Self-Drive Car Rental in Panama City, United States

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Choose from 48 pick-up spots

Find cheap car hire in Panama City

These are the lowest Panama City car hire prices we found over the next 30 days and are subject to change.

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Panama City?

Our data shows that December is the cheapest month to rent a car in Panama City. It’s around ₹ 5,942 per day in December, compared to the yearly average of ₹ 8,561 per day.
Cheapest month avgDecember • ₹ 5,942
Yearly avg price₹ 8,561

Select your Panama City pick-up location

There are 48 car hire providers in Panama City. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Panama City

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Panama City. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
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These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

The most popular car rental companies in Panama City

Budget
Turo
Avis
National
Hertz
Dollar

What's the most popular car to hire in Panama City?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Volkswagen Jetta is the most popular car to hire in Panama City, with prices starting from ₹3,509 per day. The Toyota Corolla and similar models are also popular drives in Panama City.
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta25% chose this
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla14% chose this
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai Venue12% chose this
Mazda CX-50
Mazda CX-507% chose this
Most popular carVolkswagen Jetta
Why?Comfortable, practical, good value

Panama City's cheapest car hire providers

Alamo has the cheapest car hire in Panama City right now, with prices from ₹3,540 per day. You'll save an average of ₹888 per day when you book with them.
Alamofrom ₹3,540 per day
Dollarfrom ₹3,853 per day
Budgetfrom ₹4,259 per day
Thriftyfrom ₹5,173 per day
Cheapest providerAlamo
Book with them to save around₹888 per day

Hiring a car in Panama City: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyBudget
Most popular carLarge, fullsize
Average daily price₹ 10,172
Best time to bookLess than 1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Panama City

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Panama City car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Panama City

  • Searching for a cheap rental car in Panama City? With prices averaging ₹ 10,172 a day, your trip is already off to a wallet-friendly start. Whether you're wanting a zippy little number, a spacious SUV, or something else entirely, we round up all the top deals to get you real value.

  • ₹ 3,509 is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental in Panama City.

  • Staying on a bit longer? Pick up a weekly rental from ₹ 24,562 and take the time to discover more.

  • Consider this your cheat code for when to book. Around one week in advance gives you better odds at securing the best price on a Panama City car hire.

  • Check out the offers available with Hertz, Enterprise and Avis. They rank among the city's most trusted providers.

  • The coverage Hertz or another company offers for your Panama City car hire can vary, so always go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.

  • Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved around. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Panama City.

  • Save money on fuel by choosing a vehicle that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up your ride with a full tank and bring it back full, so you only pay for what you use.

  • Hit the road without counting the miles and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you drive as far as you want.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices at ₹ 7,710 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around ₹ 7,788, this provider is next in line.

  • The third option won't break the bank either. You'll pay roughly ₹ 7,085 a day with this supplier.

  • Want a car that handles just about any journey? The Large rental category is the crowd favourite among travellers visiting Panama City.

Flying to Panama City? Think about an airport pick-up

Compare car hire types in Panama City

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Panama City gives you the freedom to explore for less. These agile, fuel-efficient rides are ideal choices for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: A solid choice when you want something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a little extra leg room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and enhanced tech features, this Panama City car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or cruising down long stretches of highway, many offer all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Panama City that fits a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group excursions, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Panama City car hire lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies can differ from one provider to another, so take the time to shop around.

  • Travel smarter when you rent a car in Panama City by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.

Good to know

  • To rent a car in the United States, you generally have to be at least 21 years old. Some providers may offer rentals to younger drivers for a higher rate, so always go over the policies before confirming your booking.

  • Kids coming with you? Car seat laws vary by location, and the best setup may depend on their age, height and weight. Be sure to add the right one to your Panama City car hire booking.

  • You'll be asked for a few things when collecting your rental car: a valid driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. The full set of requirements will be laid out in your booking.

  • If you're unfamiliar with driving in the United States, keep in mind that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.

  • Make sure you stay within the local speed limits. Usually that's around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United States is 0.08%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the only way to be certain you're safe to drive is to skip the drinks.

  • Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run in general. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for everyday expenses and activities. Pay with your card where you can, but carry a little cash when electronic payments aren't possible.

Best hotels in Panama City for drivers

  • Pull in and get ready to relax at Reflections by Panhandle Getaways. Offering parking as well as an outdoor swimming pool and a pool, this hotel is around 6 kilometres from central Panama City.

  • Hotel Indigo Panama City Marina by IHG also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features parking, along with wake-up call services and a 24-hour front desk. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 0.80 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse through the range of hotels in Panama City for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find what works for you. You can also apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Panama City and the right hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. Gulf Coast Aquarium, Inc, Panama City Centre for the ARTS and The Historic McKenzie House are a memorable introduction to what the city has to offer.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Panama City

Frequently asked questions

The average car hire cost in Panama City is ₹ 10,172 per day or ₹ 98,038 for a seven-day rental. If you're looking for a cheap deal, the lowest price we found is ₹ 3,509 per day for Medium hire from Enterprise. Need a specific type of car? Here's how prices compare:
Economy
Average price: ₹ 8,484 per day.
Cheapest price found: ₹ 3,637 per day.
SUV
Average price: ₹ 10,182 per day.
Cheapest price found: ₹ 3,531 per day.
Premium/Luxury
Average price: ₹ 12,203 per day.
Cheapest price found: ₹ 4,771 per day.
The cheapest car to rent in Panama City is Medium, compact. The most popular is Large, fullsize.
The cheapest car hire companies in Panama City are currently Dollar and Thrifty.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Panama City is currently March.
On average, around ₹ 98,038. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Panama City is ₹ 24,562.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Panama City for a whole month is ₹ 371,526. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Panama City, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Panama City that have free cancellation
If you've booked car hire with free cancellation, you can usually cancel or change your booking without paying a fee. The deadline depends on the car hire company, but it's typically around 48 hours before pick-up. If you cancel after that, you may be charged. If your booking doesn't include free cancellation, you'll need to check the car hire company's cancellation policy. Depending on when you cancel, you might have to pay a fee or you won't get a refund.
Yes. Most car hire companies in Panama City offer same-day car hire. If you're looking for last-minute car hire in Panama City, search for today's date on Skyscanner to compare what's available.
The best time to book car hire in Panama City is usually as early as you can. Booking ahead often means cheaper prices and more cars to choose from. You can sometimes find a good last-minute deal, but it's never guaranteed and availability is often more limited.
A good deal for car hire in Panama City is usually around ₹ 7,629 per day or less. That's about 25% cheaper than the average price in Panama City, which is ₹ 10,172 per day. The cheapest price we found in Panama City is ₹ 3,509 per day with Enterprise for Medium car hire.
It depends on the car hire company. Some companies in Panama City will let you drive your hire car abroad, often for an extra fee, while others don't allow it. If you're planning to cross a border, check with the car hire company before you travel. Driving your hire car abroad without permission could invalidate your insurance or break the terms of your rental agreement.
It depends on the car hire company. Some accept debit cards, others require a credit card. Either way, you'll need enough money on your card to cover a security deposit which you'll get back when you return the car.
Electric cars aren't currently available to hire in Panama City. More electric cars are becoming available, so that could change in the future. If you're still looking for a lower-emission option, you can compare hybrid cars on Skyscanner.
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Panama City.
Yes, you can hire a car in Panama City from the age of 21. You'll need a valid driving licence and the usual ID. If you're under 25, you might need to pay a young driver fee, and some car hire companies only let you book certain types of car. When you search on Skyscanner, just enter your age and we'll show you the options available.
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ₹ 3,637 per day. The average price per day is around ₹ 8,484.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Budget, Turo and Avis offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
The best car hire company depends on what's most important to you. If customer ratings are your priority, here are some of the highest-rated car hire companies in Panama City, based on Skyscanner reviews. We've also included their average daily prices to help you compare your options.
Dollar
4.7/5 (from 1 reviews)
Average daily price: ₹ 7,754
Turo
1.0/5 (from 1 reviews)
Average daily price: ₹ 7,126
Budget
1.0/5 (from 1 reviews)
Average daily price: ₹ 10,988
Most people hiring a car in Panama City book it for 6 days. If you're deciding how long to go for, here's what you can expect to pay on average:
1 day: ₹ 10,172
1 week: ₹ 98,038
2 weeks: ₹ 196,076
1 month: ₹ 371,526
If your travel dates are flexible, try changing the dates and number of days when you're comparing prices on Skyscanner. A few extra days can sometimes work out cheaper.
Yes. Most car hire companies in Panama City let you add an extra driver. You usually need to pay an additional driver fee which costs around ₹ 248 per day. The good news is that some companies like Turo include it at no extra cost.
Yes – van hire is available in Panama City.