A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. Panama City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Frankfurt or Panama City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Panama City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Frankfurt or Panama City?

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the financial and business hub of Germany. It houses the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange, and often plays host to trade shows and business fairs. It has the country's most modern skyline and the largest airport. It is also a transportation hub for Germany with many important train lines passing through. The city itself is situated on the River Main. Some of the most important sights are along the river near Romer Square and include museums and monuments. This area pulls in millions of tourists every year. Although many sights are clustered in this area, it's important to head into more off the beaten path areas that can be enjoyable to explore. These areas offer glimpses into daily life in Frankfurt.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Panama City or Frankfurt?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Frankfurt Prices
    Germany Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Frankfurt 152
    Panama City 86

The average daily cost (per person) in Frankfurt is €152, 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 Frankfurt and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Frankfurt 58
    Panama City 30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Frankfurt 116
    Panama City 60
Compare Hotels in Frankfurt and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Frankfurt 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.

Hotels in Frankfurt


Hotels in Panama City


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: Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Frankfurt 25
    Panama City 9.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:


  • Car Rental
    50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt

Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Vienna: Private transfer Frankfurt to Vienna: $636
  • Transfer from Frankfurt Airport to Baden-Baden: $435
  • Frankfurt Highlights Private Car Tour with Airport Transfers: $420
  • Private transfer b/w Frankfurt to Heidelberg: $233
  • Private Transfer from Frankfurt City to Stuttgart City: $223
  • Private Transfer from Frankfurt airport to Heidelberg.: $199
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Wiesbaden Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $124
  • Private Airport Transfer : Frankfurt Airport to City Center: $93
  • Arrival Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Van: $88
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Van: $88
  • Airport Transfer: Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Van: $88
  • Private Transfer to/from Airport and City: $81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City

Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Travel in Comfort Airport Transfer Pty : $12
  • Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back: $20
  • Transfers from Airport to Panama City: $40
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to hotels in Gamboa or Viceversa: $30
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City Hotels : $25
  • Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
  • Transfer from Playa Bonita or Gamboa to PTY Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Panama City Hotel to Tocumen Airport: $23
  • Transfer from Panama Airport to Colon Cruise Terminal: $110
  • Transfer from PTY/Panama City to Cruise Terminal or to the Marina: $32
  • Transfer Tocumen International Airport - Playa Blanca, Rio Hato, Buena Ventura: $75
  • Transfer Panama City to Amador Cruise Port : $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Frankfurt or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Frankfurt 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 day
    Frankfurt 70
    Panama City 31
Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Soda
    2.00
  • Bagel Sandwich and Latte
    7.00
  • Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee
    6.00
  • Sandwich and Cola
    7.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • VEGAN FOOD TOUR TO 3-4 LOCAL FOODSPOTS: $88
  • Food Tour to 3-4 Local Food Spots: $88

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:


  • 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:

  • Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $60
  • Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
  • Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
  • E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Theater Live Show Admission: $75
  • 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
  • The Real Panamanian Private Food Tour through Panama City: $205
  • Street Food Tour in Panama with a Local Guide: $263

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Frankfurt 36
    Panama City 56

Tours and Activities in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Limburg an der Lahn Private Walking Tour: $36
  • 2-Hour Best of Frankfurt Walking Tour (English): $41
  • Bike Tour of Frankfurt Top Attractions & Nature with a Guide : $227
  • Culinary Frankfurt Walking Tour: $1,565
  • Explore Bird & Marine Wildlife private Boat Tour in English: $118
  • Franfurt Horror Tour: Terror of the White Spider: $22
  • Frankfurt - Mainz Premium Day Trip by Boat with Sightseeing & Wildlife, F&B: $118
  • Frankfurt - Old Town Historic Walking Tour: $435
  • Frankfurt - Private Shopping tour: $435
  • Frankfurt : Highlights & hidden Gems Private Walking Tour: $106
  • Frankfurt : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $56
  • Frankfurt Airport Pickup and 1 Hour City Sightseeing Tour: $115

Tours and Activities in Panama City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.

  • Gatun Lake Panamá Wildlife Adventure Guided Experience: $159
  • Horseback riding and Agri-Tour in Colon Private tour: $75
  • Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience: $30
  • Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo Tour: $115
  • Panama a quick and memorable tour: $68
  • San Blas Islands, 4-Island Tour All-Inclusive Welcome Cocktail: $149
  • #1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included : $70
  • “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
  • “Panama at Your Rhythm: Private Tour with Canal, Old Town and More”: $67
  • "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour " : $100
  • 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
  • 2 Days 1 Night San Blas Adventure in Pamana: $260

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Frankfurt 30
    Panama City 15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:


  • Becks Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:

  • Frankfurt am Main: Night Pub Crawl Shots and Party: $29
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $308
  • Private pub crawl with insider-guide & free shots: $317
  • Bachelor party Pub crawl & party for your bachelor party: $429
  • Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $915


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Panama City, we can see that Frankfurt is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Panama City?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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.