Flying from Houston to Panama City: what you need to know
Houston is home to a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Houston to Panama City flying out of Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH) or Houston Hobby Airport (HOU).
Arrive in Panama City at Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Balboa Airport (BLB).
Jump on a direct Houston to Panama City flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 4 hours 15 minutes.
Panama City's timezone is UTC-5, making Panama City one hour ahead of Houston.
With 19 flights a week between the two airports, Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH) to Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is the most popular route. Hop on the first flight from Houston to Panama City with United Airlines at 09:34. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight from IAH to PTY is with United Airlines at 14:27.
Leave plenty of time to get on your Houston to Panama City flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer lines in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Panama City
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap Houston to Panama City flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your plane ticket from Houston to Panama City.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Houston to Panama City.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Houston to Panama City flights.
Flying from Houston
Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Houston to Panama City, you can leave from Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport (IAH). Fly from IAH to Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in one continuous trip.
Lock in your Houston to Panama City plane tickets with United Airlines. This carrier is a popular option for direct flights from IAH.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Houston to Panama City flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
Bogota Airport (BOG)
Cancun Airport (CUN)
Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo Airport (MTY)
Travelling from central Houston to IAH takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After an easy start to your trip? Stay near Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Houston to Panama City or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of the departures from Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport, 79% land on time at their destination.
IAH is located at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)
Break up your Houston to Panama City flight with a stop so you can recharge or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some popular stopovers between Houston Hobby Airport and Panama City are:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Cancun Airport (CUN)
HOU is around 16 kilometres from central Houston. It takes 20 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Houston to Panama City, take it easy in one of these hotels near Houston Hobby Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Houston Hobby Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 79%.
You'll find HOU at 7800 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Panama City
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
The distance from Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to central Panama City is approximately 18 kilometres. It'll take you about 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Houston to Panama City. Book one of these accommodation options near PTY instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Panama City Tocumen International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Avis, Dollar or MEX and explore beyond Panama City's usual tourist stops.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from Panama City Tocumen International Airport around three weeks ahead of your Houston to Panama City flight.
Panama City Paitilla Airport (PAC)
Panama City Paitilla Airport (PAC) is approximately 5 kilometres from central Panama City. Check out your options for heading into town after your flight from Houston to Panama City has landed.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to PAC. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Houston to Panama City:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting in a long taxi line. Pick up a Panama City Paitilla Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Compare offers from Thrifty, Avis and Alamo.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from PAC three weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Balboa Airport (BLB)
Balboa Airport (BLB) is roughly 5 kilometres from central Panama City. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the city centre by taxi or ride-share once you've hopped off your flight from Houston to Panama City.
If you're using public transport, the journey time is around 20 minutes.
Start your journey without stressing about how to reach your next stop with a Balboa Airport rental car. Book your ideal wheels with trusted suppliers here like Sixt, Dollar and Thrifty.
Around one week ahead of your flight from Houston to Panama City is the ideal time to book your vehicle from BLB. You're more likely to lock in a better rate or pick up some early bird promotions.
Best time to go to Panama City
March is the quietest month for flights from Houston to Panama City, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to Panama City based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book a Houston to Panama City ticket departing in March if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Panama City to range from 21ºC to 32ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Houston to Panama City in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 31ºC.
More about Panama City
Once you've booked your flight from Houston to Panama City, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Panama City:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to start. San Felipe, Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient and Independence Square are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Panama City itinerary.