Travelling from Panama City to Mexico City: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Panama City. Check out your options leaving from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB) when booking your flight from Panama City to Mexico City.
Step off your plane in Mexico City at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) or Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU).
Jump on a direct Panama City to Mexico City flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 3 hours 50 minutes.
Mexico City's timezone is UTC-6, making Mexico City one hour behind Panama City.
The busiest route for flights from Panama City to Mexico City is from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). Take your pick of 48 services every week between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from PTY to MEX is the 09:11 Copa Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the latest available service is at 22:19 with Copa Airlines.
To ensure you don't miss your Panama City to Mexico City flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Travelling during a peak time like June? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Panama City to Mexico City
To score cheap Panama City to Mexico City flights, book your trip seven months before your departure date.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Panama City to Mexico City is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Panama City to Mexico City couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a better deal is available.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Panama City to Mexico City flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Set off from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and fly straight through to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) or Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU). If you're looking for a direct flight from Panama City to Mexico City out of PTY, those are your final stops.
Aeromexico is a popular carrier that offers direct Panama City to Mexico City plane tickets leaving from PTY.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even explore another city. When searching for Panama City to Mexico City flights leaving from Tocumen International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL)
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
PTY is around 18 kilometres from central Panama City. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
Have an early flight from Panama City to Mexico City? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Tocumen International Airport:
Tocumen International Airport maintains a strong on-time performance, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from PTY arrive at their destination as scheduled 86.03% of the time.
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
Split up your Panama City to Mexico City flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Panama Pacifico Airport and Mexico City include:
El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE)
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
BLB is about 11 kilometres from central Panama City. It'll take 20 minutes or so to reach the airport driving from the city centre.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Panama City to Mexico City, unwind in one of these hotels near Panama Pacifico Airport:
Panama Pacifico Airport has a reputation for reliability and timeliness. 87% of flights taking off from here arrive right on target.
Arriving in Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is approximately 6 kilometres from the centre of Mexico City. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 25 minutes.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel near MEX if you're coming in on a late flight from Panama City to Mexico City. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and explore beyond Mexico City's main sights.
Secure the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from Benito Juarez International Airport about four weeks before your travel date.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
After your flight from Panama City to Mexico City has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Mexico City is roughly 32 kilometres from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU).
The trip will take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport.
Unpack your bags not long after your flight from Panama City to Mexico City at Holiday Inn & Suites Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport. This comfortable accommodation option is a quick drive from NLU.
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Europcar, MEX or Keddy By Europcar and set off in the blink of an eye.
Get the pick of the lot. Securing your ride from NLU one week ahead of time often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Mexico City
July is the most popular month for flights from Panama City to Mexico City. To steer clear of the crowds, go to Mexico City in April.
The warmest month in Mexico City is April, with temperatures ranging between 10ºC (50ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Lock in your Panama City to Mexico City ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for cheap flights from Panama City to Mexico City around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Mexico City
After booking your flight from Panama City to Mexico City, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Mexico City:
Zocalo and Chapultepec Park are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Mexico City itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at National Museum of Anthropology.
Explore more of Mexico
Ecatepec de Morelos is just one of the many cities in Mexico waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Mexico City. Around 21 kilometres to the north-east, popular attractions include Grupo Scout 360 Aztlan, mirador del Valle Park and Kinder casanueva.
Guadalajara is another well-known destination in Mexico and is around 467 kilometres west of Mexico City. No journey is complete without dropping by Guadalajara Cathedral, Teatro Degollado and Portales Tlaquepaque Park.
