Tocumen International Airport is the main entry point for Panama, located just 24km (15 miles) from the centre of Panama City.
There are quite a few shops at the airport and a number of restaurants. The airport is also well serviced by taxis that wait outside the arrivals area and transport you to your hotel or guesthouse in town.
Flights to Tocumen International Airport can be booked on a number of airlines, including Copa Airlines, which uses the airport as a regional hub. The airport is connected to most major cities across Central and South America.
As one of the busiest airports in Central America, Tocumen International Airport is a popular stopover for passengers travelling to South America. It is also a great gateway for tourists embarking on a holiday in Panama. Tocumen International Airport has recently been revamped and offers a decent range of passenger amenities and conveniences
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Bus: Public buses stop on the main road, which is a five-minute walk from the airport. The buses are marked “Espana Tocumen” and generally run every five minutes or so between 4am and 8pm, daily. Tickets cost approximately $0.30. However, this service is not recommended.
Taxis: Taxis are the safest and only recommended way to travel to and from Tocumen International Airport. The official airport taxis at Tocumen Airport are called the Tourist Taxi Service (tel: (507) 238 4305). It is best to use these taxis and avoid any other operator that may approach you. Rates to Panama City start at $25 for up to two people. For three or more people the rate goes up to $10 per person.
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Parking is located in front of the terminal. Charges are levied per minute and start at $0.03 per minute for the first hour, $0.02 per minute from one to five hours and $0.01 per minute thereafter.
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Money and communications: A bank is located at the airport and an ATM can be found on the departures floor of the airport. There are also public telephones throughout the terminal. A currency exchange facility is reputed to be available.
Luggage: Baggage carts are only available in certain parts of the airport, such as the customs area of arrivals. After that, passengers needing assistance should approach one of the porters.
Conference and business: The airport’s business centre is located on the ground floor. Internet, telephone and cable services are provided. There are also two VIP lounges, which provide limited business facilities. Access to the Tocumen Royal Saloon VIP Lounge costs between $25 and $50. For conferences, the closest hotel to Tocumen International Airport is Hotel Riande Aeropuerto (tel: (507) 291 9012). It has meeting rooms, conference facilities and a business centre.
Other facilities: A clinic, cable and wireless telephone services, faxing facilities, porters and duty-free shopping on arrival and departure. The airport is also partially accessible for passengers with disabilities, but it is recommended that passengers contact their airline ahead of time.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is not currently available at the airport. Internet services are available for a fee of $2.50 per hour, but the connection is very slow.
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