Tocumen International Airport Voyage Tips and guide

Tocumen International Airport (PTY  ^IATA) is the main airport of Panama. It is also the busiest airport in Central America, with flights to Europe, North America, South America, and many parts of the Caribbean. Copa Airlines uses Tocumen as its main hub, which the airline calls the Hub of the Americas.

Map of Tocumen International Airport

The airport has two terminals, connected by a free shuttle bus and enclosed walkways. Terminal 1 was inaugurated in the 1970s, while Terminal 2 opened in April 2019. The airport began operations in the 1940s, shortly after World War II. It is located in the San Miguelito District, 32 km northeast of Panama City. Although it has been incorporated as a separate city, in practice it functions as part of the capital’s metropolitan area. Tocumen was built as a U.S. airbase during the 1940s.

• Tocumen International Airport

Tocumen is one of the few large hub airports which allows for sterile transit without requiring all connecting passengers to undergo another security screening. All passengers exit directly into the airside area of the terminal and can walk immediately to their next flight. Passengers will undergo immigration and customs inspection only if they choose to exit the airport.

However, to ensure that all passengers departing for the United States have been thoroughly screened to strict American standards regardless of origin, Tocumen operates security screening checkpoints at all gates for U.S.-bound flights.

The airport is a hub for Copa Airlines, and is also served by American Airlines (Dallas/Ft.Worth, Miami Airport); Delta Air Lines (Atlanta Airport); United Airlines (Houston Intercontinental, Newark Liberty Airport); Avianca (Bogotá, Colombia, San José (Costa Rica), San Salvador and Managua). Most major Central American airlines, and several South American airlines and European airlines also fly here.

Tocumen is the biggest and best connected airport in mainland Central America.

• There are at least six daily flights to and from Miami, two from Orlando and Atlanta, 5 weekly flights from Tampa, three daily flights from Houston Intercontinental, two from Newark, and one daily flight each from New York JFK, Chicago O' Hare, Washington-Dulles, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, and Montreal.
• There are daily flights to Mexico City; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Caracas, Venezuela; Santiago, Chile; Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Asunción, Paraguay; Havana, Cuba; Kingston, Jamaica, at least 7 Colombian cities (Medellín, Cali, Pereira and Bogotá included) and several international destinations.
• There's also service to Madrid Barajas Airport with Iberia and service to Amsterdam Schiphol with KLM.
• Air China operates a special twice-weekly flight to Beijing via Houston-Intercontinental on which, due to fifth freedom rules, the Houston-Panama City flight can be booked. This flight can be a great deal cheaper than other flights on this route, although the competition has caught on with its pricing. Nevertheless, a ride in a widebody with seatback screens and free meals can be much better than the narrowbody jets normally used.
• Note that Copa operates out of both terminals. When flying to David you use terminal 1, via a separate smaller building and check-in counter area, which is at the far end of the main terminal.
• However, regardless of which terminal you arrive at, Copa sends all international baggage for arriving passengers only to baggage claim in terminal 2 and requires all Copa passengers to pass through immigration and customs inspections only in terminal 2. Do not attempt to exit through terminal 1 if you are arriving in Panama on Copa. Signage and personnel in terminal 1 will remind you of this.
• When flying in, consider sitting on the left side window seat if you can. For most approaches from the west you'll get a good view of the canal and the city.

There is a free shuttle bus between terminal 1 and terminal 2.

The terminal is connected to the MiBus urban bus system, which provides access to various parts of the city at an affordable cost. To use this service, a Metrobus or RapiPass card is required; both are rechargeable. The bus stop is located in front of Terminals 1 and 2.

Fares and payment methods:

• Rechargeable card cost: $2.00
• Regular fare: $0.25
• Express fare: $1.25

The airport is connected to Line 2 of the Panama Metro, which can be accessed directly from Terminal 2. This line goes to San Miguelito Station, where passengers can transfer to Line 1, offering direct access to downtown Panama City and other key areas of the capital.

Fares and payment methods:

• Rechargeable card cost: $2.00
• Credit and debit cards are also accepted.
• Line 2 fare: $0.50
• Line 1 fare: $0.35

From the airport, travelers can take a taxi or request a ride through transportation apps such as Uber or InDrive, which typically offer more competitive rates. Taxi fares vary depending on the destination and traffic conditions, but generally cost around $30. If the ride is shared with two or more passengers, the cost can be reduced to $10 to $20 per person.

Car rental services are also available at the airport, ideal for those seeking greater flexibility during their stay.

All on-airport car rental companies are still based at terminal 1. This can be difficult for international passengers arriving on Copa Airlines who are required to pass through terminal 2 to enter the country of Panama. Due to space constraints in terminal 2, it is possible for a Copa passenger to arrive at terminal 1, walk over to terminal 2 to formally enter Panama, and walk back to terminal 1 with their baggage (or take the shuttle bus) to obtain a rental car. The total walk distance is about 2 km (1.24 mi). Then they have to do the sequence in reverse to return the rental car and leave the country. If you are traveling on Copa and plan to use a rental car to get around Panama, you must determine which terminals your flights regularly arrive and depart from, then budget for plenty of time for this scenario.

The airport is compact enough to walk through. The terminals are connected by a 170-meter pedestrian corridor, or you can use the free external shuttle bus.

• The Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network: Located in Terminal 1 (VIP).
• Tocumen Royal Saloon: Located in Terminal 1.
• Copa Club: Located in both terminals.

• Tierra Firme.
• Air Margaritaville Panama.
• Olive Garden.

• Non e un Ciao Ragazzi.
• Subway.

• Bar 770.
• Viena Café.
• Krispy Kreme.
• Cafe Maritano's.
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Both terminals have extensive options in their second-level airside food courts.

Over 40 stores are available for your convenience, including fashion, jewelry, gift, perfume, liquor, tobacco, and electronic shops.

The airport offers free, basic Wi-Fi for 30 minutes. Other paid plans are also available starting at $3 for an extra 30 minutes. If you plan to use Uber/Cabify, wait until you are curbside to activate your free 30-minutes of WiFi or else you'll be forced to pay for the connection (You could work around this by using a different device).

• 9.06983-79.393981 Crowne Plaza Panama Airport, Ave. Domingo Diaz, Tocumen (1.9 km from the airport), toll-free: +1-877-424-4188. Gym, outdoor pool, Jetstream Restaurant. From $110.  (updated May 2018)
• 9.07068-79.40232 Riande Aeropuerto, Via Tocumen, entrance to the Corredor Sur Panama (2.6 km from the airport), ☏ +507 291 9000, [email protected]. Free shuttle to and from the airport every 30 minutes 24 hours a day. 4 restaurants and lounge bar, transfer to shopping centers, gym & health club. From $92.  (updated May 2018)

• Panama City