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How to get fromSan José to Panama Cityby bus, plane, car, shuttle, or taxi

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There are 8 ways to get from San José to Panama City by bus, plane, car, shuttle, or taxi

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus to Juan Santamaría International Airport, fly to Tocumen International Airport

    best
    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY)plane plane SJO - PTY
    5h 37m
    $179–400

  2. Bus via Paso Canoas

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from San José to Paso Canoasbus bus Paso Canoas – San José vía Costanera / ...
    2. Take the bus from Frontera to Albrook - Panamabus bus Panama
    16h
    $41–47

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Terminal Albrookbus bus Panamá / ...
    15h 40m
    $59–89

  4. Drive 782.8 km

    1. Drive from San José to Panama Citycar car 782.8 km
    12h 58m
    $108–155

  5. Shuttle, drive to Changuinola, fly to Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport

    1. Take a shuttle bus from San José to Puerto Viejo de Talamancashuttle bus
    2. Drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Changuinola (CHX)car car
    3. Fly from Changuinola (CHX) to Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)plane plane CHX - PAC
    5h 26m
    $227–651

  6. Shuttle, bus to David, fly to Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport

    1. Take a shuttle bus from San José to Paso Canoasshuttle bus
    2. Take the bus from Frontera to Davidbus bus
    3. Fly from David (DAV) to Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)plane plane DAV - PAC
    8h 25m
    $960–1,162

  7. Taxi to Quepos La Managua Airport, fly to Tocumen International Airport

    1. Take the taxi from San Isidro to Quepos-Airport-XQPtaxi taxi
    2. Fly from Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY)plane plane XQP - PTY
    5h 5m
    $506–681

  8. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San José to Terminal Tica Bus Panamábus bus San José – Panamá
    16h 10m
    $55–80

San José to Panama City by bus

Calendar8Weekly Buses
Duration16h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$55Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San José to Panama City.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 652.6 km
  • Duration: 5h 37m

What companies run services between San José, Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama?

Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter) operates a bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Terminal Albrook 4 times a day. Tickets cost $58–90 and the journey takes 15h 30m.

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