shonamac

I will be traveling on my own (i.e. one person only) and need to find an economical way to get from the airport to the DoubleTree Hotel in PC. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can avoid taking a taxi and paying mega bucks?

ukdave0

Define mega bucks! It's a long way but taxi fare is relatively cheap. I'm thinking like $25.
There are many buses from airport to the city. You do have to walk a little ways from the departure area to the bus stop, like a 5 minute walk. Buses are crowded and uncomfortable. Not practical with luggage. DoubleTree is a short walk from the main street through the heart of the city.
Rush hour traffic into the city in the morning can be bad, so be prepared.

SJOGuy

Considering the long distance between the airport and the city (15 mi/25 km), a taxi is quite reasonable. The official airport taxis charge a fixed $25 to get to the center of the city where the DoubleTree is.

As ukdave mentions, the public bus is inconvenient and uncomfortable. I wouldn't even call it an airport bus. It's a bus that passes kind of, sort of near the airport. You'd have to walk to catch it. There's no place for luggage.

PTY is Tocumen. Tucuman is a city in Argentina.

benzemalyonnais

The ride isn't as long as you might think, but isn't a bad value, mainly considering how how and sweaty one would get to their hotel using public transportation

The DT is in an easy to find location, right across from the Iglesia del Carmen.

If you really want to take the bus....it's not that hard. I did it once because I find these kinds of experiences fun, and because I'm comfortable in Panama.

You'll have to walk outside of the terminal - past the parking lot - you'll see a covered walkway going towards the main street. The bus is $1.25 and you should get the one going towards Albrook, and should say either Albrook or Corredor Sur. The bus should go down Balboa Avenue, where you can get off and walk 15 minutes to the DT or take a taxi for 5 minutes.

The issue is that the bus only accepts a Metrocard, and those can't be bought at the airport. You'll have to ask someone before getting on the bus to swipe you, and then pay them the $1.25 or more. Panamanians are friendly and willing, but this might be a hassle without any Spanish knowledge.

Another new idea which I haven't tried is the new Metro in Panama. It just opened, and has a stop right outside the Doubletree - Estación Iglesia del Carmen. Take the bus all the way to Albrook and then change there to the metro. I've seen the trains, and they look nice - kind of like the new subways in China.

shonamac

Thanks everybody for the responses. While $25 may not be unreasonable for a 15 mile ride, I was hoping to find a Panamanian version of SuperShuttle for about $10-12. Going by your responses, I guess that is out.

Are there any other options when returning to the airport, that offer a good price without roughing it out too much. I will not have any luggage beyond a carry-on roller.

PS. Off topic, but does anyone know why I should not stay at the DoubleTree? And how does it compare with the Hampton Inn in PC?

SJOGuy

I'm not aware there's a Hampton Inn in Panama. A Hampton by Hilton will open this summer. Is that what you mean?

Heading back to the airport, a taxi will be your best bet as well.

ukdave0

Never stayed at the PC DT but walked by it a few times. Seems like a perfectly nice place. It's really about what you are looking to do. It's in the middle of the city and ok for walking around for some souvenir shopping or casinos. The bigger shopping malls, old town, and canal are all a taxi drive away (very cheap). I walked from a hotel near the DT to the mall and old town but you need to enjoy walking as it is a long way (it will be hot, humid, and probably rainy).

benzemalyonnais

I've stayed at the DT. It's not bad, but it's nothing special. I find the new HGI next door to be a bit better, although the rooms are smaller. The Hampton isn't opening until August 1st, and the location is pretty much the same as all the others. The Waldorf is the best of the Hilton properties in Panama, although I wouldn't be surprised if the new Hilton is just as nice (and with a better view). All of them are usually under $100 except the Waldorf, which is usually available at $85+20k.

SJOGuy

The Metro is gorgeous. I had a chance to use it a couple of weeks ago. From the visitor's perspective, the scope is still limited with just one line. It's not going to get you near the Casco Viejo/San Felipe without depositing you in a dodgy part of town first. But more lines are on the way, and kudos to Panama for constructing this. Would that we get something similar here in San Jose, Costa Rica, one day. Hahahahaha.

My advice to the OP still stands: Take a taxi from airport to hotel and be done with it.

advancepsy

Just returned from Panama. I agree that the taxi is THE way to go. Don't use the bus (i.e., Red Devils). The road to Tocumen from downtown is under construction nearly ALL the way. Thus, leave yourself plenty of time. There are plenty of shops at Tocumen past security if you arrive early.