Raleigh/Durham to Tocumen (RDU–PTY) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
RDU–PTY is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Copa Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 1,853 miles in approximately 4h 32m. Beyond nonstop, 28 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CM Copa Airlines | 4 | B39M | 4h32 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Tocumen from Raleigh/Durham
| Metric | RDU→PTY | PGV→PTY |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from RDU | – | 80 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 4 | 1 |
| Flight time | 4h 32m | 3h 44m |
| Departure OTP | 70% | – |
Travel Essentials
RDU: EDT · PTY: EST
When it's 6:00 PM in Raleigh/Durham, it's 5:00 PM in Tocumen.
US passport holders enter Panama visa-free for up to 180 days. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of entry. A return or onward ticket is required, and immigration may ask for proof of funds ($500 or equivalent). At Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, immigration stamps your passport. Panama also requires an online immigration affidavit filled out at migración.gob.pa within 72 hours before arrival.
The 180-day allowance is generous and makes Panama popular with remote workers and retirees. Panama City's skyline is Central America's most modern, with the Casco Viejo historic quarter contrasting the glass towers of Punta Pacifica. The Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks visitor center is 15 minutes from the city center and lets you watch ships transit. Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast is a laid-back island town. Boquete in the highlands is known for coffee farms and the Quetzal Trail in Volcan Baru National Park.
Direct flights from Miami (MIA) to Panama City run about 3 hours 15 minutes on American Airlines, Copa, and Delta. Houston (IAH) to PTY runs about 4 hours on United and Copa. Copa Airlines uses PTY as its hub with connections across Latin America. Direct service also operates from New York JFK, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, and Atlanta. Panama uses the US dollar (called the balboa, pegged 1:1). Balboa coins circulate alongside US coins. No currency exchange needed. ATMs dispense US dollars. Card payments work at most businesses. The Panama Metro runs 2 lines from Albrook to the eastern suburbs for $0.35 per ride. Uber operates in Panama City. A taxi across the city costs $3 to $8.
No rail connection exists. GoTriangle Route 100 (RDU Express) runs from the Durham Station Transportation Center and downtown Raleigh to the airport for $2.25; takes 35–50 minutes but service is limited in the evenings and does not run all night.Ride-shares (Uber/Lyft) from downtown Raleigh: $20–30, 20–25 minutes. From Durham: $18–25, 15–20 minutes. Taxis: $30–40. Long-term parking from $7/day in Economy lots with shuttle service. I-40 provides direct access to both Raleigh and Durham.
RDU–PTY Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from RDU to PTY
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Tocumen International Airport (PTY) are connected by nonstop service from Copa Airlines. With 4 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
RDU to PTY Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from RDU to PTY ranges from 4 hours 32 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,853 miles (2,981 km). There are approximately 4 weekly flights outbound and 4 return, totaling 8 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
28 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 6 hours via TEB. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Greenville (PGV).