PTY · Panama City, Panama · International Hub
Tocumen International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Tocumen International Airport (PTY), every figure cited to the airport's own data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 2 terminals, airside-connected
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: 1 hr before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
- To Panama City: about 35 min one-way
- Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Tocumen International Airport has 2 terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. OAG floors are 30 domestic, 60 domestic-to-international, and 90 for both international sectors. Panama has almost no domestic network, so the airport is overwhelmingly an international-to-international connecting hub. Copa files faster figures for its own bank, around 60 minutes, because the connection stays airside within the connected complex. A change between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is the only real friction, and even that is a short connector or shuttle.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (connected complex)
2 airlines: Copa Airlines, United Airlines
Copa Airlines runs its 'Hub of the Americas' here, with landside check-in in Terminal 2 (opened 2019-2022, a US$780M expansion with 20 gates). Terminals 1 and 2 are joined airside by a pedestrian connector and by a free landside shuttle (~8-10 min, 5am-11pm), so a Copa connection through the hub stays within one connected complex. Most traffic is international-to-international between North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 30 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 30 min
- International to international
- 1 hr 30 min
- Transfer system
- Two terminals (T1 and T2) joined airside by a pedestrian connector, plus a free landside shuttle (~8-10 min, 5am-11pm). Copa Airlines bases its hub here with check-in in T2; a same-airline connection through the hub stays within the connected complex.
- Airside connected
- Yes
Layover helper
Check whether your layover at PTY is tight, comfortable, or long enough to leave the airport. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Security & TSA
Typical TSA wait at PTY is 25 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.
- TSA PreCheck
- Not available
- CLEAR
- Not available
- Global Entry
- Not available
No US preclearance or US programs. International-to-international transit passengers connect airside within the connected complex; some nationalities require a transit visa for Panama.
Lounges
2 notable lounges at PTY, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.
Copa Club
Terminal 2Copa Airlines / Star Alliance
Access: Business, ConnectMiles elite, Star Gold
Amenities: Buffet, Bar, Wi-Fi
VIP Lounge (The Lounge)
Terminal 2Contract / card-access
Access: Priority Pass, eligible cards, paid day pass
Amenities: Buffet, Bar, Wi-Fi
Amenities
7 of 7 core amenities available at PTY: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Available
Premium lounges
Sleep pods
Available
Sleep boxes in Terminal 2
WiFi
Free (good)
Free wifi throughout
Nursing rooms
Available
Both terminals
Chapel
Available
Chapel / prayer room
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Terminal 2: Nacion Sushi, Local Panamanian cafes
Ground transport to Panama City
PTY is about 35 min from downtown Panama City by the fastest transit option.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 2 (Aeropuerto station) Subway The Aeropuerto metro station (Line 2 spur, opened March 2023) serves Tocumen; reach central Panama City by transferring from Line 2 to Line 1, roughly 30 to 45 minutes total. Fare a couple of US dollars (Panama uses the US dollar). | $1-$2 | 30-45 min |
| Taxi Taxi About USD 30 to 40 to central Panama City; ~24 km, 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. | $30-$40 | 25-40 min |
Parking
PTY does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; on-airport parking is priced dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Panama uses the US dollar; rates via tocumenpanama.aero.
- Short-term
- Varies
- Long-term
- Varies
- Economy
- Not available
- Valet
- Not available
Can I leave PTY during a layover?
With a 3-hour layover, stay inside PTY. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Panama City. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 10 min plus re-screening on return.
Central Panama City is about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi, or by metro with a Line 2-to-Line 1 transfer. Most travelers here are international-to-international transit passengers who stay airside in the connected complex. Some nationalities need a transit visa to enter Panama.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$Riu Plaza Panama (city) / on-airport hotelsNear airport
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at PTY?
Arrive at least 60 minutes before a domestic flight from PTY, and 150 minutes before an international flight.
What is the minimum connection time at PTY?
PTY requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.
How long does it take to get between terminals at PTY?
Budget 12 min for same-terminal transfers and 20 min for different-terminal transfers at PTY via Two terminals (T1 and T2) joined airside by a pedestrian connector, plus a free landside shuttle (~8-10 min, 5am-11pm). Copa Airlines bases its hub here with check-in in T2; a same-airline connection through the hub stays within the connected complex.. OAG floors are 30 domestic, 60 domestic-to-international, and 90 for both international sectors. Panama has almost no domestic network, so the airport is overwhelmingly an international-to-international connecting hub. Copa files faster figures for its own bank, around 60 minutes, because the connection stays airside within the connected complex. A change between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is the only real friction, and even that is a short connector or shuttle.
Can I leave PTY during a 6-hour layover?
With 3 hours you should stay inside PTY. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 70 minutes plus re-screening. Central Panama City is about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi, or by metro with a Line 2-to-Line 1 transfer. Most travelers here are international-to-international transit passengers who stay airside in the connected complex. Some nationalities need a transit visa to enter Panama.
Does PTY have showers?
Yes, PTY has showers at Premium lounges.
Does PTY have sleep pods?
Yes. Sleep boxes in Terminal 2 offers private sleep rooms.
Is WiFi free at PTY?
Yes. PTY offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free wifi throughout
What is the cheapest way to get from PTY to Panama City?
The cheapest option is typically Metro Line 2 (Aeropuerto station) at $1-$2, taking 30-45 minutes. The Aeropuerto metro station (Line 2 spur, opened March 2023) serves Tocumen; reach central Panama City by transferring from Line 2 to Line 1, roughly 30 to 45 minutes total. Fare a couple of US dollars (Panama uses the US dollar).
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at PTY?
PTY does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes. No US preclearance or US programs. International-to-international transit passengers connect airside within the connected complex; some nationalities require a transit visa for Panama.
Where should I eat at PTY during a layover?
Notable dining at PTY includes Nacion Sushi (Terminal 2), Local Panamanian cafes (Terminal 2).
How much does parking cost at PTY?
PTY does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; rates are set dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Panama uses the US dollar; rates via tocumenpanama.aero.
Is there a hotel at PTY for overnight layovers?
The closest option is Riu Plaza Panama (city) / on-airport hotels (Near airport, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan. For shorter rest stops, PTY also offers Sleep boxes in Terminal 2.
Are there pet relief areas at PTY?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Is there a chapel or prayer room at PTY?
Yes. Chapel / prayer room.
Compare PTY to other airports
See how PTY ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
Airlines operating at PTY
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of PTY.
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Sources & verification
- overview: https://tocumenpanama.aero
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tocumen_International_Airport
Verified Jun 2026. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Tocumen International Airport before flying.