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

Should you visit Osaka or Panama City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Panama City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Osaka or Panama City?

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

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 Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, 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 Osaka?

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

  • Osaka Prices
    Japan Prices
    Panama City Prices
    Panama Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Osaka $110
    Panama City $101

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $110, 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 Osaka and Panama City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $48
    Panama City $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $96
    Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Panama City

Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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 Osaka


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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Panama City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Osaka $14
    Panama City $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)to Arima-Onsen Resorts-Arrival Transfer: $300
  • Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $259
  • Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $244
  • Private Transfer Between Kyoto and Kansai Airport KIX: $236
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
  • Airport Transfer!Hotel in center of Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX): $192
  • Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $184
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka hotels: $184
  • Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $179
  • Universal Studios Pass & Private Transfer: $161
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Maizuru Cruise Port: $155

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 Osaka or Panama City?

Prices for flights to both Panama City and Osaka 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
    Osaka $45
    Panama City $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $42
  • Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
  • Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $52
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $56
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $56
  • Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $56
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $63
  • 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $69
  • Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $69

Typical Food Prices in Panama City

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


  • Sandwich
    $8.24

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.
    Osaka $21
    Panama City $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $31

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
  • Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
  • Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $243
  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $75
  • 1 Day Takoyaki Making and Osaka Castle Walking Tour: $146
  • 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $165
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
  • 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $167
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $125
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75
  • A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $88

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
    Osaka $12
    Panama City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $38
  • Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $56


When comparing the travel costs between Osaka and Panama City, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Osaka is in Asia and Panama City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Osaka or Panama City?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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.