There are 4 ways to get from San Diego to Panama by plane, bus (Greyhound), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Tocumen International Airport
best- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY)plane SAN - PTY
7h 7m$225–725Bus
- Take the bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus
- Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus
- Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Terminal Albrookbus
5d 11h$448–569Drive 5,926.5 km
- Drive from San Diego to Panama Citycar 5,926.5 km
3d 3h$811–1,172Fly to David
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to David (DAV)plane SAN - DAV
8h 52m$283–1,027
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to Panama is to fly which costs $220 - $750 and takes 7h 7m.
The fastest way to get from San Diego to Panama is to fly which takes 7h 7m and costs $220 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from San Diego to Panama. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at Terminal Albrook via Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, Managua and Terminal Tica Bus. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5 days 11h.
The distance between San Diego and Panama is 4708 km. The road distance is 5926.5 km.
The best way to get from San Diego to Panama without a car is to bus which takes 5 days 11h and costs $440 - $600.
It takes approximately 7h 7m to get from San Diego to Panama, including transfers.
San Diego to Panama bus services, operated by Greyhound Mexico, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from San Diego to Panama is to fly which takes 7h 7m and costs $220 - $750. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $440 - $600 and takes 5 days 11h.
San Diego to Panama bus services, operated by Greyhound Mexico, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Panama is 2h ahead of San Diego. It is currently 7:03 AM in San Diego and 9:03 AM in Panama.
What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Panama?
Copa Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from San Diego to Fernandez de Cordoba via Los Angeles Union Station, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, Managua, Terminal NicaBus, Terminal Tica Bus, Terminal Albrook, and Albrook in around 5d 11h.
- Website
- copaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Tocumen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–700
Flights from San Diego International Airport to David via Tocumen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 27m
- When
- Friday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,100
Flights from San Diego International Airport to David via Los Angeles, Tocumen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $290–1,100
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Tocumen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–700
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Tocumen International Airport via Houston
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–750
Flights from San Diego International Airport to David via Tocumen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 10m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,100
Flights from San Diego International Airport to David via Los Angeles, Tocumen International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $290–1,100
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Tocumen International Airport via Miami
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–800
- Phone
- +1-800-231-2222
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com.mx
Bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $23–40
- Schedules at
- greyhound.com.mx
- Phone
- +1 213 368 1172
- [email protected]
- Website
- busesusatours.com
Bus from Los Angeles to Managua
- Ave. Duration
- 4d 6h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $330–400
- Schedules at
- busesusatours.com
- Phone
- +505 2222 2276
- [email protected]
- Website
- nicabus.com.ni
Bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBus
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $37–38
- Website
- https://nicabus.com.ni/en/
- Phone
- +504 9919 5375
- Website
- cristobalcolon.com.gt
Bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Terminal Albrook
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $58–90
- Schedules at
- cristobalcolon.com.gt
- Road
- $60–90
Want to know more about travelling around Panama
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between San Diego to Panama is 5927 km. It takes approximately 3 days 3h to drive from San Diego to Panama.
There are 890+ hotels available in Panama.








