Bus options from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to downtown Panama City
Various sources claim that it's impossible to get a Metrobus card for the bus from Tocumen to Panama City. However, these sources are old enough to mention the Red Devil buses.
What is the current situation? How can one get a Metrobus card and thus pay far less than a taxi from PTY to Panama City? Are there other comparable options?
Best Answer
The METROBUS Card can only be purchased in the selected Point of Sales and Recharge (POS). Unfortunately, at the time of writing, according to the METROBUS website it would seem that there is no METROBUS POS at Tocumen Airport. Here is an up-to-date list of these POS from the METROBUS website. However this online newspaper article from La Prensa dating 2013 mentions a that the sale of METROBUS cards at the airport is a service which has long been delayed and seems to be available now:
Al menos ya se cuenta con la venta de tarjetas y centro de recarga dentro de la terminal aérea, servicio que fue demorado por bastante tiempo.
Personally I wouldn't know which source to believe more seeing as there is a general lack of information available online regarding public transport in Panama.
Note that there are indeed buses from Tocumen to Panama City. See the Spanish version of the Public Transport page on the airport website for more details. The cost of a full-fare ride into Panama City is of 0.25PAB for the slow buses (Troncales), which run on toll-free roads and take longer (ca. 2h) to reach Panama City, as opposed to 1.25PAB for the faster buses (Corredores), which take toll roads and reach Panama City considerably faster. See the Tarifas page of the METROBUS website for more details.
Turns out you can't board a bus without swiping your METROBUS card first. What other websites suggest is to ask for locals to swipe theirs for you in exchange for a bit more than the nominal bus fee.
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How do I get from Panama airport to downtown?
The fastest way to get from Tocumen Airport to Panama City is to shuttle which takes 16 min and costs $36. Is there a direct train between Tocumen Airport and Panama City? Yes, there is a direct train departing from Las Ma\xf1anitas and arriving at Paraiso. Services depart every five minutes, and operate every day.How do I get from PTY to Panama City?
There is no direct connection from Panama City Airport (PTY) to Panama City. However, you can take the shuttle to Metromall, take the walk to Cerro Viento, take the line 2 subway to San Miguelito, then take the line 1 subway to Fernandez de Cordoba.How do I get to the Panama Canal from the airport?
The cheapest way to get from Panama City Airport (PTY) to Panama Canal is to drive which costs $2 - $3 and takes 25 min. What is the fastest way to get from Panama City Airport (PTY) to Panama Canal? The fastest way to get from Panama City Airport (PTY) to Panama Canal is to taxi which takes 25 min and costs $23 - $29.What is the best mode of transportation in Panama?
The most important means of transportation throughout the country is definitely the bus. From the Gran Terminal Nacional in Albrook buses leave in all directions. For longer distances like from Panama City to David you have very big luxurious buses with air condition, comfortable chairs, and entertainment.🇵🇦 How to get from Tocumen International Airport to Panama City 🇵🇦
More answers regarding bus options from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to downtown Panama City
Answer 2
The above answer is correct. You cannot get on the bus without a metrocard swipe. But if you get on the highway (take a bus to the nearest hotel/pay a cab to drop you), then start walking towards the city, the bus drivers will honk at you and pick you up.
The cab fair is generally $30 - never pay more than that. You can also use Uber.
Even if Uber says that there are no drivers available, when the cab drivers ask you for a cab, show them the uber price, which is generally $16 or less and offer $25.
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