Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Athens 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 Athens 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: Athens or Panama City?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Panama City €86
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Panama City is €86. 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 Athens and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Panama City €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Panama City €60
Compare Hotels in Athens and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Panama City €9.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $575
- Private Transfer From Athens To Meteora - Kalabaka: $300
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Kyllini Port/Hotels: $287
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Costa Navarino: $287
- Athens to Volos Private Transfer: $281
- Private Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Nafplio Cruise Port: $280
- Private Transfer from Athens/Piraeus to Corinth-Loutraki or vice versa: $275
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $274
- Athens Half Day Round Trip Multiple Destination Transfer: $273
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to NAFPLIO, up to 4 customers: $269
- Athens to Kalamata Private Transfer: $269
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to EPIDAVROS, up to 4 customers: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to BIKINI BEACH (for ages 18+) or Santa Clara: $300
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer from Panama City Hotels to Colón Cruise Port: $158
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Arrival Transfer Panama Tocumen Airport PTY to Panama by Sprinter: $152
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $149
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Panama Airport (PTY) - Playa Blanca : $142
- Private Transfer Hotel or Airport to Resorts in Playa Blanca. One way: $125
- Private Transfer Tocumen Airport - Linton Bay Marina: $90
- Luxury SUV Private Transfer Panama City to Panama PTY Airport: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Athens 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
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Food Meals for one dayAthens €64Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Athens Greek Wedding Party Dinner Show with Acropolis Views: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $51
- Cooking Class at Diamond Roof Garden: $66
- The Bizarre Food Tour of Athens: $78
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $81
- Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $82
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $82
- Traditional Cooking Classes incl. Drinks: $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $84
- Athens Evening Food Tour: $87
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich€7.03
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 Evening Food Tour: $60
- Street Food Tour in Panama City with 24 samples and secret drinks: $69
- Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Cooking Class in Panama City with 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
- Embera Village Cooking Class Experience in Chagres National Park: $125
- The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
- Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Panama City €56
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $161
- Apostle Paul's missionary journys in Athens Private Tour 4Hours: $157
- Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruise Passengers: $94
- Island Swimming Day Cruise—DJ, Lunch & Drinks incl.: $154
- Best Food Tasting Tour of Athens, taste 18+ iconic Greek foods! : $93
- Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplio Isthmus Canal Private Luxury Tour : $239
- Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio Full-Day V.R audio guided Tour: $28
- Olive Oil Tasting Farm Experience, Corinth Canal, Nafplio: $186
- Private Full Day Tour in Delphi: $219
- Private Luxury Tour: Athens Riviera & The Temple of Poseidon: $155
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $65
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $179
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- Canopy-ziplining Adventures in Anton Valley: $195
- Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
- Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
- Private tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal.: $70
- San Blas Islands, 4-Island Tour All-Inclusive Welcome Cocktail: $149
- Tour of the Historic Center of Panama and the Canal: $52
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- “Panama at Your Rhythm: Private Tour with Canal, Old Town and More”: $67
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 2 Hours Tour to Panama La Vieja for Groups: $170
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Panama City €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
- Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $17
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $19
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $19
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
- Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
- Greek food and wine tasting: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Panama City, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Panama City?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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.