Panama
How to get to Panama: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Tocumen (PTY) for Panama City and the Canal; it is the only airport with long-haul flights. Use David (DAV) or Bocas del Toro (BOC) only if your trip starts in those regions. Land entry works from Costa Rica at Paso Canoas and Sixaola; never plan the Darién.
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- Field checked
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuidePanama
Key facts
- Main airportcheck
- Tocumen International (PTY), 24 km east of Panama City
- Regional airportscheck
- David (DAV), Bocas del Toro (BOC), Colón, Chitré, Pedasí
- Land borderscheck
- Costa Rica: Paso Canoas (Pan-American Hwy) and Sixaola (Caribbean side)
- Colombia border
- No road link; the Darién Gap is closed to travellers
- Entry rulecheck
- Passport valid 6 months; onward ticket and proof of funds may be asked
- Currency
- Balboa (PAB) = US$1; US notes with Panamanian coins
- Time zone
- UTC−5 all year, no daylight saving
Summary by airport, month and cost
Panama has one long-haul gateway and a handful of small airports that only make sense if your first stop is nearby. The table below is the quick version; details follow.
| Airport | Best for | Typical 2026 fare band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tocumen (PTY) | Panama City, Canal, onward flights | US$400–900 return from the US; US$700–1,200 from Europe | Only airport with direct flights from North America and Europe (check) |
| David (DAV) | Boquete, Pacific west | US$80–150 one-way from PTY | Small terminal; domestic and a few regional flights (check) |
| Bocas del Toro (BOC) | Bocas del Toro islands | US$100–180 one-way from PTY | Short runway; luggage limits apply (check) |
| Paso Canoas (land) | Costa Rica overland | US$20–40 bus from San José | Busiest land crossing; expect queues (check) |
| Sixaola (land) | Costa Rica to Bocas | US$10–20 bus from Puerto Viejo | Old bridge, walk across; slow but simple (check) |
Fares are 2026 estimates and move with season; January–April is peak.
Step by step
Decide your first region before you book. If it is Panama City, the Canal or Casco Viejo, fly to Tocumen. If it is Boquete or the Pacific west, you can still land at Tocumen and take a domestic hop or a bus, but flying into David saves a long transfer. If it is Bocas del Toro, the small airport there is the fastest option, though seats are limited and weather can cancel flights.
From Tocumen, the standard transfer to Panama City is a taxi or ride-hailing car, roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic; there is no metro or train to the airport. Some hotels run shuttles. If you are connecting to a domestic flight, Tocumen and the smaller Albrook airport are different places, so allow time to cross the city.
For land entry, the two practical crossings from Costa Rica are Paso Canoas on the Pan-American Highway and Sixaola on the Caribbean side. Paso Canoas is the busier and better organised; Sixaola is the usual route if you are heading to Bocas del Toro. Both involve immigration on each side, so keep your passport, onward ticket and a record of your accommodation handy.
There is no road route from Colombia. The Darién Gap has no highway and is not a travel route; fly between the two countries instead.
- Book long-haul into PTY; book domestic hops separately and early in peak season.
- Allow 3 hours between an international arrival and a domestic departure.
- At land borders, change money on the Panama side and keep small US notes.
- Do not book any overland route through the Darién.
Notes
Entry rules can change. Panama generally asks for a passport valid for at least six months, and officers may ask for an onward or return ticket and proof you can fund your stay. Check the current requirements before you fly, and check whether your nationality needs a visa.
Panama uses US dollars for notes, with Panamanian coins for small change, so you do not need to change money on arrival for everyday spending. Cards are widely accepted in cities; carry cash for islands, buses and small towns.
Domestic flights are the fastest way to reach Bocas del Toro and David, but they are small planes with strict baggage limits and cancellations in bad weather. Buses cover the same routes more slowly and cheaply. For the San Blas islands, access is by 4x4 from Panama City plus a boat, arranged through Guna-run operators.
| Route | Mode | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTY to Panama City centre | Taxi or ride-hailing | 30–45 min | US$30–40 |
| Panama City to David | Domestic flight | 1 h | US$80–150 |
| Panama City to David | Bus | 7–8 h | US$15–20 |
| Panama City to Bocas del Toro | Flight | 1 h | US$100–180 |
| Panama City to Bocas del Toro | Bus plus boat | 10–12 h | US$30–40 |
| San José to Panama City | Bus via Paso Canoas | 12–16 h | US$40–60 |
Times and fares are estimates; check with the operator before you travel.
FAQ
Sources and verification
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Panama?
Tocumen International (PTY) for Panama City, the Canal and most onward travel. Fly into David (DAV) if you start in Boquete or the Pacific west, or Bocas del Toro (BOC) for the islands. Only PTY has long-haul flights.
How long is the flight to Panama from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
From the US east coast about 5–6 hours, west coast about 6–7. From the UK and Europe roughly 12–14 hours with one stop. From Canada about 7–9 hours. From Australia and New Zealand 20–30 hours with at least one stop. All estimates; check live schedules.
Can I enter Panama by land or sea?
Yes. The main land crossings from Costa Rica are Paso Canoas and Sixaola; there is no road link from Colombia because of the Darién Gap. Cruise ships and private boats arrive at ports on both coasts, including Colón and Bocas del Toro.
Do I need a visa to enter Panama?
Many nationalities, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, can enter visa-free for short stays, but rules change. Check the current requirement for your passport before booking.
How do I get from Tocumen airport to Panama City?
Taxi or ride-hailing, about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, roughly US$30–40. There is no train or metro link to the airport. Some hotels offer shuttles.
Is it safe to travel overland through the Darién?
No. The Darién Gap has no road and is not a travel route. Fly between Panama and Colombia instead.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialAutoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP)
- officialTocumen International Airport
- officialServicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá
- secondaryWikivoyage – Panama