Roberta Aguirre
Panama City is a common layover spot between the US and South America, and Tocumen International Airport is the country's main hub for international flights. The airport operates 24 hours a day and offers a range of facilities for passengers in transit, including shops, dining options, and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Tocumen Airport (PTY) |
| Airport Location | Panama City |
| Airport Hours | 24 hours |
| Transit Visa Requirement | Maximum stay of 12 hours without a visa; 24-hour transit visa available |
| Immigration/Customs | Not required for transit passengers who don't leave the airport |
| Transportation to City | Taxi, Uber, bus, or metro |
| Travel Time to City | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Nearby Attractions | Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, tropical forests, beaches, Isla Taboga |
| Airport Amenities | Shops, dining, VIP lounges, ATMs, banks, currency exchange |
| Accessibility | Elevators, accessible restrooms, signage, reserved parking, wheelchair ramps, special needs accommodations |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for transiting through Panama airport
If you are transiting through Panama Airport, there are a number of visa requirements you must consider. Firstly, if your transit time is under 12 hours, you do not need a visa or entry permit. However, if your transit time is longer than 12 hours, or if you need to go through immigration for a flight change, you will need to demonstrate your permit to enter the country, either with a transit or tourist visa.
Nationals from certain countries are allowed to transit through Panama, providing they meet the following conditions: they must possess a valid Panamanian visa or residence permit; they must have residence in, or a multiple-entry visa granted by Canada, the US, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Singapore, or any EU state; or they must be travelling to or from a country where they hold a valid visa or residence permit (excluding Haitian nationals).
If you are travelling from the US, all international flights depart from Tocumen Airport (PTY). If you are transiting through Tocumen Airport, you do not need to go through immigration or customs. However, if you are travelling onto a domestic flight from Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC), you will need to allow at least four hours to clear immigration and customs, collect baggage, and travel across Panama City.
To apply for a visa to enter Panama, you must submit the following documents:
- A completed and signed visa application form
- Copies of all pages of your passport, with at least three months validity before the expected trip
- A flight reservation or electronic ticket
- A copy of a valid ID issued by the US
- Three 2x2 photographs with a white background
- Two money orders from Western Union or MoneyGram, each for $50, made out to the Consulate of Panama
- Proof of economic solvency during your stay, with no less than $500, which can be verified with a certified bank check
It is also recommended that you travel with your vaccination card.
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Transport options to and from the airport
Transport Options to and from Tocumen International Airport
The easiest and fastest way to get to and from Panama City Tocumen International Airport is by taxi or Uber. Taxis are pale yellow with a black-and-white checkered stripe and offer fixed fares for two passengers. A taxi from the airport to Panama City costs $30 for two people, with each additional passenger charged at $10. Uber is also a good option, but you must exit through the arrivals level and cross the street to the parking area to meet your driver. A taxi or Uber to the Panama Canal Miraflores Visitor Centre costs $15-$25.
The airport is also served by the metro, with a station located there. However, getting to the city centre by metro requires at least two changes, including at San Miguelito station. You can also take the bus, which is the cheapest option, but it also requires a change and a 10-minute walk to the 'Aeropuerto-I' bus stop outside the airport.
If you prefer a more personalised service, you can book a private transfer in advance, with companies like PanamaTransfers offering rides in a modern fleet of vehicles.
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Facilities available at the airport
Tocumen International Airport is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. It is the largest and busiest airport in Central America. The airport has undergone several expansion and renovation programs to accommodate the growing demand for air operations.
Transportation
The airport is located 24 km (14.9 miles) northeast of Panama City, and it takes approximately 20 minutes to drive to the airport from the city centre via the toll road. The airport offers various transportation options, including official taxis and transport applications such as Uber and InDriver. The nearest metro station is a few minutes' walk from Terminal 2, providing easy access to different parts of Panama City. MiBus is the most economical public transport option, with regular routes and strategic stops.
Parking
The airport provides secure and accessible parking areas for short and long stays, located near the terminals. It offers designated parking spots for private vehicles, rentals, and passengers with reduced mobility.
Terminals
Tocumen International Airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). Terminal 1 is the oldest and handles most international flights, while Terminal 2 is a newer addition that enhances passenger capacity and experience. Both terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus.
Shopping and Dining
The airport features a variety of shops and restaurants, including duty-free stores, cafes, and clothing and electronics outlets. Dining options range from Panamanian and international cuisine to coffee shops, snack bars, and fast food.
VIP Lounges
The airport has two VIP lounges: the Tocumen Royal Saloon and the Copa Club. The Tocumen Royal Saloon caters to arriving and departing passengers, while the Copa Club is for business-class passengers and star alliance passengers with gold status.
Medical Facilities
A medical clinic, pharmacy, and ambulance services are available at the airport. Additionally, medical and paramedical personnel are on hand to assist passengers and visitors.
Other Amenities
The airport provides free Wi-Fi access for up to 2 hours, public telephones, ATMs, currency exchange services, and a lost and found office. Terminal 2 offers massage chair services, and there are also shower rooms available.
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Things to do in Panama City during a layover
If you have a long layover in Panama City, you can leave the airport and explore the city. The airport is well-connected to downtown, with travel times of around 30 minutes depending on traffic. Here are some things to do and see in Panama City during your layover:
Stroll through Casco Viejo
Nicknamed the "Miami of the South", Casco Viejo is the historic district of Panama City, featuring narrow cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, dreamy balconies, colourful houses, and buildings. It is also known for its multitude of rooftop bars and eateries, shops, and cafes.
Visit the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is the most famous landmark in Panama. You can book a tour to see it, or simply visit it yourself. Tours can be as short as 3 hours and some even offer airport pick-up. The Miraflores Visitor Center is open daily from 8 am-6 pm, with tickets sold until 5:15 pm for $20 for adults and $12 for children.
Explore Tropical Forests
Panama City was once a tropical forest, and you can still experience this at Parque Metropolitano, which offers two hiking loops: a lower loop and an upper loop. The lower loop takes around an hour and you can see sloths by taking a small detour to the bunkers. The upper loop offers the chance to see monkeys, agouti, coati, deer, and smaller critters.
Visit the Beach
Panama is surrounded by water, so you can visit the beach instead of staying in the city. Veracruz Beach is a half-hour drive from Panama City, and Monkey Island is another popular option.
Try Panamanian Food
Some popular Panamanian dishes include sancocho (a vegetable stew often with chicken), hojaldra (a fried bread), and root yucca.
If you have a shorter layover, you may not have time to leave the airport. In that case, you can still pass the time by dining at one of the many eateries, cafes, and restaurants in the airport, or by doing some shopping at the 40+ shops, including internationally-known brands and smaller shops selling souvenirs and locally-made goods. You can also pay to enter airport lounges, where you can relax or catch up on work with food, drinks, WiFi, and TV included.
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Connecting flights at Tocumen Airport
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the primary international airport serving Panama City, the capital of Panama. It is a common layover spot for flights between the US and South America. The airport operates 24 hours a day and has two terminals connected by a 170-metre pedestrian corridor and a shuttle bus service.
If you have a connecting flight at Tocumen Airport, you may not need to go through immigration or customs. Transit passengers who don't leave the airport do not need to go through immigration or customs. However, if you are transiting onto an international flight with Air Panama or Wingo, you will depart from Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC), which is about 18 miles from Tocumen. In this case, you will need to clear immigration and customs, collect any checked baggage, and then travel to the other airport. 90 minutes is a safe minimum layover time for an international-to-international connection at Tocumen Airport, but it can often be done in less time.
If you have several hours to wait for your connecting flight, Tocumen Airport has shops, duty-free outlets, dining options, and VIP lounges. If you have a long layover, you can consider taking a tour or resting at a nearby hotel. To get into Panama City, you can take a taxi, Uber, bus, or the metro. Travel time is around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
If you need to contact the lost and found office, the phone number is +507 238 2938 and the email address is [email protected]. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
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Frequently asked questions
A maximum stay of 12 hours in transit at the international airport of Panama is allowed without the need for a visa or entry permit. If your transit is longer than 12 hours, or if you need to go through immigration for your flight change, you will be required to demonstrate your permit to enter the country (transit or tourist visa).
Panama City is a common layover spot between the US and South America. You can visit the Panama Canal, explore Casco Viejo, enjoy tropical forests, or take a short trip to nearby beaches or Isla Taboga.
The airport operates 24 hours, with some stores, food outlets, Duty-Free shops, and VIP lounges also available overnight. There are no smoking areas, as the airport is entirely smoke-free.
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