A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. Savannah for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Panama City or Savannah?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City or Savannah, 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.

Panama City

Panama City is a fun-filled, active, and cosmopolitan beach town. Panama City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Panama City travel costs.

Savannah

Savannah is a charming, scenic, and historic city. Savannah is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Savannah travel costs.

Panama City and Savannah: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or Savannah?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Savannah. Although Panama City and Savannah are popular destinations, Savannah has more sights and attractions for tourists. Savannah is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Panama City attracts visitors for its music, resorts, and beaches. Panama City is more touristy than Savannah and is known for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. Savannah is famous for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. It is also well known for Forsyth Park.

How is Panama City different from Savannah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Savannah and Panama City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Panama City or Savannah?

Savannah is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Savannah can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's long history can be explored at the Savannah History Museum. With the Savannah School of Art and Design in town, you'll also find a great art culture with several museums such as the SCAD Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts. There's also the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Sea Maritime Museum. There are several historic houses that you can visit as well, such as the Andrew Low House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Harper Fowlkes House.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Panama City or Savannah? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Savannah is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Savannah. Local restaurants highlight southern hospitality as well as the cuisine. You'll find many classics such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and fried fish. There are many restaurants in historic buildings in the Historic District, but you'll also find a number of casual eateries in other neighborhoods.

Panama City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many waterfront restaurants that serve freshly caught seafood. Head to town for a charming atmosphere or grab a bite at a casual eatery. Fried seafood is popular when eating out but you'll also find plenty of options for land-lovers. Most restaurants also have kid-friendly menus.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Panama City or Savannah has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Panama City know how to have a good time. The nightlife is particular crazy during spring break, when the town fills with students. Head to the famous Club La Vela or Spinnaker for music and fun at night.

The nightlife in Savannah has something for everybody. Downtown Savannah and River Street are filled with bars and clubs that keep things lively when the sun goes down. During the warmer months there are outdoor venues, concerts and events, but even during the cooler seasons things stay busy.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Music?

Panama City is a popular place for live music. However, Savannah is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Panama City is active and vibrant. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

Savannah is not a live music destination.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a popular place for its resorts. However, Savannah is not a resort destination.

Panama City has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

Savannah is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Beaches?

Panama City is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Panama City is considered a top beach destination. With miles of long white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, this area's beaches offer a beautiful escape. Head to the area's state parks for the most natural experience. These include St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park. A day trip to Shell Island is also popular.

Many people head to Savannah to enjoy the beach. While Savannah doesn't actually have a beach, you can head to nearby Tybee Island for waves and sun. It's about half an hour away and the closest beaches to the city are on the island's north side.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is a great destination for its old town. However, Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Savannah to see the historical old town. There's an impressive Historic District that is filled with gardens, historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and Oak-lined streets. There are wonderful hotels and traditional restaurants that offer a beautiful experience.

Panama City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or Savannah?

Savannah is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Savannah is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping opportunities include art galleries, trendy clothing boutiques, and larger shopping malls. Visitors can wander down the popular Broughton Street, but there's also a City Market and Starland District.

Panama City has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

Is Panama City or Savannah More Beautiful?

Panama City and Savannah are somewhat similar when it comes to the nice scenery.

Panama City is a beautiful place to visit, too. With beautiful sand and blue water, Panama City is a beautiful spot for people who enjoy city beaches.

Savannah offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is filled with historic buildings and streets lined with trees draped in Spanish Moss.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Families?

Panama City is an amazing beach town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Panama City is a very family-friendly destination. This area has large sandy beaches, waterparks, amusement parks, and marine parks. Kids will enjoy playing around at WonderWorks, cooling off at Shipwreck Island Waterpark, and learning about marine life at Gulf World Marine Park. There are also many watersports and water activities that are fun for the whole family.

Savannah is a family-friendly beach town. There's a children's museum in town. There's also many outdoor parks and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kids will enjoy stopping for ice cream or other sweet treats, which are plentiful as well.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Couples?

Panama City and Savannah are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Panama City frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful beaches and romantic restaurants make for a great romantic getaway. This is the perfect place to take sunset walks along the beach and sample freshly caught local seafood.

Savannah is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Trees with Spanish Moss as well as a charming Historic District make this a nice destination for a couple's weekend. There are parks where you can enjoy a picnic. There are also nature trails and many great southern restaurants.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Savannah. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Students?

Panama City is a well-known place for students. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Panama City is a very popular beach town for students and younger travelers. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

Plenty of students visit Savannah. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Is Panama City or Savannah Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Panama City and Savannah.

Public transit is generally limited in Panama City. Most people need a car in Panama City but there is a trolley service that connects major tourist areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Savannah. While there are some types of public transit available, the vast majority of visitors have a vehicle, which they use to get around.

Is Panama City or Savannah a more walkable city?

Savannah is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Savannah is a very walkable city. The Historic District is very walkable, and it makes a pleasant place to explore on foot.

Panama City is not a very walkable beach town. There's often construction and the streets aren't designed for pedestrians.

For even more information, also check out Is Panama City Worth Visiting? and Is Savannah Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Savannah or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or Savannah?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Panama City and Savannah. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Panama City than in Savannah. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Panama City, and 1-3 days is enough time in Savannah.

Families should spend more time in Panama City than Savannah. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Panama City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Panama City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Savannah that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than Panama City if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Savannah.

One day in Panama City or Savannah?

The beach town of Panama City offers live music and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Panama City or Savannah?

Panama City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Savannah. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Panama City or Savannah?

Panama City is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Panama City, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The charming city of Savannah offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Panama City or Savannah?

Panama City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Panama City has to offer. This beach town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Savannah. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Savannah, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Savannah much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savannah would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savannah 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City than you might in Savannah.

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

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Savannah?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City and Savannah, 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.

When is the best time to visit Panama City or Savannah?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Panama City or Savannah in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Savannah. Many visitors come to Panama City in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Panama City is generally around the same temperature as Savannah. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 82°F (28°C), and Savannah fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah during summer. Panama City gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

Savannah receives a lot of rain in the summer. Panama City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Panama City usually receives less rain than Savannah. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Panama City or Savannah in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Savannah. Most visitors come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Savannah because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Savannah in the autumn. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Savannah fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Panama City this time of the year. In the autumn, Panama City often gets more sunshine than Savannah. Panama City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 223 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in October than Savannah. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Savannah in the Winter?

Both Savannah and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Panama City because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Savannah this time of year.

In the winter, Panama City is a little warmer than Savannah. Typically, the winter temperatures in Panama City in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Savannah averages at about 49°F (9°C).

Panama City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah during winter. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Panama City usually receives more rain than Savannah. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Panama City or Savannah in the Spring?

Both Savannah and Panama City during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Panama City is generally around the same temperature as Savannah. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 68°F (20°C), and Savannah fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

In Savannah, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Panama City. In the spring, Panama City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 275 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Savannah. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Savannah and Panama City