Panama City car hire
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Panama City car hire information
| Pick-up location | Panama City |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Hire locations | 12 |
| Airport locations | 7 |
Cheap car hire in Panama City
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People carrier |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Panama City
- Car rentals in Panama City will allow greater access to several shorelines, including Bunkers Cove and West Beach Drive along Saint Andrews Bay. Neither of these attractions has many stops from the Bay Town Trolley, the public transit service, and are easier to access with a personal vehicle. Considering you will be surrounded by sunny coastline, your beach trips will be simpler and more convenient with the benefit of a Panama City car rental, instead of trying to carry everything onto a trolley or bus. There are nearly 100 public access points along Panama City Beach that you can reach with a personal vehicle, conveniently located within walking distance of the sand.
- Panama City is primarily serviced by Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), which offers rental cars on-site at the rental car counters located on the main floor of the terminal. As the midpoint between Pensacola and Tallahassee, travelers staying in Panama City might also be flying into Pensacola International Airport (PNS) or Tallahassee International Airport (TLH), both of which offer rental cars at the counters on the main floor of their terminals.
- Expect plenty of pedestrians as you drive through the city, particularly along beaches. With long, humid summers that make for easy walking weather, watch for jaywalking or careless pedestrians along the shores of Panama City Beach. On weekends and holidays, these areas can become particularly crowded with beachgoers wanting to enjoy the party atmosphere.
- The heaviest traffic you will encounter in Panama City will generally be on sunny days, especially weekends, as you make your way across the Hathaway Bridge and along Panama City Beach. If you are visiting during hurricane season, from June until November, monitor weather forecasts and use caution if forced to drive during heavy rain or strong winds. When traveling during rainy weather, drive slowly, turn gradually, and give yourself extra space to stop.
- Book your car hire in Panama City at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Intermediate car hire in Panama City are around 11% cheaper than other car types, on average
Panama City car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about hiring a car in Panama City
What type of car is recommended for driving in Panama City?
The recommended car rentals in Panama City are standard or full-size cars. Since you will not be driving through narrow streets, but could still encounter a busy environment along the shores of Panama City Beach, these models will provide a blend of maneuverability and comfort. It will also allow you the storage room to pack materials for a full day of beach enjoyment.
What’s the speed limit in Panama City?
The typical speed limit in Panama City for a residential neighborhood or business district is 25mph. Major roads, such as Highway 98 that connects Panama City and Panama City Beach, have limits of around 45mph. Stay under the limit when you pass Panama City Beach, as the police presence in the area is concentrated to ensure a safe environment for beachgoers.
Where are the best places to park in Panama City?
With nearly 100 public beach access points along the shores of Panama City Beach, you have plenty of options to choose from when looking for a parking spot. The majority of these access points have free public parking, though you should check the beach flag warning system before parking and walking to the beach. These flags indicate the safety of the water at each access point, and the presence of the double-red flag means that you should find another spot on the beach since that access point is closed to the public. In downtown Panama City, you can find over 4,000 spots along the streets and in designated lots. These spots can vary in cost depending on their proximity to the downtown area but typically cost around $1 for an hour. They also have a variety of time limits, with certain spots in the heart of downtown only allowing a maximum of 2h.
How much is the price of fuel in Panama City?
The average price of fuel in Panama City is €3.63 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €43 and €58, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Panama City?
Intermediate (Nissan Rogue or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Panama City.
How can I find car hires near me in Panama City?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Panama City?
An Intermediate car hire in Panama City costs €70 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Panama City?
A Mini car hire in Panama City costs €117 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Panama City?
An Economy car hire in Panama City costs €60 per day, on average.
Panama City car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
8.6
Very Good
124 reviewsCleanliness
8.9
Comfort
9.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.6
Value for money
8.3
One location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
6300 West Bay Pkwy
+1 844 370 3972
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2023
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Reserved a car through Priceline for Panama Beach to be picked up at the airport. Our original flight was cancelled and we arrived 3 hours later than originally planned. The rental company counters were all extremely busy, and I could overhear a lot of people trying to rent cars who had not made reservations, so I was worried they might not have held our reservation for us but they still had our reservation, and the type of vehicle we requested.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
This was the first time we used Alamo car rental. The customer service was phenomenal.4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Cons:
Mini van was filthy. Food caked to back seat . Really bad odor to vehicle. Alamo did compensate part of the rental back2.0 Poor
Jan 2021
Cons:
They overbooked cars and didn’t have a car for me, leaving me stranded with my kids after an entire day of flying.Budget
7.1
Good
100 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.9
2 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
6300 West Bay Parkway
+1 850 763 0108
731 North Highway 231
+1 850 769 2449
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very Good
Mar 2024
8.0 Very Good
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.5
Good
71 reviewsCleanliness
8.1
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.9
Value for money
7.2
3 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
1104 W 15th St
+1 850 872 9206
2024 W 23rd St
+1 850 747 1110
6300 West Bay Pkwy
+1 833 740 1725
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Fast and friendlyCons:
Price10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Pros:
Fast and efficientCons:
No issues8.8 Very Good
Nov 2020
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful.Cons:
Information on how to drop off2.0 Poor
Oct 2020
Cons:
Did bot have the car promised 3 times, substitute was not workable due to a seat maintenance problem but they tried to rent it to me anywayAvis
7.3
Good
51 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
7.3
2 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
6300 West Bay Parkway
+1 850 769 1411
731 North Highway 231
+1 850 914 3090
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Jan 2024
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Nice leather good price. Good gas mileage.Cons:
One ac vent broke couldn’t adjust, smell terrible like smoke, burns and peeling on plastic pieces in dash and looks like someone spilled milk in the ac vents6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
The car was dirty and had registration that was 6 months overdue.8.0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly and helpful.Cons:
I would have chosen differently had I known that I would have a beetle instead of the Kia. Changing was painless however.4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2021
Pros:
easy processCons:
I was talked into an upgrade and it made it sound like it was of no extra charge. I was then charged for the upgrade making my price way higher than I was comfortable with.8.0 Very Good
Mar 2021
Pros:
Nice car,Cons:
The tire pressure gauge did not work properly.Hertz
6.1
Okay
87 reviewsCleanliness
6.5
Comfort
6.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
5.9
2 locations in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
2106 W 15th Street
+1 850 913 9112
6401 West Bay Parkway
+1 850 235 2201
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Apr 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
6.0 Okay
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Car was really nice.Cons:
When I rented I could have sworn it said I was renting from the Panama City Airport but not so. We had to take a cab to the Hertz location somewhere in the middle of town. Airport Hertz said there was no way to change it. It was logistically challenging. Kayak or Hertz should do a better job of clarifying that the rental is not at the airport.National
5.0
Fair
4 reviewsCleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
5.0
One location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
6300 West Bay Pkwy
+1 844 370 3973
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
After I booked the car the agent from national in Panama City airport called me and told me they were sold out so I was on my way to the airport thinking I had a car but I didn’tCons:
Maybe you could be a little more organized with your inventory8.0 Very Good
Dec 2019
Cons:
Truck was dirty but service before and after was greatSunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Panama City
Locations in Panama City
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Panama City
Good to know
Most popular car type | Intermediate |
|---|
When to book a car hire in Panama City
Car hire insurance in Panama City
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver
Some Panama City car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Panama City.
Deductible
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Panama City car hire.