Which place is cheaper, Panama City 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 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Panama City?
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.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
-
Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $366Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $366, 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 Zurich and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $199Panama City $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $398Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $42Panama City $11
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:
- Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $474
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $447
- Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Lucerne.: $336
- Private transfer from Zurich to Basel, with sightseeing stops: $289
- Premium Private Transfer Zurich to Luzern or (Vice Versa): $288
- Private Transfer: Zurich or Airport ZRH to Basel by Luxury Van: $282
- Private Arrival Transfer: from Zurich Airport to Winterthur: $277
- Private Transfer from Winterthur to Zurich Airport: $277
- Private transfer from Zurich to Basel, 2h Sightseeing stop: $271
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zug: $269
- Private direct transfer from Zurich to Interlaken: $264
- Private driver, door-to-door transfer from Zurich to Bern: $248
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Riu Playa Blanca, The Buenaventura Golf, Rio hato: $8.00
- Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY): $13
- Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City: $15
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport (PTY): $15
- Private Transfer Airport PTY to/from Panama City: $17
- Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport: $19
- Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal: $20
- Transfer to or from the airport / Min 2 pax: $20
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport to Panama City or Beach: $20
- Panama: Private Transfer from Tocumen Airport: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City 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 $125Panama City $36
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.
- Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $177
- Taste Zurich – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $188
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.Zurich $42Panama City $66
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $109
- Afternoon Zurich Tour with Artisanal Chocolate and Rhine Falls: $165
- Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $102
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride: $83
- Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $77
- City e-bike tour: $50
- City tour Zurich milieu: $32
- City tour Zurich with the city whispers from CHF 21.00: $102
- Day tour to Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen: $220
- Eiger and Jungfrau Glacier Panorama Tour from Zurich: $197
- Engelberg Day Tour from Zurich with Lucerne Stop: $97
- Exclusive Chocolate Factory Tour with Tasting and Decoration: $300
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
- Panama City Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $27
- Casco Viejo a Panama's Hidden Treasures Walking Tour: $28
- City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $30
- Monkey and Sloth Jungle Habitat Panama Tour: $30
- Half-Day Tour to Miraflores Locks & Casco Viejo: $32
- POIN Panama City Climb Experience: $32
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $34Panama City $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Panama City, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe 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 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 Panama City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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.