Travelling from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Panama City: what you need to know
The timezone in Panama City is UTC-5. The city is 18 hours behind Auckland, where Auckland Airport is located.
To ensure you get on your flight from AKL to Panama City, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from AKL to Panama City. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
You don't need a visa for Panama if you have a passport from New Zealand and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before booking your flight tickets from Auckland Airport to Panama City, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
The journey from central Auckland to AKL takes around 1 hour and 24 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 27 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Auckland Airport to Panama City? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels close to AKL:
How to find the cheapest flights from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Panama City
C$989 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Auckland Airport to Panama City. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$2,343. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
It's usually smart to book ahead of time if you want to find cheap tickets from AKL to Panama City. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the departure date.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from Auckland Airport to Panama City across each month. It's the best way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from AKL to Panama City. There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Auckland Airport to Panama City. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Airports in Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is around 21 kilometres from the centre of Panama City. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 21 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour and 5 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Auckland Airport to Panama City. Check in to one of these accommodation options near PTY instead:
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC) is roughly 2 kilometres from central Panama City. Once you've disembarked your flight from Auckland Airport to Panama City, it'll take you around 6 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take around 24 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to PAC. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from AKL to Panama City:
Best time to go to Panama City
June is the busiest month for flights from Auckland Airport to Panama City. To steer clear of the crowds, travel to Panama City in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Panama City is March, with the temperature ranging between 21ºC and 32ºC. Book your flights from Auckland Airport to Panama City in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from AKL to Panama City in February if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 22ºC and 31ºC on average.
More about Panama City
Start your Panama City trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Auckland Airport to Panama City, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Panama Canal Museum, Casco Viejo and Cinta Costera are essential stops on your Panama City itinerary.
Complete your Panama City trip with a car rental
Pick one of our car rentals in Panama City and see the sights at your leisure. Easily compare rates in one place to find the perfect set of wheels after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Auckland Airport to Panama City.