PTY Airport to Casco Viejo — Every Option Explained

You've just landed at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and you need to get to Casco Viejo. Good news: the distance is only 25km and the journey takes 25–40 minutes under normal traffic. You have four options — Uber, official taxi, metro, and bus. This guide breaks down each one honestly, so you can choose what actually suits your trip.

Uber operates fully and legally in Panama City and is the go-to option for most international travelers. Transparent pricing, no negotiation, air-conditioned cars, and direct door-to-door service to your accommodation in Casco Viejo.

Important: Uber vehicles are not allowed to pick up passengers at the arrivals curb. You need to exit the terminal and walk to the designated rideshare pickup zone — look for signs marked "Transporte App" or check the Uber app for the precise pin location. It's about a 3–5 minute walk from baggage claim, usually between parking columns P17 and P18 at Terminal 2.

You need data to use Uber. Buy a local SIM card at the airport arrivals hall (recommended — fast, cheap, solves everything) or connect to the free "Tocumen Free WiFi" network in the terminal to request your ride before walking to the pickup zone.

Local tip: DiDi and Cabify are available alternatives to Uber in Panama City. Prices are similar. Cabify allows you to schedule a pickup in advance, which is useful for early morning flights.

The official yellow airport taxis operate from a staffed booth just outside the arrivals hall — no need to walk anywhere. Tell the attendant your destination (Casco Viejo), pay the fixed fare, and receive a voucher to hand to your driver. Fixed rates eliminate the risk of being overcharged: Casco Viejo is $35.

When to choose the taxi over Uber: if you don't have data on arrival, if you're arriving late at night and want zero friction, or if you're traveling with a lot of luggage and don't want to walk to the rideshare zone.

Panama City has Central America's only metro system — clean, modern, and very cheap. The route from the airport to Casco Viejo involves: a bus from the airport to a metro station, then two metro transfers to reach Estación 5 de Mayo, then a 15–20 minute walk to Casco Viejo.

Total cost: around $0.60 per person, plus a $2 card (MetroCard or RapiPass) that you need to purchase first. Total time: 70–90 minutes, not including wait times.

Be aware: The E489 bus from the airport requires a 10-minute walk from the terminal to the main road stop. The area around Estación 5 de Mayo — your closest metro stop to Casco Viejo — is busy and the 20-minute walk from there to Casco Viejo goes through mixed-quality streets. Not ideal for first arrivals, especially after dark or with luggage.

Who should take the metro: solo backpackers with light luggage who know the city, or anyone returning (not first-time arrival). For a first trip with suitcases, the $15–20 price difference over Uber simply isn't worth the complexity.

1. Collect your luggage and clear immigration as normal.

2. Before exiting, connect to "Tocumen Free WiFi" and open the Uber app — or buy a local SIM at one of the kiosks in arrivals (recommended).

3. Request your Uber inside the terminal. Set your destination as your hotel or "Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo" as the drop-off.

4. Exit the terminal and follow signs for "Transporte App" — walk toward the parking garage (columns P17–P18 at Terminal 2). Your driver will meet you at the pin shown in the app.

5. Confirm your driver's name and license plate before getting in.

Local tip: Buying a local SIM card at the airport costs around $7–10 and gives you data for your entire trip. It's the single most useful thing you can do on arrival — it solves Uber, Google Maps, WhatsApp, and everything else in one purchase.