How to get from Cartagena to Panama City

Why visit Panama City?

Panama City is the best starting point for any adventure into the pristine beaches and incredible wildlife of the country. The city offers a wide range of cultural sites and delicious food options that contribute to making it a hot spot for visitors all year-long.

There are 2 ways to travel the 470 kilometre (292 miles) distance from Cartagena to Panama City. You can choose between the flight and Sailboat. The journey takes 1 hour 55 minutes to 6 days 12 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at $135.

Flying from Cartagena to Panama City is the fastest and most affordable option. Rates start from $135, and you can complete the journey in just 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

The easiest way to get to Cartagena Airport from the city centre is by Uber. Fares start from about 32,000 COP ($8.70) — a bit pricy, but well worth the convenience and peace of mind.

Taxis are cheaper with prices from 18,000 COP ($4.80). But keep in mind that many drivers try to overcharge, especially tourists who don’t speak Spanish.

If you prefer to book in advance, BookAway offers shared and private transfers:

• Shared minivan – $5.60 per seat
• Private car – $17.20 for 2 people

On a tight budget? You can take the Transcaribe T102 bus for 3,000 COP ($0.80). It’s the cheapest choice, but drops you off a block away from Cartagena Airport. Also note that you’ll need a Transcaribe card because cash isn’t accepted.

Check out our guide for Cartagena Airport for more details.

Copa Airlines operates several daily flights from Cartagena to Panama City’s main airport (Tocumen International Airport, PTY). Flight time is 1h 20m and airfares start from $180.

A more affordable option is to fly to Panama City’s smaller airport, located in the Panama Canal Zone (Panamá Pacífico International Airport, BLB). These flights are operated by the low-cost carrier Wingo once a day on Thursdays and Sundays. Rates for this flight range from $115 to $160.

From Tocumen International Airport, the best way to get to the city centre is by Uber. Rates start from $20 and the journey takes about 20 minutes.

A cheaper alternative would be to take the Metro, which is connected to the airport. However, there is no direct Metro line from Panama Airport to the city centre. You’ll have to make at least one transfer, depending on where you’re heading. A ticket costs only about a dollar, though!

Panamá Pacífico International Airport to City Centre

Are you coming from Panamá Pacífico International Airport? The easiest way to travel the 20 km to Panama City Centre is by Uber or Taxi. The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs around $30.

Looking to make your journey from Cartagena to Panama City an adventure? Taking a sailboat is a popular choice.

With a sailboat, you can enjoy a scenic trip from Cartagena to Panama City — island-hopping from one paradise to another for 6 days and 5 nights. Prices start from $720.

Sailing across the Caribbean is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It may not be the cheapest option, but it’s something worth experiencing if you have the chance, especially if this is your first time on a sailboat.

If the thought of a stunning sailing trip isn’t enough to convince you, the trip is all-inclusive, meaning you won’t spend extra money on accommodation or meals for the duration of the trip.

There are several companies offering this service; some have set schedules, while others operate on demand. We recommend planning your trip with Blue Sailing, as they offer an unforgettable experience, all with the highest level of safety.

The route they travel from Cartagena to Panama takes you through the spectacular San Blas Archipelago.

What to expect in your sailboat adventure

The agency operates a wide fleet of boats, all with a journey time of approximately 6 days. The price and schedules vary depending on which boat you choose and the season you’re travelling in.

No matter what trip you choose, meals, accommodation on the boat, and equipment for activities like snorkelling or fishing are all included in the price. During the trip, you’ll spend 2 days sailing on the open sea and 3 days island-hopping around the San Blas islands.

The boats usually depart from the Club Nautico Marina, in the Manga neighbourhood. This is easily reachable by taxi from Cartagena’s historic centre. Expect to pay 7,000 COP ($1.90) – 8,000 COP ($2.20) for the 5-10 minute ride.

Most sailboats will finish the trip either at Puerto Lindo or Portobello. Where it ends depends on the season and boat, but you will be informed by the agency when booking.

Once there, the fastest way to reach Panama City is by hiring a shared van transfer with Blue Sailing that will take you to your accommodation in the city. The rate is $25 and the trip takes about 2 hours.

You can also use the local buses to get to Panama City via Sabanitas/Colon. These will drop you off at the Albrook Bus Terminal, on the western edge of Panama City. The minivan ride takes around 3 hours, with tickets starting at $5.

Another popular port for arrival and departures in Panama is El Porvenir, located in the San Blas Archipelago. If that’s the case, you can take a boat to Carti, a port on Panama’s mainland for $20, and then connect by car to Panama City for $30.

Once again, you can book the combined trip of boat and car with Blue Sailing for around $50.