SAN - PTY

$289 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to Panama City - Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$589
Typical prices: $601-$975
American Airlines
Thu 2/1Sat 2/17
SAN - PTY • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$660
Typical prices: $555-$964
Copa Airlines
Fri 12/7Thu 12/13
SAN - PTY • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Copa Airlines. Average duration is 6h 08m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 14 weeks in advance save around 46% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 37% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $583 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 10h 20m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Panama City!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Diego to Panama City (SAN-PTY)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Diego to Panama City

Mon, Feb 1 - Wed, Feb 17
American Airlines Logo
10:40 pm - 1:26 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
11h 46m1 stop Miami
American Airlines Logo
2:47 pm - 11:43 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
11h 56m1 stop Miami
$589American Airlines
Mon, Feb 1 - Wed, Feb 17
American Airlines Logo
4:24 pm - 1:26 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
18h 02m2 stops Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Miami
American Airlines Logo
4:31 pm - 11:08 amPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
21h 37m2 stops Miami Charlotte Douglas
$594American Airlines
Mon, Feb 1 - Wed, Feb 17
American Airlines Logo
2:02 pm - 1:26 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
20h 24m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth Miami
American Airlines Logo
2:47 pm - 11:43 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
11h 56m1 stop Miami
$594American Airlines
Mon, Dec 7 - Sun, Dec 13
Copa Airlines Logo
10:30 pm - 7:40 amSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
6h 10mnonstop
Copa Airlines Logo
1:45 pm - 5:26 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
6h 41mnonstop
$660Copa Airlines
Sat, Nov 14 - Sat, Nov 21
Copa Airlines Logo
10:30 pm - 7:36 amSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
6h 06mnonstop
Copa Airlines Logo
1:45 pm - 5:15 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
6h 30mnonstop
$660Copa Airlines
Wed, Nov 18 - Fri, Nov 20
Copa Airlines Logo
10:30 pm - 7:36 amSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
6h 06mnonstop
Copa Airlines Logo
1:45 pm - 5:15 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
6h 30mnonstop
$660Copa Airlines
Mon, Dec 7 - Sat, Dec 12
United Airlines Logo
5:18 pm - 2:45 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
18h 27m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
United Airlines Logo
8:55 am - 5:49 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
11h 54m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$675United Airlines
Tue, Nov 17 - Tue, Nov 24
United Airlines Logo
8:05 am - 7:38 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
8h 33m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
United Airlines Logo
8:55 am - 9:59 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
16h 04m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$675United Airlines
Mon, Feb 1 - Thu, Feb 18
GOL Logo
10:40 pm - 1:26 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
11h 46m1 stop Miami
GOL Logo
2:47 pm - 11:43 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
11h 56m1 stop Miami
$715GOL
Mon, Feb 1 - Thu, Feb 18
GOL Logo
10:10 pm - 1:26 pmSAN  San Diego-PTY Panama City Tocumen Intl
12h 16m2 stops Charlotte Douglas Miami
GOL Logo
2:47 pm - 11:43 pmPTY  Panama City Tocumen Intl-SAN San Diego
11h 56m1 stop Miami
$719GOL
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Diego to Panama City flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from San Diego to Panama City?

Round-trip flights from San Diego to Panama City typically range from $601 to $975. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $589, on American Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Panama City?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Panama City. It’s 18% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 35% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Panama City?

•November is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Panama City at $463 round-trip.
•January ($1,005) and July ($924) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 117% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Diego to Panama City the cheapest?

Flights from San Diego to Panama City are cheapest 14 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 46% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San Diego to Panama City

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Brandon Schultz

Brandon Schultz

Expert on SAN

Brandon Schultz is an award-winning food and travel writer based in New York City. His work has appeared in Forbes, AAA, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, and The Daily Meal, among many others, and he is the author of 6 books, including 3 cookbooks.

Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on PTY

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

Key details for San Diego to Panama City flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$289
Beat the crowds with an average 40% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 31% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Diego to Panama City

When to book flights from San Diego to Panama City

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Diego to Panama City based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your San Diego to Panama City flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Diego to Panama City?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Diego to Panama City:

    • Earliest: departs at 10:30 pm and lands at 4:38 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:30 pm and lands at 4:38 am.

    The flight takes about 6h 08m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from San Diego to Panama City?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from San Diego to Panama City:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from San Diego to Panama City?

    A nonstop flight from San Diego to Panama City takes 6h 08m, covering 2,910 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Diego to Panama City?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Diego to Panama City flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Diego to Panama City range from $601 to $975, with an average of $739 over the past 12 months. Anything below $601 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Diego to Panama City flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 42% above the $739 route average. Book 14 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from San Diego to Panama City?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $583 round-trip via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), compared to $698 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from San Diego to Panama City?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $100–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Diego to Panama City?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 9 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Copa Airlines and United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 variants.

  • How are flight departures from San Diego to Panama City spread across the day?

    Night is the busiest departure period on San Diego to Panama City flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, afternoon flights for 0%, and evening flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from San Diego to Panama City changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $589 to $3,996. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from San Diego to Panama City looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Diego to Panama City are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $467, which is 26% above the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Panama City Tocumen Intl Airport (PTY)?

    Panama City Tocumen Intl Airport (PTY) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $1 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Avis
    • Ace
    • Europcar
    • Budget
    • Thrifty

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Diego to Panama City?

    Flights from San Diego to Panama City usually depart from San Diego (SAN) and arrive at Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Diego to Panama City pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Diego to Panama City most commonly connect through:

    • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) - 87% of one-stop connections
    • Miami (MIA) - 9% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 3% of one-stop connections
    • Los Angeles (LAX) - 1% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Diego to Panama City?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 40% on flights from San Diego to Panama City. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $609 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,005, a difference of $396.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from San Diego to Panama City?

    Only Copa Airlines operates flights between San Diego and Panama City.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from San Diego to Panama City?

    Flying via Los Angeles (LAX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 10h 20m, compared with 10h 26m via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) and 11h 21m via Miami (MIA).

  • What is the time difference between San Diego and Panama City?

    Panama City is 2 hours ahead of San Diego (Eastern Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Panama City?

    Some of the most popular sights in Panama City are ATLAPA Conventions Center, Panama Old Cathedral and Veneto Casino. These are among the most viewed places in Panama City on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Diego to Panama City flights?

    Among airlines operating San Diego to Panama City flights:

    • Copa Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Diego to Panama City flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Copa Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking San Diego to Panama City flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $609, about $396 less than Saturday fares (39% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 14 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 46% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Diego to Panama City trip for November. Fares historically average $463 round-trip in that month - typically $542 less than the most expensive month, which is January (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $583 round-trip on this route - about $114 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Panama City Tocumen Intl Airport.

    • Riande Aeropuerto Hotel & Casino

Prefer to fly direct from San Diego to Panama City?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Diego Airport to Panama City Tocumen Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Diego to Panama City Tocumen Intl

Monday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Wednesday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Friday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Saturday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Sunday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Panama City Tocumen Intl to San Diego

Monday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Wednesday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Friday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Saturday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

Sunday

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Diego to Panama City

Complete your trip to Panama City with a hotel stay or car rental