There are different ways to travel from Guatemala City to Antigua. From public buses to shared shuttle vans to private transfers or even Uber.
Are you looking to travel from Guatemala City to Antigua, Guatemala?
Antigua is a beautiful colonial city with abundant culture and historical sites. There are several different ways to get from Guatemala City to this popular tourist destination.
Best VPN for Travel: ExpressVPN
Heading abroad? Use ExpressVPN to access your social media accounts, unblock your favorite entertainment sites, and stay connected with friends and family. And get cheaper flights, of course.
Pros
✅ Next-gen, high-speed servers in 94 countries
✅ Works on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, browsers, and more
✅ 256-bit AES encryption protects your data, even on hotel Wi-Fi
✅ Unblocks Netflix and other streaming sites
Cons
❎ No dedicated IPs
Get 3 extra months free of ExpressVPN when signing up for a 1-year plan. That’s a 49% saving and a monthly cost of just $6.67! You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The most efficient way to get between the two cities is by bus. The drive typically takes two hours, and the ticket cost is USD 18.
If you’re traveling during peak traffic hours or on holidays, purchasing your ticket in advance is best to ensure a seat on the bus.
Another option is renting a car which gives you flexibility and allows you to explore more than just Antigua along your journey.
Read our guide on traveling from Guatemala City to Antigua.
Distance from Guatemala City to Antigua
The distance from Guatemala City to Antigua is about 40 kilometers or 25 miles by car.
Transportation Options from Guatemala City to Antigua
The following table outlines all Guatemala transportation options from Guatemala City to Antigua:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bus from Guatemala City to Antigua | 2 hours | USD 18 |
| Public bus from Guatemala City to Antigua | 2.5 to 3 hours | USD 1.25 |
| Shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua | 2 hours | USD 19 |
| Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua | 1 hour | USD 54 |
| Taxi from Guatemala City to Antigua | 1 hour | USD 35 |
| Uber from Guatemala City to Antigua | 1 hour | USD 23 |
| Rental Car from Guatemala City to Antigua | 1 hour |
Getting to Antigua from Guatemala City
1. Bus from Guatemala City to Antigua
Journey Duration: 2 hours
Litegua offers a daily bus connection between Guatemala City and Antigua at 02:30 PM. The trip takes around two hours, depending on the traffic, and costs USD 18.
2. Guatemala City to Antigua Shuttle
Journey Duration: 2 hours
My preferred way of traveling from Guatemala City to Antigua is by shared shuttle. Prices are reasonable, and the trip is safe and stress-free.
To avoid lengthy waiting times for other passengers to join, I recommend pre-booking a shuttle at least one day in advance with GuateGo. Prices start at USD 19, and there are departures throughout the day.
Tour and Travel Atitrans offers daily shared shuttles between Guatemala City and Antigua at 06:00 AM, 09:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 01:30 PM, 02:30 PM, 07:30 PM, and 09:00 PM.
You can also take a shuttle from Guatemala City Airport straight to Antigua. Departure times are at 06:00AM, 09:30AM, 11:00AM, 01:30PM, 02:30PM, 07:30PM and 09:00PM.
3. Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua
Journey Duration: 1 hour
If you are traveling in a group or want to be more flexible regarding the departure time, a private transfer may be the best option!
You can book shuttles for up to 12 persons on GuateGo.
Prices for a private shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua
- 1 to 3 persons: About USD 54
- 4 to 6 persons: about USD 90
- 7 to 9: about USD 112,50
- 10 to 12: about USD 160
4. Driving with Rental Car
Journey Duration: 1 hour
A rental car may be a good option if you want to travel independently to Antigua. The travel distance from Guatemala City is 40 kilometers or 25 miles.
Note that the roads are pretty bad and that many drivers don’t pay attention to traffic lights or traffic rules.
If you still want to rent a car, I recommend you make a reservation in advance with Rentalcars!
5. Uber or taxi
Journey Duration: 1 hour
Uber is available in Guatemala, and a trip from Guatemala City to Antigua costs around USD 23 outside of peak times. Note, however, that the price can increase drastically due to traffic.
A taxi from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua costs around USD 35.
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Guatemala City to Antigua. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
6. Public bus to Antigua
Journey Duration:
If you want to travel like a local and turn your trip into a bit of adventure, you can take the public or chicken bus to Antigua!
The public bus departs from the main bus terminal in the city. The trip costs 10Q (around $1,25USD). I only recommend this option if you speak at least some basic Spanish and don’t have much luggage/ valuables.
Our hotel recommendation for Antigua
We stayed at Posada del Angel hotel, just a few blocks from the main square of Antigua.
It is a unique hotel in an old colonial building that integrates Antigua’s Maya and Spanish heritages.
Each of their rooms is designed with a different theme and equipped with everything you might need.
We loved the breakfast on the rooftop terrace with an incredible view of one of Antigua’s volcanoes!
You can read our full review of the Posada del Angel hotel here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest airport to Antigua, Guatemala?
The closest airport to Antigua is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City.
