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The Panama Canal Train Ride: Is it worth it?

The Panama Canal Train Ride: Is it worth it?

Last Updated on July 20, 2022

We had heard about the train ride along the Panama Canal months before arriving in Panama City, and there was no question we were going to do it. In fact, we had really been looking forward to it. I have been fascinated with the Panama Canal for years, and we both love train rides – an activity nearly non-existent anywhere else in Central America.

The idea of connecting those two for a great day out was a no-brainer, with thoughts of speeding through the dense jungle which connects the Pacific and Caribbean coast, spotting exotic animals and fascinating flora, learning more about the canal and spotting the mega-container ships as they are lowered and lifted at locks along the canal. Unfortunately, the train ride didn’t quite live up to our imagination.

Panama Canal Train Station

The Panama Canal Train Ride – Our Experience

Luxury on the rails?

Described as a luxurious train ride by two different guide books, we were so tempted by the experience, even in spite of the early morning departure time. The train leaves from Panama City at 7:15am and arrives in Colon on the opposite coast 45 minutes later, returning to Panama City at 5pm.

Panama Canal railway company signIn reality, calling this trip luxurious was a stretch. Sure, the train car’s design harks back to the glory days of train travel, with carpeted floors, soft, low lighting and strong wooden paneling throughout the car. Waitresses served us each a very tiny paper cup of instant coffee, a small plastic cup of candy yogurt and a cookie. But that was as luxury as it got. No guide explained what we were seeing, no fun period music played in the background, no typical Panamanian food/breakfast/coffee was served on board. Panama City does luxury very well, and while this train ride was pleasant, it was by no means luxe.Panama Canal Train Waggon

Being ‘cattled’

Only one train runs along these rails each morning and evening, and as such, this is not only a tourist train but also functions a commuter train. The 7:15 departure time is geared much more toward professionals than any sort of comfortable time for tourists. On arrival to the station, foreigners are led to a specific car of the train, and locals, who most definitely do not pay the $44 return fare, are seated in the five to six additional cars with the same views, minus the free coffee. Back in the tourist wagon, we were lucky enough to snap up the last seats with canal views, and those who came after us were seated on the other side of the car.Panama Canal train lights

Where are the views?

Plenty of people went outside to the viewing platform outside and took pictures, but the views were okay at best. Where was the wildlife everyone was talking about? The train cuts through green jungle for most of the way, but we saw much more wildlife in the Metropolitan Park ($4 entry fee) right in the heart of Panama City.

The canal itself was only visible in parts and we spotted water through breaks in the flora until reaching Gatun Lake. This is widest part of the canal as well as the most beautiful, yet as quickly as the lake came into view, it disappeared again, very similar to the feeling of the canal ride in general. 55 minutes sped by so quickly it felt like as soon as it had really begun, it was over and we had arrived in Colon.
Panama Canal view from train

A snack box!

Before getting off the train – and not a minute before – every passenger was given a ‘Panama Canal Train Ride’ snack box with a mini-can of Pringles and small packs of cookies, peanuts and raisins. Despite its childish Happy Meal feeling, the main issue we had with this was wondering why on earth these snack packs would not have been handed during the ride? Many of us had not had any breakfast and the station had no food at all, so most of us were already ravenous.Panama Canal view

Will we get robbed?

The train ride does not even extend to the third and final set of locks, but rather right in the center of the city – known by all as one of the most dangerous cities in Panama. Locals had warned us not to visit Colon at all, but what to do for those nine hours before the train returns at 5pm?

Panama Canal TrainUpon exiting the train, it was expected that the tourists allow themselves to be corralled once more into one of the day trips to nearby beaches (for $100) or overpriced trips to the nearby Gatun Locks ($60 – the bus there was 25 cents) offered by taxi drivers with fancy (old, torn up) posters at the station, which every other traveler but us seemed to do. After fifteen cabs took the 40 passengers everywhere else but Colon, we were semi-stranded, alone, at a train station in a seriously shady area. We shortly found our way to the bus station and headed to the Gatun Locks.

Gatun locks ship close-upThe visit was fascinating, and a more intimate affair than the Miraflores Lock in Panama City. The staff was full of information, answered questions personally, and visitors were few and far between in comparison.

However, after an hour, with no museum, no café, no visitors center, we weren’t sure how to spend the next several hours before the train returned. We opted instead to return to Panama City by bus, which, at a fraction of the fare was just as fast and brought us directly to Albrook Mall in the city, rather than the train station which is a cab ride from anywhere.

Gatun locks close-up

Would we recommend the Panama Canal train ride?

Absolutely not.

Here is what we do recommend:

If you only want to have seen the Panama Canal, visit the Miraflores locks from Panama City. For all other travelers who are truly interested in the Canal, we would recommend a visit to the Gatun Locks for a glimpse of the massive container ships head into the Caribbean or into the Canal to head out to the Pacific. Take the bus. It’s $1.50 instead of $22 per person.

If you are looking to spot wildlife, go to Parque Metropolitano or Metropolitan Park, a jungle right inside Panama City.

For day trips to the beaches, rent a car. Four people pay $88 for the train one way, and a Panama City car rental costs less and gets you to the beaches and back.

If you are looking for a quick beach escape, take the ferry out to Taboga Island instead. From here you can see the container ships lined up to pass through the canal, all while sipping on a cold beer from the comfort of the sandy beach.Gatun locks with container ship

Have you ever anticipated an excellent place/tour/experience and were disappointed by the outcome? Is there an experience or tour you have done that you would advise people not to take part in? Please help everyone to avoid such rip-offs in the comments (oh, and if you have done the train ride and enjoyed it, feel free to let us know about that as well!)

Diane Baer

Thursday 22nd of September 2022

Very helpful insights, Much appreciated! You've talked me out of the train trip.

Kshama Nagar

Monday 8th of April 2019

very informative and to the point. I am planning by myself, adult female 73, and all your description, blog and comments help me to rearrange my itinerary. Thanks..

ML

Thursday 23rd of June 2016

I am taking a cruise from Spain which ends in Colon. I'd like to know what to do/how long to stay in Colon. I like to follow that stay by taking a boat from Colon via the Canal to Panama City and then explore there for a few days before flying out. I'd Really appreciate any suggestions you have and thanks for the advice on the train-not.

Dani

Wednesday 29th of June 2016

I suggest you get out of Colon as quickly as possible. Not a great place to linger around, trust me. Panama City is much nicer, don't miss Casco Viejo, the historic quarter there.

Ailish in Wonderland

Friday 22nd of April 2016

Was just looking up whether it was worth doing the train trip tomorrow, and am glad to have found this article! Thanks for saving me $44 and a boring day in Colon!

Dani

Monday 25th of April 2016

So happy to hear that! I hope you found something better to do :)

Jan Harte

Saturday 7th of November 2015

We took the train ride from Panama to Colon back in 2007, having been seduced by the guide books talking of a tax free shopping haven in Colon. The train ride itself was good, but lack of decent views and facilities was a let down. But the biggest disappointment was upon arrival at Colon, everybody gradually disappeared in taxis and we had no idea how far or where the main centre was. We wound up in a really run down part which turned out to be the centre of Colon. I cannot stress what an awful place this was. Nowhere to get a drink or eat, no toilet facilities, no shops. It was a very scary experience and it was just me and my husband. We found a taxi and negotiated a rate to take us back to Panama City, no way we were going to wait until 5 to take the train back Even that turned out to be risky, when the driver stopped after about 5 minutes down a side street and another man got in who he said was his brother and wanted a lift to Panama. I was really scared on the ride back and felt quite sure we would be robbed, or worse along then way. Thankfully we made it back in one piece but we would never recommend the rail trip to anyone.

Dani

Tuesday 10th of November 2015

I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one who wasn't impressed!! I heard that Colon was a scary place - hopefully that'll get better over the next few years.. Seems like they managed to 'clean up' Casco Viejo in Panama City, would wish for the same to happen in Colon.