How long should I plan for a layover in Panama City?

The best layover in Panama City is 4–24 hours. This gives you enough time to reach the city, see the highlights, and return to the airport with buffer time.

Do I need a visa for a layover in Panama City?

Panama City is visa-free for US passport holders — no visa is required for a layover.

What should I do during a layover in Panama City?

Walk the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo's UNESCO-listed old quarter. Watch massive ships transit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal. Explore the biodiversity at BioMuseo designed by Frank Gehry.

Is Panama City a good layover city?

Panama City scores 72/100 on LayoverScore™. It is a solid layover option, especially if you have 4+ hours.

Echo Zhang · Pexels

PTY · Layover Guide

Panama City

Stop in Panama City.

Best layover: 4–24hcanalhistoryculture

LayoverScore™

Visa-free · US passport30 min to center

Transit map — Panama City airport to city center

30 min from airport to city center

Places to stay

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72LayoverScore™

Why Panama City scores 72

Airport qualityLounges, facilities, routing

DiscoverThings to do in the city

EaseTransit ease, visa access

min to center

metro

01Metro Line 2 (35 min to city center, $0.35)
02Taxi (25-40 min, $30-35 flat rate)
03Uber (25-40 min, $15-25)

102 min by Metro 24 de Diciembre-Buena Vista

01Walk the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo's UNESCO-listed old quarter
02Watch massive ships transit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal
03Explore the biodiversity at BioMuseo designed by Frank Gehry
04Sample ceviche and patacones at Mercado de Mariscos fish market
05Take in skyline views from the Cinta Costera waterfront promenade

Experiences in Panama City

See all

Bunz Bite~60 min1 min walk
Arepa de Choclo El Paisa~60 min1 min walk
Vista Corona Tocumen~75 min1 min walk
Coyote 507~75 min1 min walk
Monument of General Tomás Herrera~90 min1 min walk
Brand Experience Center~90 min1 min walk

Parque Omar4.7
Old Panama4.6
Plaza 5 de mayo4.2
Metropolitan Natural Park4.6
Panama Canal Museum4.6

Need a room for your layover? Browse hotels near the airport.

Where to stay →

Jan

26°

Feb

27°

Mar

27°

Apr

27°

May

27°

Jun

26°

Jul

26°

Aug

26°

Sep

26°

Oct

26°

Nov

26°

Dec

26°

Sunshine hours

Rainfall

Drop your luggage. Don't drag it around the city.

Tocumen Airport Left Luggage

Terminal 2, arrivals level

$8/bag

5 min walk

Riande Aeropuerto Hotel & Casino

Adjacent to airport

$45/day

3 min walk

At the airport

8 loungesHotels from $55/night

01Copa Club lounges with showers and local cuisine
02Duty-free shopping with Panamanian coffee and rum
03Rainforest-themed terminal architecture
04Multiple food courts with local options like Niko's Café

Planning guides

How to plan a long layover How to save money with layovers Best layover cities ranked

From our guides

Panama City PTY: The Hub That Connects the Americas

Copa Airlines made Panama City the transfer capital of Latin America. Turns out Casco Viejo is worth the detour. No visa for Americans.

4 min read

Routes through Panama City

New York to São Paulo via Panama City →Los Angeles to Lima via Panama City →Seattle to Lima via Panama City →San Francisco to São Paulo via Panama City →Miami to Panama City via Panama City →New York to Lima via Panama City →

Compare Panama City

PTY vs BOG →PTY vs LIM →PTY vs GRU →

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