Panama Layover Tour in Panama City: Tocumen vs Albrook Airport
Are you passing through Panama City and have some hours to spare on a layover? If so, you’ll be glad to know there are some great tour options available during your layover. But when it comes to proximity and convenience, it’s important to know which airport – Tocumen or Albrook – is most suitable for a Panama Layover Tour.
In this article, I’ll go into detail about each of the airports to help you decide which is right for you. Then, I’ll provide some tips on how to make the most of your layover and suggest some recommended tour options. Let’s begin!
Tocumen International Airport
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is Panama’s largest and busiest airport, located in Panama City’s eastern district of the same name. It’s a major hub for Copa Airlines and also services other major airlines such as Delta and American. In addition to direct flights from major cities throughout Latin America, it has direct connections to some of the biggest and most popular cities around the world.
If you have a few extra hours and would like to explore during your layover in Panama City, Tocumen is the more convenient option for a quick layover tour compared to Albrook airport. This is because of its proximity to major attractions in the city center, such as Casco Viejo, the Panama Canal, and Barrio Bruno Bianchi. Plus, there are several shuttles that operate from the airport directly to the city center, so it’s not hard to find transportation to take you downtown.
Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” Airport
Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert” Airport (PAC) is located near Albrook Mall in Panama City and is mainly used for domestic flights. However, it also serves some international flights on a limited basis.
Although the proximity to the city center makes it an ideal option for a Panama Layover tour, there are a few downsides to Albrook airport. First, it’s much less convenient than Tocumen when it comes to transportation: there are fewer shuttles and taxis that service the airport, making it more difficult and expensive to get downtown compared to Tocumen. Additionally, due to its smaller size, there are fewer flights that go through Albrook – meaning there may be a limited number of direct flights if you’re looking to fly straight from Panama City to your final destination.
Tocumen vs Albrook Airport
When it comes down to it, I would suggest Tocumen International Airport as the more convenient option for a Panama Layover Tour. Although it services more international flights, it also offers more transportation options – both public and private – that can take you more conveniently into the heart of Panama City.
If you decide to fly into Tocumen Airport for your layover in Panama City, here are a few tips to help ensure you make the most of your visit:
- Before you book any tours or activities during your layover, make sure you check out GetYourGuide – they have a range of high-quality tours and activities listed with great reviews.
- Take advantage of public transportation: shuttles are usually the best way to get downtown quickly.
- Pre-book transportation if you’re short on time: this way you won’t have to worry about finding transportation once you arrive.
Recommended Tours and Activities
If you decide that Tocumen International Airport is your best option for a Panama Layover Tour and want an idea of some of the best tours and activities that you can take advantage of during your layover, here are a few recommendations:
| Activity/Tour | Length | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama City Tour | 3 Hours | ||
| Panama Canal Tour | 4 Hours | ||
| Rainforest Tour | 6 Hours |
Since layovers can be hectic and stressful, try to plan ahead before your flight by picking which tour(s) you’d like to book and pre-booking them to make the most of your time in Panama City during your stopover.
In Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a quick tour to get an overview of the city or something more in depth that includes exploring the surrounding rainforest, both Tocumen and Albrook airports offer great tour options for those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands during a layover in Panama City. So when it comes down to it, I would suggest Tocumen International Airport as the more convenient option for what you’re looking for during your layover in Panama City. And if you’re not sure where to start with exploring the city or need some help booking tours and activities, definitely check out GetYourGuide. Now your layover doesn’t have to feel like more 4 hours of waiting until your next flight!
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