How Much Does It Cost to Go Through the Panama Canal?
If you’re going to ride a yacht or transport cargo through the Panama Canal, be ready to pony up some serious cash. The cost to go through the Panama Canal equates to a big stack of cash.
When I first put up this post I had just handed in a magazine story on Panama and was going through my notes from the trip. I visited the Panama Canal for the second time. The first time I actually went through it on a 14-person ship, while the second time I just went to the Miraflores Locks visitor center.
I made a third trip to the Panama Canal in 2018, but the prices for the transit have changed so many times we updated this post again in 2025. You find out lots of factoids when visiting the canal, but I’m most fascinated by the commerce side of it. Obviously it’s easier for a shipping company to go through here than to spend an additional 22 days sailing around the bottom of South America, so they’re willing to pay. A lot.
There are different fees for different ships and cargo, as in you’ll pay less to transport grain than you will to transport liquified natural gas, then a different fee structure applies if you load Apple watches into cargo containers.
You can sort through the tariffs online, but from what I can tell, according to the latest tolls published by the Panama Canal Authority, commercial ships now pay $12,000 to $100,000 just to reserve the passage, depending on their size, and then the passage itself can total up to $300,000 before they start adding additional fees per ton based on the number of containers the ships are carrying.
If a ship has not reserved ahead and just shows up, it’s like someone trying to buy a concert ticket from a scalper: market forces prevail and they have to enter an auction to big on a passage slot.
In a system that seems like it was copied from U.S. airlines, there are lots of extra fees on top of that. A captain has to actually turn over the bridge to a Panamanian lock pilot for the transit and there are robotic guides with cables leading the ships through tight spaces. There are fees for “dead weight,” refrigerated vessels, and passengers on a cruise ship. Warships and dredge boats have a different fee structure.
When they exit the other side of the Panama Canal, that transit alone could add $300,000 to $500,000 to the cost of the goods on the ship. So if you’re in Boston getting coffee from Sumatra or a car from Korea, keep this in mind when you look at the price of what you’re buying.
Many people believe that goods they get from Asia travel by land across the USA, which some goods do on trains or buses. But more often, containers that travel across or up the Pacific come through the Canal to reach East Coast ports if the items are bound for New York, DC, or Florida, for example. It can be faster and, in the end, less expensive. That includes wine from Chile and chocolate from Ecuador.
What is the most expensive Panama Canal crossing?
That charge above is chump change though compared to some recent larger vessels hosted by the wider canal. That wider section of the canal was a massive project that now allows full container ships through. This engineering feat cost billions and billions to pull off, so you can bet those ships making use of it are paying handsomely. Before the expansion, the record was $461,000 paid by one ship. Then the record jumped to $800,000 (for a large cruise ship on a tight schedule) and then one passed $1.1 million. No wonder this canal supplies 12% of Panama’s gross domestic product.
In 2023 a new record was set because the country experienced a period of low rainfall and ships were stacked up waiting for entry to the canal. One liquified natural gas company paid $2.4 million to skip to the front of the line, bringing their total charge up close to $3 million. The record didn’t last though. Soon after that a Japanese natural gas shipper paid $4 million to skip to the front of the line and go through.
These records will probably hold as long as water levels stay where they need to be. If there’s another drought though, look out.
Speaking of prices, you’ll pay a surcharge if you go on a cruise ship through the Panama Canal. Starting in February 2022, the Panama Canal Authority changed the way they charge cruise ships from per berth to per ton. For the first 10,000 tons it costs a Cruise ship $5.25 a ton or a whopping $52,500 to go through the canal. The per-ton price goes down just slightly for each additional 10,000 tons that a ship is carrying. Enjoy the ride that day on your Central America cruise—you’ve paid handsomely for it.
When I first put this article up I got a lot of people complaining that I did list how much exactly a Panama Canal passage adds to the price of a cruise, but it seems irrelevant really: a Panama Canal cruise is going to cost you far more than one that just putters around the Caribbean. If you want to go through the canal, pay it and don’t worry about the line itemization.
The price varies by the size and weight of the ship, but figure on an additional $500 per person at the low end, up to $3,000 more each for one of the stacked-up-high cruise ships. Check prices here.
Check the current conditions before booking a cruise though: as mentioned before, low water levels in 2023 were causing long back-ups for ships to get through so some pleasure cruises had to turn back or change their route.
Sailing a Pleasure Boat or Yacht Through the Panama Canal
So what about the poor soul trying to live a lifelong dream of sailing around the world?
It’s definitely better to go small than to look like a new money tech tycoon. If you look at the official toll prices here and scroll way down on the price list, small ships pay a $1,600 to $4,100 toll at the canal depending on length. But, just like with container ships, there are additional charges tacked on that make this journey pretty hard on the pocketbook.
Boats under 65 feet (19.812 meters) pay a $2,150 toll as of 2025 and from 65 feet up to 80 feet $3,200. Ships between 80 feet and 100 feet pay a toll of $4,660, 100 feet is $6000. All these small vessels pay a $165 security deposit as well.
The cost for reserving your slot to go through the canal is $10,500 for ships less than 91 feet long and the fee jumps to $40,000 and $50,000 for ships bigger than 107 feet long. If you decide you want to stick around, mortgage and anchorage fees start at $75 a day for the first 30 days. There is also a $75 inspection for all small vessels, regardless of size.
You’ll also need the right lines for tie-up and a big enough crew to secure them all. No, you can’t use a credit card. (Or cocaine. Supposedly someone tried that once.) You can send it all by wire transfer now though and if you’re short, have some $100 bills on you for the unexpected.
If you’d like to just see a bit of the (slow) action instead, entrance to the Miraflores Locks complex has gone up a lot over the years and is currently more than $17 for adults, less for kids and seniors. More info here. A guided tour was once included, but now if you hire one you’ll spend more on that than you probably will on your Panama City hotel room.
The museum has gotten better over the years though and there’s a restaurant and bar on site. If you’re a Panama resident, you only pay $3 and kids are free.
The place must be raking in money because when I last toured Panama on an small ship cruise there were hundreds of people streaming in and out at all times. Later when we passed in a ship there was still no space along the observation deck railings for the people looking out at us.
Keep in mind these rates go up every few years, so check the latest before you pull up to the canal opening in your own boat so you don’t come up short on funds.
If you ask me, a couple days in Panama City is plenty and there are far more interesting places to go within a few hours. So have some fun here then get out into the countryside or to the beaches. See the Visit Panama site for ideas and gorgeous photos. Or check tour options here:
If you decide you like this country enough to consider it as a place to live or retire, there are a lot of good incentives in place and it’s a relatively straightforward and fast country for getting residency as a foreigner. See lots of details in this post:The Cost of Living in Panama for Expats.
Do ships from specific countries pay more than others?
One of the many lies put forth by the angry orange one is that somehow the USA pays more to send ships through the Panama Canal than others. As is often the case for what comes out of his mouth daily, this is complete bunk: the rates are openly published and are the same for everyone, regardless of nationality.
The USA sends more business to the canal, but that’s because it’s the wealthiest country in the hemisphere, it spends more per consumer than anyone, and it has major ports on both coasts. It is also the home base for many of the cruise companies that pass through. On top of all that, it has one of the largest navies and it moves its ships between oceans.
The other related big lie is that China controls the canal. They control a few nearby ports, yes, and have invested in infrastructure in Panama (as has the USA), but the workings of the canal itself are all in Panamanian hands. All the land along the canal is 100% owned by Panama. It’s a neutral passageway and an international asset that has managed to steer clear of this kind of political noise for 25+ years since the handover.
For what it’s worth, all the prices laid out above are similar to what ships passing through the Suez Canal are paying, also determined by market forces, not nationality. I guess he’ll threaten to invade Egypt next…
This post on how much it costs to go through the Panama Canal was updated in February of 2025.
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Tim over in the Pan-American Highway community, this is a regular subject.
For those interested check out – http://www.drivetheamericas.com/
Thanks for this post. I did not know this.
Going through the Panama canal today on the Norwegian Jewel.
This is AMAZING!!
It is so cool to go through the different levels.
The history of this place is off the chart as well; 16,000 + French workers died before the U.S. stepped in. I’m happy to pay whatever it cost to get me through.
Brilliant…
Do Panamanians pay to transit the canal.
I would assume so, but they have little reason to do so unless they’re shipping cargo abroad. And in that case they could just truck or train it to the other coast.
OK all you people who feel a need to spout your political views in a nasty way so you can feel smug and satisfied: it’s not happening here. I’m deleting all comments in that vein and their replies. Take it outside.
For what it is worth the least expensive ‘per day’ cruise I went on was a Panama Canal cruise in October. Plus we got to see great spots in the Pacific and the Carribean. Our cruise ship was defined as Panamax and I was drinking at the bar while floating up 80 feet through 3 locks and more than 100 years of amazing history.
Dont let that $134 number fool you. I think the total toll for our ship was around $300000, for a couple thousand people. Not to mention the amazing mules that cost 2mil a pop pulling us through unscathed. Plus the Panama Canal Authority ferries pilots out to the larger(maybe all?) ships so theres no accidents.
Id recommend everyone check this place out, less than 5 days of sailing on a floating casino/hotel/paradise.
@D Mckin, January 20, 2025 President Trump is gonna take over the canal. lol. What an idiot.
@Jooe, Why is he an idiot? Seems like YOU are the idiot!
As I see it will cost around 1000.-$ to transfer a catamaran 18m. It’s ok.
Thank you. did you go through with several other small boats, or did you follow behind s larger one?
Please be advised Panama Canal Toll is $200,00 to $300,000 for large ships. It is 48 miles from Atlantic to Pacific with 14,00 ships passing through annually. Debt service for the 2016 expansion will be tremendous. Toll increases are inevitable. Today is 6 – 27 – 16 with info from Google. Suez Canal is 103 statute miles long, with 3,100 ships passing through annually. Toll for passage two ways is $1.25 million U.S. dollars. It’s strictly BIG business for shipping companies to transit our every day needs.
PS With BILLIONS in toll dollars to Egypt, we still give millions of dollars annually to Egypt !!!
We are currently transiting the Panama Canal on a large cruise ship. To correct one item, the mules do not pull the ships through the locks. They keep the ship in the middle because at such slow speeds the rudder has little effect. The ship propels itself.
Do the commercial shipping companies make payment to the Panama Canal Authority in advance when they make their reservations to transit the canal? Or, does each ship that transits the canal pay in cash, check or money order?
All payments are in cash as a wire transfer prior to entering
So from what I gather It will cost $800.00 to go from west to east on the canal in anything less than 50 foot? are there other fees to look at also? I am looking to buy a boat And have come across some really good deals but I want to be on the Gulf side.
If you cannot pay by credit card what payment types do they take?
145ft Fipa AB
Thanks
Just traveled through the canal aboard the Island Princess cruise ship. Our fee for passage was $351,000 give or take a thousand.
I was fortunate enough to be a passenger on the first cruise ship to use the new locks in May, 2017. It was on a two week cruise from Port Canaveral FLA. to San Diego CA., aboard the Disney Fantasy. Much fanfare was made by the Panamamian government.
Too bad Jimmy Carter gave the Canal away.
“Returned” is the term you are searching for. Discussions for a plan to return the canal to Panama began in 1974 (Carter was not president until 1977). Ratification in the Senate was approved, 68-32.
Hope that helps.
Lots of good information here, but I didn’t find this: I have heard it is possible to traverse the canal as a guest on board the larger cargo ships. Where can I look for information on that, all I am finding is cruise ship info
I’ve never heard of anyone doing that, but I imagine it would involve booking the whole passage as people often do, or somehow joining one in transit. It’s pretty tightly regulated though and they are waiting out in the ocean before they go through, so I’m not sure where that would happen.
There are several freighter lines that take on passengers. Google freighter travel
Thanks for the great information. Am planning to buy a boat and wondered if both pacific and Caribbean would be available. $3000 is not cheap but still cheaper than fuel crew and provisions to get around South America. My questions were answered. Thanks for the bloc.
Charleschridtmas
Also a lot safer avoiding a passage across the southern tip of South America.
wow really love this article thank you for being so kind
Do you know where I can find info on how it is decided When a ship goes through? I mean in what order? When we went through in 2015 we waited 8-9 hours and went at night because we were on a smaller luxury yacht…and our guide said that the huge cruise ships get to go through during the daylight because they pay more. We were given our time by the canal authorities that day…is that because we were tiny and insignificant to them, or what is the criteria for order. Thanks for any insight or ideas of where to get my answers, and thanks for your article
i always thought those cars and stuff from Korea go to California and is sent across the country via railroad. minus the cars made in the Alabama factory. its like that jaguar vehicle in California that came via UK-Panama-California . just something to keep in mind when you buy something on the west coast that came from Europe. Tim Leffel tell us more.
what is the least amount of money payed to travel through the canal and why?
Is the cost discussed is one-way or including the return trip (if you make it in within a limited number of days) ?
One way.
On recent full passage of CANAL aboard MS Island Princess we were told that the Capts. of ships reemain in command; the Canal Pilots are advisors
Nope, they have to surrender control until the canal pilot deems they are in a safe zone (like in the Gatun Lake). Then at the other end, the canal pilot takes over again. This is only for large ships, of course. For yachts it’s not such a tight squeeze.
Hey Tim,
thanks for the money matters-good to know, but do you know where to pay, what documents and hassles we may have. we are planning to go from atlantic to the pacific. is there one office to take care of all requirements? are there agents who can handle everything cause i just want to have a cold drink and wait. hehehe
Thanks for all the information and education!
Why didn’t America preserve, at least , Free Transit for its Vessels? Navy Vessels?
Oh, dear President Wilson gave this freebie away!
“Oh why did we not take 100% of the Native American land instead of letting them control their own destiny and build casinos on it where we have to pay them?” Panama was not our land. We just borrowed it for a while.
it’s my understanding that US war vessels travel the canal for free. that was what i was told in panama last may, 2018.
I was on deployment in 98, we were one of the last US NAVY WARSHIPS transiting before the formal turn over to complete Panamanian operation vs jointly. There was this worry that the navy would be at issue using the canal, a few years later was going through again, for the military, we had the same security, and priority of transit. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Colon side when the US Army left, we hoped the government (Panama) or private firm would have taken over the property, when you go to the marina, looks like a warzone cause all the structures have been pillaged, or left in neglect. Great place to visit though, when people talk about the level of crime in the area, like most places, you go looking for trouble, you’ll find it. All the residents we interacted with were very welcoming, and any bank you walk into has armed security, sometimes safer than our own 50 states.
I transited the Panama Canal in 1969 aboard the USS. Nathan Hale SSBN 623 (a missile submarine). Back then any war ship went through ahead of all other vessels. There were at least 30 vessels in the breakwater when we got there in the early morning hours, we went to the head of the line. Is this still the case today? Also, cruise liners pay by the number of beds (AKA passengers). Does this include the support staff which in the case of a 2,000 passenger contingent would add another 500-1,000 additional personnel (AKA beds). I will be making a canal transit cruise (east to west) with my spouse in March 2019
I think I can answer one of the questions that has been asked. Why do large Cruise ships get a higher priority? One reason would be the timing of port calls. There are many thousands of dollars invested, by hundreds of passengers, in shore excursions at various ports. There would be hundreds of unhappy passengers if they got to their shore excursion port and there was not sufficient time to take the excursion and get back to the ship in the allotted time.
Awesome info by all above….I learnt a lot.
Would you happen to know if these rates are lower or better for citizens of Panama?
I don’t believe anyone catches a break on the fees. It’s all standardized.
Hi, Tim! I was talking to my grandson about the Panama Canal. In fact, I asked him which direction one would be traveling when cruising from the Pacific to the Atlantic. (The answer is, WEST.) So I searched for a Panama Canal map to show him the curve. And YOUR article came up! Interesting read and I’m saying “hello” to you. I met you and your family in Guanajuato. Small world!
Small world indeed – and fate I guess. Thanks for getting in touch!
I’ll bet the per berth cost for cruise ships includes not only the passengers but the crew as well. And the crew are not going to pay it out of their tips. So a ship with 3000 passengers, each passenger will be paying around half the cost for each crew member as well!
Well it’s per cabin, but you’re right, they probably factor that in as well somehow.
If i am a panamanian, own a boat and want to travel the country, do I get discount to go through the canal?
Can you tell me if a resident of Panama owning property on Lake Gatun would need to pay each time they enter or exit with a private 40′ boat from the Caribbean to their own private behind their home on Lake Gatun? Thanks for any help!
We just returned (3/1/20) from a trip through the entire Panama Canal on a cruise ship! Very interesting to do so. The night before our cruise was to end in Los Angeles, a Q&A session was offered in the theater on the ship. The question was asked of the captain as to the cost for the ship to transit the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific. His response was “about $900,000.00” for this 3800 passenger cruise liner! It was also noted, with these rates, the $5.25 billion that Panama paid for the new longer/wider locks, which opened in 2016, would be paid off in 10 years!
You mentioned that the ship in the picture paid over $321,000+ to use the canal. How much money are they saving by using the Panama Canal versus traveling around South America.? Thank for the article.
I think most companies have made that calculation and it’s cheaper to use the canal. Shorter voyage means far less fuel, less staff time, less food to carry/serve, and a safer voyage. Not to mention the speed to market difference.
i have an 80.9 meter yacht, what is the total price to transit the canal late july or early august?
This was a good post. I live here and this answered a lot of questions!
Check current prices at the Miraflores Locks: it is open to visitors and you can take a taxi or Uber there if you don’t want to join a tour. The ships aren’t going very fast but you can watch them go by.
Excellent writing. And all the information is just the things I wanted to know. Some history too. This piece is an award-winner. However, the gratuitous cheap shots at Trump were just … not necessary.
They’re VERY necessary given the dangerous and hateful rhetoric against one of our strongest allies.