Flying from Washington DC to Panama City: what you need to know
When searching for your flight from Washington DC to Panama City, there's a nice range of airports you can start your trip from. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are among Washington DC's main terminals.
Step off your plane in Panama City at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB).
5 hours 3 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Washington DC to Panama City. Based in the UTC-5 timezone, Panama City is 1 hour behind Washington DC.
To ensure you catch your flight from Washington DC to Panama City, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.
You don't need a visa for Panama if you have a passport from United States and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements are subject to changes or updates. So before locking in your cheap flights from Washington DC to Panama City, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Washington DC to Panama City. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Ronald Reagan National Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Travelling from central Washington DC to DCA takes approximately 43 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 16 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Washington DC to Panama City? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels near Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Prefer to fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? This popular hub also offers nonstop flights from Washington DC to Panama City — you can travel straight to Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
Copa Airlines has direct flights from Washington DC to Panama City departing from IAD. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat and arrive at your destination in a single stretch.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to freshen up with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Washington DC to Panama City, here's where you can stop when setting off from Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
You can reach IAD from central Washington DC in approximately 51 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey on public transport will take roughly 3 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Washington DC to Panama City, unwind in one of these hotels close to Washington Dulles International Airport:
Arriving in Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to central Panama City takes around 21 minutes by car. It's approximately 21 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near PTY if you have a late flight from Washington DC to Panama City. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)
After your flight from Washington DC to Panama City has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in about 6 minutes by car. Central Panama City is roughly 2 kilometres from Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC).
You can also travel using public transport, which will take roughly 24 minutes.
After your flight from Washington DC to Panama City, settle in at a hotel close to PAC. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Panama City
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Panama City is 154 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 363 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
To get your hands on cheap tickets from Washington DC to Panama City, book early. Airlines generally offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the lowest price in each month when searching for a ticket from Washington DC to Panama City.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Panama City. There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped. We'll tell you the moment there's a change in price.
Play around with filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Washington DC to Panama City, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Panama City
February is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Panama City, while June is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to visit Panama City based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Panama City is March, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 32ºC. Book your flights from Washington DC to Panama City in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
February sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 31ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Panama City sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Panama City
Start your Panama City trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Panama City, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Panama Canal Museum, Casco Viejo and Cinta Costera are major attractions which should feature on any good Panama City itinerary.
Complete your Panama City trip with a car rental
Explore our lineup of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Washington DC to Panama City. Whether you're looking for a compact ride, spacious sedan or something in between, you can easily compare companies in one go to get the best deal.