What is the cheapest way from Tocumen Airport to Panama City?

The Metro: Line 2 from the Aeropuerto station to San Miguelito, then a free transfer to Line 1 to 5 de Mayo (for Casco Viejo) or Iglesia del Carmen (for Vía España), for a combined $0.85 fare in about an hour.

Do I need to buy a Metro card at Tocumen Airport?

No — you can tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly on the turnstile and pay the same $0.85 fare. A rechargeable $2 MetroBus/RapiPass card is available from vending machines if you'd rather use cash.

How do I find the metro station from arrivals at Tocumen?

Follow signs toward the corridor connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; the Aeropuerto station entrance is about a 5–10 minute walk and poorly signed, so ask staff for 'la estación del metro' if you get lost.

How much is a taxi from Tocumen International Airport to the city?

A fixed $30 to Panama City from the official taxi counter to the right after customs (about $20 per person if you share) — versus $0.85 on the Metro. Ignore the unofficial drivers and 'helpers' who approach you in arrivals, as they will overcharge.

How long does the Metro trip take from the airport to Casco Viejo?

Budget about an hour door to door: the walk to the station, two Metro lines with a free transfer at San Miguelito, and a roughly 15-minute walk from 5 de Mayo station into Casco Viejo.

What is the best way from PTY to downtown Panama City?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: Metro Line 2 from Aeropuerto station to San Miguelito, then a free transfer to Line 1 into the city center — 5 de Mayo for Casco Viejo — for $0.85 total in about an hour.

How do you get from Panama City Tocumen Airport (PTY) to downtown Panama City — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) into central Panama City is the Metro: walk to the Aeropuerto station, ride Line 2 to San Miguelito, transfer free to Line 1, and get off at 5 de Mayo for Casco Viejo or Iglesia del Carmen for Vía España — the whole trip costs $0.85 and takes about an hour. Tap a contactless bank card straight on the turnstile instead of queueing for the $2 MetroBus/RapiPass card. Ignore the unofficial taxi touts in arrivals; if you want a taxi, use the official counter, which charges a fixed $30 to the city.

How to find it

AIRPORTPanama City Tocumen International Airport
01From arrivals, follow signs toward the corridor connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 — the Aeropuerto metro station entrance is about a 5–10 minute walk and is poorly signed, so ask staff for 'la estación del metro' if you're unsure.
02At the turnstiles, tap a contactless bank card or mobile wallet, or buy/recharge a $2 MetroBus/RapiPass card at the vending machines first.
03Board a Línea 2 (Line 2) train heading away from Nuevo Tocumen/Aeropuerto toward Corredor Sur and San Miguelito; riding Line 2 alone costs $0.50, deducted automatically.
04At San Miguelito, the western end of Line 2, cross the platform to transfer onto Línea 1 (Line 1) — it's a free, in-system transfer as long as you don't exit through the turnstiles; the combined Line 2 + Line 1 trip totals $0.85.
05Ride Line 1 to 5 de Mayo station for Casco Viejo (about a 15-minute walk along Avenida Central) or get off one or two stops earlier at Iglesia del Carmen or Santo Tomás if you're headed to Vía España or the Cinta Costera.
CITY CENTREPanama City

Ticket

Metro de Panamá / MetroBus RapiPass card for Line 2 + Line 1 (or a contactless bank card)

Where to buy: Buy a rechargeable MetroBus/RapiPass card for $2 from the vending machines just past the Aeropuerto station entrance (cash or card); or skip the card altogether and tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly on the turnstile reader.

How to pay: Vending machines take cash and cards for the $2 card plus your first top-up; the fare is deducted automatically from a tapped bank card or mobile wallet, no ticket booth or app needed.

Local's trick: Skip the $2 card altogether — tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay straight on the turnstile reader for the same $0.85 fare. The Line 2-to-Line 1 transfer at San Miguelito is free within one journey, so stay inside the paid area rather than exiting and re-tapping.

Trap to avoid: Ignore the unofficial taxi touts and 'helpers' who approach you in the arrivals hall — they aren't airport staff and will overcharge well above the posted rate. If you'd rather take a taxi, use the official taxi counter to the right after customs, which charges a fixed $30 to Panama City (or about $20 per person if you share a ride).

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Tocumen Airport to Panama City?: The Metro: Line 2 from the Aeropuerto station to San Miguelito, then a free transfer to Line 1 to 5 de Mayo (for Casco Viejo) or Iglesia del Carmen (for Vía España), for a combined $0.85 fare in about an hour.
Do I need to buy a Metro card at Tocumen Airport?: No — you can tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly on the turnstile and pay the same $0.85 fare. A rechargeable $2 MetroBus/RapiPass card is available from vending machines if you'd rather use cash.
How do I find the metro station from arrivals at Tocumen?: Follow signs toward the corridor connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; the Aeropuerto station entrance is about a 5–10 minute walk and poorly signed, so ask staff for 'la estación del metro' if you get lost.
How much is a taxi from Tocumen International Airport to the city?: A fixed $30 to Panama City from the official taxi counter to the right after customs (about $20 per person if you share) — versus $0.85 on the Metro. Ignore the unofficial drivers and 'helpers' who approach you in arrivals, as they will overcharge.
How long does the Metro trip take from the airport to Casco Viejo?: Budget about an hour door to door: the walk to the station, two Metro lines with a free transfer at San Miguelito, and a roughly 15-minute walk from 5 de Mayo station into Casco Viejo.
What is the best way from PTY to downtown Panama City?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: Metro Line 2 from Aeropuerto station to San Miguelito, then a free transfer to Line 1 into the city center — 5 de Mayo for Casco Viejo — for $0.85 total in about an hour.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.