Which place is cheaper, David or Zurich?
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 Zurich or David?
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 Zurich and David. 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: Zurich or David?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
-
Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesDavid Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $364David $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, while the average daily cost in David is $39. 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 Zurich and David in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $197David $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $394David $24
Compare Hotels in Zurich and David
Looking for a hotel in Zurich or David? 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $41David $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
-
City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- ZRH Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $42
- Zurich Airport ZRH Private Transfer to Zurich/Lucerne/Interlaken: $48
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $71
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $71
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
- Zurich to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Private Transfer : $80
- Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $80
- Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $84
- Private Transfer from Zurich Hotels to Zurich Airport: $86
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $99
- Zurich City to Zurich Airport one way Private Transfer : $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or David?
Prices for flights to both David and Zurich 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 dayZurich $124David $17
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
-
Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10 Local Delicacies with Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $41David $4.37
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
- Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
- Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
- Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
- The Dark Side of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
- Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
- Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
- Walking Tour with the Night Watchman: $19
- City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $34David -
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and David, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and David 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or David?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and David, 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.