Bayway buses run 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. across Bay County: 850-769-0557. ECP airport, downtown and St. Andrews parking rules, fines and road links.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the City of Panama City’s Transportation and Public Parking pages, its parking ordinance announcement, Bayway and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Panama City’s main roads include state highways such as U.S. 98 and U.S. 231. Bay County’s Bayway buses link the city with its neighbors, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is close by. Downtown and St. Andrews have their own parking rules.

Who to call

  • Bayway buses and Flex rides: 850-769-0557, trip planner and routes
  • Live traffic and closures: FL511 or dial 511
  • Parking enforcement questions: Panama City Police Department dispatch, 850-872-3112
  • Airport: iflybeaches.com

Hurricane Isaias: Bayway suspended its Panama City Beach-Walton County Connector at 6 a.m. Oct. 9; other routes were running, weather permitting. Bayway offered free rides to the Deane Bozeman School storm shelter: call 850-769-0557 and choose option 2.

Roads

The Florida Department of Transportation’s District 3 runs the state highways through the city, including U.S. 98 and U.S. 231; the city maintains neighborhood streets. Two big FDOT projects affect drivers heading east and west: the U.S. 98 widening from Richard Jackson Boulevard to the Hathaway Bridge and the new DuPont Bridge over East Bay, both due in 2030. Current work and closures are on our road construction and closures page, refreshed weekly.

Bayway buses

Bayway is Bay County’s public bus system. The city says it connects Panama City with Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City Beach, Parker, Springfield and other parts of the county.

  • Fixed routes: Bayway’s system map lists routes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, with timetables and a trip planner.
  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Sunday service runs from the first Sunday in March through the last Sunday in November.
  • Bayway Flex: on-demand rides booked instantly within Flex service zones, plus pre-scheduled trips for eligible riders. See Bayway Flex or call 850-769-0557.

The airport

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is, in the city’s words, “only minutes from Downtown Panama City.” American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines fly there, with connections through Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Nashville and St. Louis. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Enterprise, Hertz and National rent cars at or near the airport, and taxi and limousine services serve it. Flight and parking details: iflybeaches.com.

Parking downtown and in St. Andrews

The city has posted parking maps and installed large signs showing limits:

Many downtown and St. Andrews spaces have 2- and 3-hour limits. The city says police are showing “grace” on time limits but watching closely for parking outside the lines or in travel lanes, too close to intersections, across driveways or dumpsters, in handicap spaces without a permit and in marked no-parking areas. For longer visits, use the designated public lots shown on the maps.

Fines under Ordinance No. 3271, adopted in July 2025, include $20 for parking over a posted time limit, $50 for parking overnight where signs prohibit it and $20 for parking over a line or without a current tag and sticker. Vehicles with three or more tickets or notices of violation can be booted or towed. The full list is in the ordinance.

Golf carts, bikes and walking

The City Commission has designated streets in St. Andrews, Downtown, the Cove, Millville, SweetBay, Venetian Villas, Candlewick, Lake Huntington, Forest Park, Downtown North, Glenwood and Liberty as safe for golf carts, according to the city’s golf cart announcement. Golf carts are treated as motor vehicles for parking violations.

For walking and biking, the city’s longest paths are at Harvey Dee Mathis Park and Bay Memorial Walking Park; see parks and trails. The U.S. 98 widening and the new DuPont Bridge will both add bike lanes or multiuse paths.

Freight rail

The Bay Line Railroad carries freight to Panama City businesses and Port Panama City, connecting with CSX at Dothan, Alabama, and Cottondale, and with Norfolk Southern at Dothan. There is no passenger rail service listed by the city.

Related: road construction and closures, moving to Panama City and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a bus in Panama City, Florida?

Yes. Bayway, Bay County’s transit system, runs fixed routes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. linking Panama City with Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City Beach, Parker and Springfield. Call 850-769-0557.

What airport is closest to Panama City?

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), which the city describes as minutes from downtown. American, Delta, Southwest and United fly there.

Is parking free in downtown Panama City?

The city’s parking pages describe posted time limits and public lots. Many downtown spaces have 2- and 3-hour limits; use the city’s public lots for longer stays. The fine for parking over a posted time limit is $20.

Can I drive a golf cart in Panama City?

On designated streets. The City Commission has approved golf cart operation in neighborhoods including St. Andrews, Downtown, the Cove, Millville and others, and golf carts are subject to the same parking violations as cars.