Should you visit Palermo or Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Panama City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Palermo or Panama City?
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, 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 Palermo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €114, 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 Palermo and Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Palermo 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:
Palermo Hotel Prices and
Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
-
Bus to Monreale
€3.00
-
Bus From Airport
€6.00
-
90 Minute Bus Pass
€1.30
-
Short Taxi Ride
€4.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
-
Private transfer from Palermo Airport to Capo d'Orlando or vice versa:
$299
-
Private Transfer Catania Airport ⇄ Palermo Centre (Airport):
$279
-
Private Transfer from Palermo (PMO) Airport to Santa Flavia:
$201
-
Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$184
-
Transfer from Palermo Airport to Adler SPA Resort Siculiana:
$175
-
Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Golf Resort Sciacca:
$148
-
Private transfer from Palermo airport to Cefalù or vice versa:
$132
-
Transfer from Palermo Airport to Cefalu:
$127
-
Private Transfer from Palermo to the Airport:
$126
-
Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa:
$120
-
Private transfer from Palermo Airport to San Vito Lo Capo or vice versa:
$120
-
Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport:
$120
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
-
Private Departure Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY):
$13
-
Private transfer from airport to hotels in Panama City:
$15
-
Private Transfer from Panama City Airport (PTY):
$16
-
Private Transfer to Panama City Airport (PTY):
$16
-
One Way Private transfer Panama City PTY Airport to City:
$19
-
Private One-way Airport Transfer from Panamá to Tocumen Airport :
$19
-
Private One-way Airport Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panamá:
$19
-
Transfers from PTY Airport to Playa Bonita or Gamboa and Back:
$20
-
Transfer Airport - City / Min 2 pax:
$20
-
Private transfer Panama City - Fort Amador Cruise Terminal:
$20
-
Panama Private Airport/Port/Hotel Transfer Service:
$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City and Palermo 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
Palermo €51
Panama City €31
Typical Food Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
€32
-
Fast Food Lunch
€5.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
-
Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making:
$65
-
Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better:
$70
-
Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better:
$78
-
Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!:
$83
-
Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour:
$88
-
Cooking class in Palermo city center:
$114
-
Sicilian Cooking Class:
$117
-
Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù:
$118
-
Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs:
$118
-
Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef:
$118
-
Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta:
$123
-
Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view:
$138
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
-
Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
€6.00
-
Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
€12
-
Theater Tickets (for Two)
€49
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
-
Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo:
$146
-
Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private:
$44
-
Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo:
$166
-
Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour:
$36
-
ERICE and SEGESTA Private Exclusive Tour starts from Palermo with Guide Driver:
$299
-
Exclusive Boat Tour Along the Palermo Coast Baia Mondello:
$168
-
From Palermo Sicilian Retreat Erice & Marsala Tour with Lunch:
$166
-
From the Vineyards to the Chalice: A Unique Tasting Experience:
$251
-
Full Day City Tour in Palermo , Monreale and Mondello, from Palermo:
$299
-
Guided tour of the historic center Palermo:
$42
-
Half day Monreale and Catacombs tour:
$108
-
Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo:
$42
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
-
Archaeological Site. Admission ticket to Panama La Vieja:
$15
-
Spanish Experience in Panama City:
$25
-
Panama Casco Viejo: Walking Tour Must See Treasures!!!:
$25
-
Panama: Highlights Bike Tour in Casco Viejo & Cinta Costera:
$26
-
Panama : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide:
$27
-
Get to know the city aboard CitySightseeing Panama:
$29
-
Panama City Tour and Panama Canal – Miraflores Locks Experience:
$30
-
Causeway and Old Town Night Tour:
$30
-
City Sightseeing Panama City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$30
-
walking tour in Casco Antiguo !:
$30
-
City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$30
-
Guided Walking Tour in Panama City:
$32
Alcohol
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
-
Beer
€2.56
-
Bottle of Quality Wine
€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
-
Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo:
$269
-
Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala:
$275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Panama City, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Panama City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palermo 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo 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 Palermo Expensive? and Is Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Palermo or Panama City?
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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.
Related Articles for Palermo
Related Articles for Panama City