Travelling from Panama City to Mexico City: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Panama City. Explore your options leaving from Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Balboa Airport (BLB) when planning your flight from Panama City to Mexico City.
When landing in Mexico City, Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) are the chief entry points.
Take a direct Panama City to Mexico City flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 3 hours 50 minutes.
The timezone in Mexico City is UTC-6, which is one hour behind Panama City.
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 46 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Panama City to Mexico City is with Copa Airlines at 22:19. Choose the first PTY to MEX departure operated by Copa Airlines at 09:11 to maximise your time in Mexico City.
To ensure you board your Panama City to Mexico City flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying during a peak month such as July? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Panama City to Mexico City
To snag cheap Panama City to Mexico City flights, reserve your journey five months before your departure.
October is the best month for picking up an awesome deal on a plane ticket from Panama City to Mexico City. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Panama City to Mexico City.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Panama City to Mexico City flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Panama City
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
You can book a direct flight from Panama City to Mexico City leaving from Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Start your journey at PTY and arrive at Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX).
Look out for deals with Copa Airlines. This airline offers direct Panama City to Mexico City plane tickets out of PTY.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Panama City to Mexico City flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Panama City Tocumen International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Cancun Airport (CUN)
Guadalajara Airport (GDL)
San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)
Located around 18 kilometres from the centre of Panama City, PTY can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Panama City Tocumen International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Panama City to Mexico City, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Panama City Tocumen International Airport has a strong on-time performance, so you're less likely to experience disruptions. Departures from PTY arrive on schedule 88% of the time.
Balboa Airport (BLB)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Panama City to Mexico City flight, check out these options when departing from Balboa Airport:
Bogota Airport (BOG)
Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE)
San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)
BLB is about 5 kilometres from central Panama City. It'll take you 10 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Panama City to Mexico City, unwind in one of these hotels near Balboa Airport:
Flights from Balboa Airport have a reputation for punctuality, with 88% of them arriving as expected.
Arriving in Mexico City
Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX)
The distance from Mexico City Juarez International Airport (MEX) to central Mexico City is roughly 6 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 40 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Panama City to Mexico City, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near MEX:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Mexico City Juarez International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and experience the lesser-explored corners of Mexico City and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from Mexico City Juarez International Airport around four weeks in advance of your Panama City to Mexico City flight.
Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU)
Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) is roughly 40 kilometres from central Mexico City. Once you've disembarked your flight from Panama City to Mexico City, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
The journey will take approximately 2 hours on public transport.
After your flight from Panama City to Mexico City, unwind at a hotel near NLU. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or slow-moving taxi lines. Pick up a Felipe Angeles International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare rates and availability from Europcar, MEX and Keddy By Europcar.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride one week before your arrival at NLU will help you save.
Mexico City Atizapan Airport (AZP)
Central Mexico City is about 3 kilometres from Mexico City Atizapan Airport (AZP). Get settled at your hotel (or dive straight into the city's leading attractions) after your flight from Panama City to Mexico City.
Booking a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Panama City to Mexico City is a good move. In addition to better deals, you might find it easier to get the make and model you prefer at AZP.
Best time to go to Mexico City
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Panama City to Mexico City. June is the most popular month for a trip to Mexico City. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in March.
Lock in a Panama City to Mexico City ticket departing in May if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Mexico City to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Panama City to Mexico City in January when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).
More about Mexico City
Start your Mexico City trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Panama City to Mexico City, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, National Museum of Anthropology and Frida Kahlo Museum are top sights which should be on every Mexico City itinerary.
Explore more of Mexico
Mexico City has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Mexico waiting to be discovered. Around 21 kilometres northeast of Mexico City, a trip to Ecatepec de Morelos will keep you on the go. Check out popular attractions like Zoologico Zacango, Centro Ecoturistico y Educación Ambiental Sierra de Guadalupe and Botanical Garden.
If you want to check out another well-known destination in Mexico, head for Guadalajara, roughly 467 kilometres west of Mexico City. Guadalajara's Cathedral, Temple of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mural Gigante FRIDA KAHLO are among the biggest draws.