Flying from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport (SCL) to Panama City: what you need to know
Around 6 hours 55 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City.
The timezone in Panama City is UTC-5. The city is two hours behind Santiago, where Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport is located.
Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport (SCL) to Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the most traveled route, with 40 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from SCL to PTY is with Copa Airlines at 13:24. Go for the first departure with Copa Airlines at 00:12 if you want to get on your way earlier.
To avoid missing your SCL to Panama City flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time like February? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City ticket. Begin your journey at SCL and arrive at Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
Copa Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even tick off a new city. When searching for plane tickets from SCL to Panama City, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)
Medellin Jose Maria Cordova Intl Airport (MDE)
Located around 13 kilometres from central Santiago, SCL can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your holiday? Stay near SCL. Whether you're catching an early flight from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport maintains a solid on-time performance, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from SCL touch down on schedule 84% of the time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport (SCL) to Panama City
226 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City flight. A return plane ticket starts at 392 €. These prices can change depending on availability.
To find cheap flights from SCL to Panama City, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City throughout the entire month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from SCL to Panama City by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City.
Airports in Panama City
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
The distance from Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to central Panama City is roughly 24 kilometres. It'll take you around 35 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It'll take around 50 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near PTY:
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from Panama City Tocumen International Airport around three weeks in advance of your flight from SCL to Panama City.
Panama Pacifico International Airport (BLB)
After your flight from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City has touched down, you can get to the city centre in about 10 minutes by car. Central Panama City is roughly 6 kilometres from Panama Pacifico International Airport (BLB).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 20 minutes or so.
Following your SCL to Panama City flight, settle in at a hotel close to BLB. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Lock in the best price by booking your ride from BLB one week in advance. You can also expect to have a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Panama City
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City. January is the most popular month to visit Panama City. If you like a quieter atmosphere, go in September.
The warmest month in Panama City is March, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Book your Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap tickets from SCL to Panama City in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF) on average.
More about Panama City
Once you've booked your flight from Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport to Panama City, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Panama City:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitan), Casco Viejo and Independence Square are attractions you won't want to skip in Panama City.
Explore more of Panama
You've seen Panama City, now it's time to explore more of Panama. Journey about 322 kilometres west to David to check off its must-visit sights. From Museo Antropológico y Etnográfico Dr. Roberto De La Guardia to Raptors To The Rescue and Unachi Botanical garden, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Next? Head off for Santiago de Veraguas. It's around 193 kilometres southwest of Panama City and boasts highlights like Santiago the Apostle Cathedral, Santiago de Veraguas.