Transfer Options from Panama Airport to City Centre

The sprawling Panama City is the epicentre of nightlife, world-class restaurants and casinos for the country. Known for its impressive Panama Canal, this city also has some other amazing sites, such as the stunning colonial architecture of Old Panama, Casco Viejo; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and ‘The Vaults’; a beautiful waterfront promenade.

There are three different ways to get from Panama airport to Panama City; taxi, bus or metro. Taking a taxi from Panama City airport to downtown is the quickest way to travel, with a journey time of just 25 minutes and a set cost of $30 (€28). Taking the metro is the cheapest option, as it costs just $0.60 (€0.50) per traveller, but it’s also the slowest transfer option as it isn’t direct, with a journey time of 1 hour. Your final option is the bus, which takes 50 minutes to get from Panama airport to the city and costs $1.25 (€1.20) one-way.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Panama City at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€22	25min	24/7
Taxi	€28	25min	24/7
Bus	€2.40	50min	05:30–00:00
Metro	€1	60min	24/7

How to get a taxi from Panama City Airport to Downtown

The only way to get directly from Panama airport to the city is by taking a taxi. The journey time in a taxi from Panama City airport to downtown is just 25 minutes and the cost is a set rate of $30 (€28) for up to 4 passengers.

How much is a taxi from Panama City Airport to Downtown?

The local drivers at Panama airport offer a fixed rate fare for the journey into the city centre. The cost for a taxi from Panama City airport to downtown is $30 (€28), which can be paid in cash to your driver.

Cost

$30 (€28)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are readily available 24/7 at Panama Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Panama Airport?

Taxis are located at an official rank just outside of the arrivals hall exit doors at Panama airport.

Convenience

As taking a taxi from Panama airport to the city is the only direct way to travel, it’s the most convenient. A taxi will take half the time of the public transport options, and your driver can drop you off directly at the door of your hotel, so there’s no need to drag any heavy luggage through the city.

Editor’s Note

To save on your journey from Panama airport to Panama City, you can split the cost of your taxi with a group of up to 4 passengers.

Useful Tips

Be sure to bring cash to pay for your taxi as the drivers don't accept card payments.

The set price of a Panama airport taxi includes up to 4 passengers.

There's no extra charge for luggage that fits in the trunk.

How to get from Panama Airport to the City by Bus

There’s an express bus that runs from Panama airport to Panama City every day. However, this bus doesn’t leave from outside the terminal. You will first need to walk 5-10 minutes to the main road outside the airport, then take the bus from there. The total journey time is around 50 minutes and the cost will be just $1.25 (€1.20).

How much is the bus from Panama Airport to Panama City?

The cost of a one-way journey on the bus from Panama airport to the city is $1.25 (€1.20). However, you must purchase a MetroBus or RapiPass, which costs $2 (€0.90) to be able to ride the bus. You can purchase these passes inside the airport and at all bus stations.

Cost

$1.25 (€1.20)

Trip Duration

50 Min.

*There's a waiting time of up to 30 minutes for the express bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The express bus runs from 05:30 to 24:00.

Where do I find the bus at Panama Airport?

Unfortunately, the express bus doesn’t run directly from Panama airport to the city. You will first have to walk around 5-10 minutes to the main Calle Aeropuerto/Avenida Domingo Diaz road. This walk is comfortable and safe as there’s a covered walkway from Terminal 1 to the bus stop.

Convenience

Although a cheap transfer option, taking the bus from Panama airport to the city isn’t the most convenient. The journey time is a long 50-minutes and you will need to walk with all your luggage for around 10 minutes to a bus stop on the main road. Plus, if you just missed a bus, you will have up to 30 minutes to wait for the next in the hot sun.

Editor’s Note

Ensure you purchase a RapiPass or MetroBus pass before you try to board the bus. You can't pay the driver on the bus for a ticket, so if you don't have a pass you may have to ask another passenger to use theirs and pay them the difference.

Useful Tips

There's no storage for luggage on the bus, try to travel light.

The bus fills quickly during peak travel times, try to arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the bus departs to queue for a seat.

There's no express bus stop at the airport, you will need to walk out to the main road to take the bus.

How to get from Panama Airport to Panama City by Metro

Unfortunately, there’s no direct metro train from Panama airport to the city. You will first need to take the local bus number E489 to the ZP Metro Pedregal station, where you can walk to the metro line. You will then take the metro in the direction of Panama City, with a line change at the San Miguelito metro station. The total journey time is around 1 hour and the total cost will be $0.60 (€0.50).

How much is the metro from Panama Airport to the city?

The cost of the E489 bus is $0.25 (€0.20) and the cost of the metro is $0.35 (€0.30). This brings the total journey cost from Panama airport to the city centre to $0.60 (€0.50). Having said this, you must purchase a MetroBus or RapiPass, which costs $2 (€0.90) to ride the bus and metro.

Cost

$0.60 (€0.50)

Trip Duration

50 Min.

There's a waiting time of 30 minutes for the E489 bus and 20 minutes for the metro.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The metro is available 24/7 and the E489 bus runs from 05:30 to 24:00.

Where do I find the metro at Panama Airport?

There’s no metro service from Pamana airport, you must first take the E489 to the ZP Metro Pedregal station, then take the metro from there.

Convenience

Taking the metro from Panama airport to Panama City is the least convenient way to travel. You will need to change from a bus to the metro and then change the metro line again at the San Miguelito metro station. This makes your journey long, tiresome and very difficult if you have luggage.

Timetables

Panama Metro

Editor’s Note

The MetroBus and RapiPass can be used for two people, so if you're travelling with someone, you only need to purchase one pass for you both.

Useful Tips

Be sure to travel light, there's no luggage storage space on the bus or metro.

The metro isn't direct, you will need to make a change at the San Miguelito metro station.

You can purchase your RapiPass at the airport or the train station.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Panama city. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€30.0

NIGHTTIME

€36.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Panama airport to the city?

There are three ways to get from Panama airport to the city; taxi, bus or metro. Taking a Panama airport taxi is the only direct option, with a journey time of 25 minutes and a set fare of $30 (€28). Taking the bus will cost just $1.25 (€1.20) but will take at least 50 minutes. The slowest and cheapest option is the metro, which takes 1 hour to get from Panama Airport to Panama City and costs $0.60 (€0.50) per traveller.

What's the cost of a taxi from Panama City airport to downtown?

The local drivers charge a set fare for the journey from Panama Airport to Panama City. You will be charged $30 (€28) to the city centre if you choose to take a taxi from outside the airport.

What's the distance from Panama airport to Panama city?

The distance from Panama airport to the city is 21 km. Taking a Panama airport taxi will take just 25 minutes to complete the journey, the bus will take 50 and the metro/bus combo will take around 1 hour to reach downtown.

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The best way to arrive in Panama City

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How to get a taxi from Panama City Airport to Downtown

How much is a taxi from Panama City Airport to Downtown?

Cost

$30 (€28)

Trip Duration

25 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are readily available 24/7 at Panama Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Panama Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Panama Airport to the City by Bus

How much is the bus from Panama Airport to Panama City?

Cost

$1.25 (€1.20)

Trip Duration

50 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The express bus runs from 05:30 to 24:00.

Where do I find the bus at Panama Airport?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Panama Airport to Panama City by Metro

How much is the metro from Panama Airport to the city?

Cost

$0.60 (€0.50)

Trip Duration

50 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The metro is available 24/7 and the E489 bus runs from 05:30 to 24:00.

Where do I find the metro at Panama Airport?

Convenience

Timetables

Panama Metro

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Panama airport to the city?

What's the cost of a taxi from Panama City airport to downtown?

What's the distance from Panama airport to Panama city?

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The best way to arrive in Panama City

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