Zagreb and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zagreb 48
    Panama City 30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zagreb 96
    Panama City 60
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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 Zagreb


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.
    Zagreb 9.11
    Panama City 9.20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • From Private Transfer to Ljubljana and Lake Bled: $1,050
  • Private Split to Zagreb transfer with Plitvice lakes & Wine: $1,004
  • Zagreb to Rovinj: Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes Visit: $823
  • Private Transfer Tour from Zagreb - Split via Plitvice Lakes: $729
  • Budapest: Private transfer to Zagreb or Zagreb to Budapest: $553
  • Zagreb to Split: Personalized Transfer & Custom Day Trip!: $426
  • Private Transfer to Plitvice Lakes National Park: $408
  • From Sarajevo: 1-Way Transfer to Zagreb or opposite: $408
  • Zagreb to Rovinj private transfer or vice versa: $290
  • Private direct transfer from Zagreb to Rijeka with a local driver: $217
  • Zagreb Airport (ZAG) to Moravske Toplice - Round-Trip Transfer: $202
  • Transfer from Zagreb to Split with Entry Ticket to Plitvice Lakes: $196

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

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

  • Airport TRANSFER 1 way Tocumen Howard BLB Albrook Rio Hato Colon: $28
  • Airport To City Hotel transfer: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfer Panama PTY Airport to Playa Bonita: $84
  • PTY Tours & Airport transfers: $22
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $206
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Panama city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Private Transfer: $32
  • Panama Airport (PTY) to Playa Bonita/Gamboa - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
  • Panama City Private Departure Transfer: $42
  • Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service: $28
  • Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón - Arrival Private Transfer: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Zagreb 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
    Zagreb 29
    Panama City 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.

  • Zagreb Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $83
  • Zagreb Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $92
  • Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
  • Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac Market Visit: $156
  • PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
  • Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $199

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    7.11

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
  • 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
  • Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zagreb 12
    Panama City 57

Tours and Activities in Zagreb

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

  • (120min) Zagreb All Around Tour-all of the Lower town/Upper town: $89
  • 2 hour Private Walking Tour of Zagreb: $64
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Zagreb: $70
  • 4 Day Private Istria Tour from Explore & Enjoy: $1,657
  • Amazinga Entertainment Entry Ticket 3h: $38
  • Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour from Zagreb: $227
  • Best Of Zagreb Walking Tour: $64
  • Best of Zagreb Walking Tour: $105
  • Best of Zagreb! Private Walking Tour; Meet the greats -Sit & Meet: $104
  • Best of Zagreb! Self-guided Waking tour Sit&Meet Croatian greats!: $22
  • Best of 4-Hour Cycling Tour: $93
  • Big Zagreb Private Tour: $116

Tours and Activities in Panama City

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

  • Private Historic Tour of the Old Town: $25
  • Casco Viejo Walking Tour: History, Culture & Local Tasting: $25
  • Spanish Experience in Panama City: $25
  • Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
  • Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
  • Get to know the city on board CitySightseeing Panama (24 Hours): $30
  • City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
  • Panama City : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $35
  • Craft Your Own Rum: The Casa Barú Experience Casco Viejo: $35
  • Half-Day Casco Viejo The Real City Guided with a Local Touch Tour: $35
  • City Tour guiado en Panamá con Canal y Casco Antiguo: $35
  • Panama City Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zagreb 8.92
    Panama City 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb

Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $34
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
  • Private Zagreb Walking Tour and Wine Tasting From Zagreb: $109
  • WINE TASTING near Zagreb - drink and eat as much as you can!: $139
  • Japetić Viewpoint Hike & Plešivica Wine Tasting: $151
  • Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $175
  • From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $193
  • Plesivica Region Wine Tasting Half-day Tour: $259
  • Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $267
  • Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $290
  • From Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $292


When comparing the travel costs between Zagreb and Panama City, we can see that Zagreb 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 Zagreb is in Europe 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 Zagreb Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Panama City?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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.