Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Panama City: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City is 7 hours 50 minutes.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Following the UTC-5 timezone, Panama City is two hours ahead of San Francisco.
The busiest route is from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY). You can select from 13 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SFO to PTY is the 00:37 Copa Airlines option. If you'd rather travel later, the last departure is at 20:20 with Copa Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your SFO to Panama City flight.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
You can book a direct San Francisco International Airport to Panama City ticket. Begin your trip at SFO and arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
Look out for deals with Copa Airlines. This carrier has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from SFO to Panama City with a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Travelling from central San Francisco to SFO takes about 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to SFO:
Of all flights leaving San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% land on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Panama City
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Panama City flight is 182 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 419 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book one month before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SFO to Panama City.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for landing the biggest deals on San Francisco International Airport to Panama City tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from SFO to Panama City is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as a cheaper option becomes available.
Find a cheap flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is around 21 kilometres from central Panama City. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near PTY:
Explore without limits with a Tocumen International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Avis, Dollar or MEX and chase adventure across Panama City and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Tocumen International Airport around three weeks before your flight from SFO to Panama City can help you get the lowest rate.
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)
Central Panama City is around 2 kilometres from Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC). After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 5 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 25 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near PAC. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your SFO to Panama City flight:
Thrifty, Avis and Alamo make collecting a Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride three weeks before your arrival at PAC will help you stay within budget.
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
Make tracks for the city centre after your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City has arrived. Central Panama City is around 16 kilometres from Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB) and takes roughly 20 minutes to get to by car.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, head for a hotel near BLB. Get settled at one of these stays after your SFO to Panama City flight:
Take control of the next chapter of your journey by picking up a Panama Pacifico Airport rental car. Sixt, Dollar and Thrifty will get you on the road.
Enjoy a payoff when you plan ahead. Book your vehicle from BLB one week before your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City for the most affordable rates.
Best time to go to Panama City
Visit Panama City in high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book flights from San Francisco International Airport to Panama City during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to Panama City plane ticket with a departure in March if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to Panama City in February if you want to travel 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 San Francisco International Airport to Panama City, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Panama City:
Casco Viejo and Panama Canal Museum are a couple of popular attractions to put on your Panama City must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Cinta Costera.
Explore more of Panama
You've visited Panama City, now it's time to explore other parts of Panama. Journey around 322 kilometres west to David to check off its top sights. From Parque Cervantes to Altos del Rio Park and Coquito Hills Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Santiago de Veraguas is another sought-after destination in Panama and is around 193 kilometres south-west of Panama City. No journey is complete without visiting Santiago the Apostle Cathedral, Santiago de Veraguas, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and La Placita San Juan De Dios.
