Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Panama City: what you need to know
Approximately 7 hours 45 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Based in the UTC-5 timezone, Panama City is three hours ahead of San Francisco.
With nine departures a week between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the most popular route. Hop on Copa Airlines's 00:37 flight to get your trip from SFO to PTY underway.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your SFO to Panama City flight.
Travelling over a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Direct San Francisco International Airport to Panama City tickets are available for booking. Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is where you'll be touching down.
Book your ticket with Copa Airlines. This popular carrier operates direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper plane ticket from SFO to Panama City. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Give yourself a breather (and maybe even a better deal) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Cancun International Airport (CUN)
SFO is around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 35 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near SFO:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, data shows 78% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Panama City
ر.ق. 980 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Panama City flight. A return ticket right now is ر.ق. 2,187. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from SFO to Panama City, book ahead. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
Finding cheap tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City is easier if you're flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to access the best prices throughout the month and walk away with an epic deal.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SFO to Panama City.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City.
Airports in Panama City
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to the centre of Panama City takes about 35 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 24 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PTY instead:
Booking your vehicle from Panama City Tocumen International Airport about three weeks before your flight from SFO to Panama City can help you get the best possible rate.
Panama Pacifico International Airport (BLB)
The centre of Panama City is located around 6 kilometres from Panama Pacifico International Airport (BLB). Once your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 10 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 20 minutes or so.
Following your SFO to Panama City flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near BLB. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from BLB one week ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Panama City
September is the quietest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City, while January is the most popular. Find the ideal time to visit Panama City based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to Panama City plane ticket with a departure in March if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 21ºC to 32ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SFO to Panama City in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 31ºC.
More about Panama City
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Panama City right here. Explore these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City:
Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitan) and Casco Viejo are just the start of the major attractions to add to your Panama City itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Independence Square.
Explore more of Panama
Panama City will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Panama just waiting to be discovered. About 322 kilometres west of Panama City, a visit to David will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Museo Antropológico y Etnográfico Dr. Roberto De La Guardia, Raptors To The Rescue and Unachi Botanical garden.
Another well-known destination in Panama, Santiago de Veraguas is located about 193 kilometres southwest of Panama City. Set aside time for highlights including Santiago the Apostle Cathedral, Santiago de Veraguas.
