Traveling from Panama City to San Diego: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll catch your flight from Panama City to San Diego. Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB) are the main airports in Panama City.
Come in for landing at San Diego's chief entry point, San Diego International Airport (SAN).
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from Panama City to San Diego.
Planning to travel during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. For peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
If you have a passport from Panama, you will need an embassy visa to enter United States. This applies when booking a cheap flight from Panama City to San Diego for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're traveling for work or other reasons. Always check the visa rules ahead of booking and definitely before flying.
Flying from Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
We make it a cinch to book a flight from Panama City to San Diego that includes a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Tocumen International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
The journey from central Panama City to PTY takes around 1 hour and 5 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometers in 21 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Panama City to San Diego? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels near Tocumen International Airport:
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
Maximize your vacation with a stopover on your flight from Panama City to San Diego. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between Tocumen International Airport and San Diego:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Driving from central Panama City to BLB generally takes 22 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. It's approximately 16 kilometers from the city center to the airport.
Get your vacation started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Panama City to San Diego, stay in one of these hotels near Panama Pacifico Airport:
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego is approximately 5 kilometers. It takes about 9 minutes to reach the center driving.
It takes roughly 20 minutes when traveling by public transport.
Reserve a hotel near SAN if you're taking a late flight from Panama City to San Diego. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is roughly 56 kilometers from central San Diego. Once you've disembarked your flight from Panama City to San Diego, expect a drive time of approximately 39 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
The trip will take approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable hotels ready to welcome you near CLD. Settle in after your flight from Panama City to San Diego at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Panama City to San Diego
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Panama City to San Diego is $299. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $581. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To find cheap tickets from Panama City to San Diego, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights are first made available.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from Panama City to San Diego throughout the month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Panama City to San Diego. There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped. We'll update you the moment the price changes.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Panama City to San Diego, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to San Diego
May is the quietest month for flights from Panama City to San Diego, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to San Diego based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Diego is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC and 28ºC. Book your flights from Panama City to San Diego in this month if you like this kind of weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Panama City to San Diego in February when temperatures average between 7ºC and 23ºC.
More about San Diego
Start your San Diego trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Panama City to San Diego, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great vacations should include some sightseeing. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are must-visits when exploring San Diego.
Complete your San Diego trip with a car rental
Discover our range of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Panama City to San Diego. Whether you want a compact ride, roomy sedan or something with all the extras, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.
