Tocumen International Airport serves Panama City and is Central America's main aviation hub, with connections to North and South America, Europe, and the Caribbean.
It is located approximately 24 km from the city center, serving as the access point to the Panama Canal, the historic Casco Viejo, and surrounding rainforests.
How to get to Tocumen International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to PTY
Parking near Tocumen International Airport
Adjacent to the terminal is a multi-level parking structure.
Fares do not deviate from those typical of the region.
How to get to Panama City from PTY
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Tocumen International Airport
Near arrivals, you will find desks of major car rental companies.
Driver's license, passport, and credit card are required, along with an International Driving Permit in most cases.
Hotels near Tocumen International Airport
At the airport in Tocumen
The Riande Aeropuerto is about 2 km away with a free shuttle; the Crowne Plaza is under 1 km away with a shuttle running 24 hours on request.
Best for: One-night layovers and departures before dawn, for those who don't want to face the traffic into downtown.
- Free shuttles running even in the early morning hours, without the traffic on Via Domingo Díaz
- No risk of missing the connection because of queues on the road into downtown
- Only the Tocumen industrial area around: for dinner you stay in the hotel
- For an evening in Panama City you still need 30-45 minutes by taxi
Recommended hotels
- Riande Aeropuerto Hotel Casino About 2 km from the terminal with a free shuttle; outdoor pool and an on-site casino for a long layover between two flights. View availability
- Crowne Plaza Panama Airport by IHG Less than 1 km from the terminals, with a free shuttle running 24 hours on request; outdoor pool and gym for an overnight stay between two flights. View availability
El Cangrejo and Via España
About 30-40 minutes by taxi from the airport (20 km), up to 45 at peak hours; there is no direct fast connection.
Best for: Those who want the evening life, restaurants and the historic financial district, a step from Via España.
- Via España and the Bella Vista district reachable on foot from the hotels
- Restaurants, banks and nightlife concentrated in a few streets
- No direct metro from the airport: you depend on taxis or a rental car
- Heavy traffic on Via España at peak hours
Recommended hotels
- Hotel El Panama by Faranda Grand The city's first large hotel, at the top of Via España in the Bella Vista district; large pool surrounded by gardens and three in-house restaurants. View availability
- Le Méridien Panama At the corner of Calle Uruguay and Avenida Balboa, on the border between the financial district and the nightlife of El Cangrejo; bay views from the upper floors. View availability
- Hyatt Regency Panama City On Calle 52, 4 minutes on foot from Via España and 10 from Avenida Balboa; a café and a food market on the ground floor. View availability
Punta Pacifica and Marbella
About 30-40 minutes by taxi from the airport (20-22 km); no direct fast connection, you depend on taxis or a rental car.
Best for: Those who want the bayside skyscrapers and Avenida Balboa, with Multiplaza Mall a few minutes away.
- Avenida Balboa reachable on foot from both hotels
- Multiplaza Mall and the restaurants of Punta Pacifica a few minutes away
- An area of skyscrapers and offices: little street life outside the shopping malls
- The same traffic as the rest of the city towards the airport
Recommended hotels
- JW Marriott Panama A tower on the Punta Pacifica coast, the former Trump Ocean Club taken over by Marriott in 2018; four outdoor pools and three in-house restaurants. View availability
- Riu Plaza Panamá A 34-floor tower in Marbella, 9 minutes on foot from Avenida Balboa; 634 rooms and three restaurants, among the chain's largest in the city. View availability
Costa del Este
About 10-20 minutes via the Corredor Sur (toll road) under normal traffic conditions, up to 30 at peak hours.
Best for: Business trips to the city's newest financial district, the closest to the airport along the Corredor Sur.
- The financial district closest to the airport, thanks to the Corredor Sur
- A seafront with shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel
- A district of offices and skyscrapers: quiet evenings, little nightlife
- For the historic centre or El Cangrejo you still need a taxi
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The main terminal has been expanded in recent years to handle its role as a Central American regional hub.
Before international flights, it is wise to arrive with a 3-hour margin.
Map of Tocumen International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do Tocumen taxis have a meter?
No, the official white airport-licensed taxis charge fixed zone-based fares and must be paid in cash in US dollars only; credit cards are generally not accepted.
Q. How much does a taxi from Tocumen to downtown Panama City cost?
Roughly 30-40 USD to the centre and Casco Viejo, up to 42-50 USD to the Playa Bonita area.
Q. Do you need a visa to visit Panama?
Citizens of the EU, UK, United States, Canada and Australia do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 180 days, provided they have a passport valid for at least 3 months and a return ticket.
Q. Is Tocumen connected to the Panama City metro?
Line 2 has a station in the airport area, but it's not directly connected to the passenger terminal: check the latest information at the time of your trip.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
