Arriving at Tocumen Airport (PTY): How to Get to Your Hotel in Panama City and Beyond
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the main gateway to Panama and one of the busiest hubs in the Americas. After a long flight, the last thing you want is to negotiate a fare or work out buses with your luggage. This guide explains the easiest way to reach your hotel and how to plan the next leg of your trip.
The easiest option: a private transfer
We pick you up at the airport and take you straight to your hotel, apartment or any other address in Panama City. It is a private vehicle for your group only, with no shared stops and no waiting for other passengers.
- $40 for 1 to 2 passengers
- $45 for 3 to 4 passengers
- 5 or more passengers: ask us for a quote
It is a flat rate for the whole vehicle, the same in both directions, for any flight time.
How it works
- Send us your flight details: flight number, date, number of passengers and bags, and the address you are going to.
- We confirm by WhatsApp and, before your trip, tell you exactly where to meet your driver.
- Straight to the door of your hotel or apartment.
Common drop-offs include Casco Viejo, Bella Vista, El Cangrejo, Obarrio, Punta Paitilla, Punta Pacífica, Costa del Este, San Francisco, the Amador Causeway, Albrook and Ciudad del Saber.
Flying home
We pick you up at your address and time the trip so you reach Tocumen with the margin your airline recommends, usually three hours before an international flight.
Going straight to the beach or the mountains?
You do not have to stop in Panama City. We can arrange a private transfer from the airport to destinations such as Santa Catalina, El Valle de Antón or Boquete; send us your flight and we will quote it. If you prefer to spend a night in the city first, our shared shuttles leave from Casco Antiguo, for example to Santa Catalina.
Tips for your first hours in Panama
- Panama uses the US dollar, so you do not need to change money if you carry dollars.
- Share your hotel address with us in advance, in writing, to avoid confusion.
- For ideas on what to do once you arrive, read our guide to your first 24 hours in Panama.
Book your Tocumen airport transfer or send us your flight details on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a transfer from Tocumen Airport to Panama City?
Our private transfer costs $40 for 1 to 2 passengers and $45 for 3 to 4 passengers, per vehicle, to any address in Panama City and for any flight time.
Can you take me from Tocumen Airport directly to Santa Catalina?
Yes, we can arrange a private transfer from the airport to destinations outside the city. Send us your flight details and we will send a quote.
How early should I leave for Tocumen for an international flight?
Airlines usually recommend arriving about three hours before an international flight. We time your pickup to give you that margin.