Flying from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG): What you need to know
Panama City is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG) leaving from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB).
Around 1 hour 15 minutes is the usual time it takes for a direct Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport flight.
Panama City and Cartagena (where Rafael Nunez International Airport is located) share the UTC-5 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch when you land.
The most popular route is from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), with 28 direct services every week. If you're not one for hanging around, the earliest flight from PTY to CTG is the 7:06am Copa Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 9:44pm with Copa Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Be at the airport with enough time to board your flight from Panama City to CTG.
Peak season means busier airports, so plan to arrive even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to stick to your schedule.
Airports in Panama City
Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Go straight to your destination from Tocumen International Airport (PTY). Nonstop flights from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG) can be booked from here.
When taking off from PTY, you can catch a direct flight from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport with Copa Airlines.
Copa Airlines is the airline most travellers choose for flights from PTY to CTG.
With an impressive 91.63% of services arriving as planned, Copa Airlines leads the way in punctuality on this route.
The journey from central Panama City to PTY takes about 1 hour 5 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a comfortable hotel close to Tocumen International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport, these stays will have you sleeping a quick hop from check-in:
86.03% of flights departing from Tocumen International Airport reach their destination as planned. With its strong on-time performance, you're unlikely to experience delays when taking off from PTY.
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC)
With public transport, you can travel from central Panama City to PAC in about 25 minutes. The airport is roughly 2 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 5 minutes.
Catching the earliest flight? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport the day before your Panama City to CTG flight:
Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB)
Enjoy a hassle-free trip from start to finish from Panama Pacifico Airport (BLB). Direct flights from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport can be booked from here.
Get set for takeoff with Wingo. It offers direct Panama City to CTG plane tickets from BLB.
Wingo is the airline most travellers choose for flights from BLB to CTG.
Among carriers operating on this route, Wingo has the best track record for timely arrivals.
Heading to BLB from central Panama City? The airport is around 16 kilometres away, and getting there takes roughly 20 minutes by car.
Make catching an early Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Stay at one of these hotels close to Panama Pacifico Airport and get to the check-in counter with plenty of time to spare:
With 86.75% of its departing flights arriving as scheduled, BLB is a reliable starting point for any adventure.
About Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG)
Have a late flight from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport? Don't let it end in exhaustion. Check in to one of these hotels near CTG and be in snooze mode sooner:
Travel at your own speed with a Rafael Nunez International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Localiza, Green Motion or Keddy By Europcar and venture far and wide through Cartagena and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around four weeks in advance of your Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
How to find the cheapest flights from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG)
Currently, P4,314 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is P16,546. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from Panama City to CTG, book in advance. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport ticket.
Be the first to know about deals for plane tickets from Panama City to CTG by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport.
The best time to fly from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG)
April is the quietest month for flights from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), while August is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Cartagena based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Panama City to CTG plane ticket, consider the type of weather you enjoy. February is the warmest month in Cartagena, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 24ºC (75ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Cartagena
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Cartagena right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Panama City to Rafael Nunez International Airport:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Walled City of Cartagena, La Fantastica Cartagena - Pirate Ship Tour, Sunset Tour & Rosario Island Tour and Centro Historico are must-visits when exploring Cartagena.
Explore more of Colombia
You've done Cartagena, now it's time to explore other corners of Colombia. Journey around 97 kilometres north-east to Barranquilla to check off its top attractions. From Gran Malecon Puerta de Oro to Miramar Park and Obelisco Barranquilla - LA VENTANA AL MUNDO, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Santa Marta is another well-known destination in Colombia and is around 161 kilometres north-east of Cartagena. No journey is complete without seeing Natural Tayrona National Park, Ciudad Perdida and Playa Taganga.