Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Canal Zone buses depart from the Albrook terminal to Balboa and Clayton, Miraflores
Locks, and Gamboa, leaving every 45 minutes. In transition, these buses will soon be run
by Metrobus with the same card system.
CAR
Daily rates start from US$35 per day for the most economical cars, including unlimited
kilometers and insurance. The following agencies have branches at both the Albrook and
Tocumen airports.
Avis
(
238-4056;
www.avis.com.pa
)
Budget
(
Tocumen 238-4069;
www.budgetpanama.com
)
Hertz
(
238-3751;
www.hertz.com.pa
)
National
(
238-4144;
www.nationalpanama.com
)
TRAIN
Panama Railway Company
(PCRC; 317-6070;
www.panarail.com
;
Carretera Gaillard; one-
way adult/child US$25/$15)
This glass-domed luxury passenger train takes a lovely ride
from Panama City to Colón daily, leaving at 7:15am and returning at 5:15pm. The train
follows the canal, at times surrounded by nothing but thick vine-strewn jungle. If you
want to relive the heyday of luxury train travel for an hour or two, this is definitely the
way to do it.
Note that the Panama City terminus is actually located in the town of Corazal, a
15-minute cab ride from the capital.
Getting Around
GETTING INTO TOWN
From the Airports
Tocumen International Airport is 35km northeast of the city center. The cheapest way to
get into the city is to exit the terminal, cross the street (to the bus shelter) and catch a bus
to the city. Taxis can be hired at the Transportes Turísticos desk at the airport exit;
they're a much faster means of getting into town, though somewhat costlier. Beside the
desk is a taxi stand, with posted prices (from US$27). Don't be distracted by touts offer-
ing rides at ridiculously high prices; they take their cut from the taxis.
