7 Best Ways to get from Guatemala City to Antigua, Guatemala

You can get from Guatemala City to Antigua by shared shuttle, public bus, private transfer, taxi/Uber, or rental car.

The cheapest transportation option from Guatemala City to Antigua is by public bus, which costs USD 1.25. The journey takes between 2.5 and 3 hours.

The most popular option is the shared shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua, which costs USD 19.

The fastest way to travel to Antigua from Guatemala City is by private transfer or taxi/Uber. Prices start at USD 23.

While traversing the routes of Guatemala and exploring varied modes of transport, I’ve gathered insights that I will share with you to make your travels through Guatemala easier.

In this guide, I’ll share the seven best ways to get from Guatemala City to Antigua, ensuring you have all the information for a safe, convenient, and enjoyable travel experience!

Transportation Options from Guatemala City to Antigua

The following table outlines all Guatemala transportation options from Guatemala City to Antigua:

Method	Travel time	Price
Guatemala City to Antigua Public Bus	2.5 to 3 hrs	$1.25
Shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua	2 hrs	$19 to 23
Guatemala City to Antigua Private Transfer	1 hr	$59 to 160
Taxi from Guatemala City to Antigua	1 hr	$35
Uber from Guatemala City to Antigua	1 hr	$23
Rental Car from Guatemala City to Antigua	1 hr	–

How far is Antigua from Guatemala City?

The distance from Guatemala City to Antigua is about 40 kilometers or 25 miles by car. On average, getting from Guatemala City to Antigua takes around one hour. Due to the traffic, however, it can take up to a few hours!

How to get from Guatemala City to Antigua

1. Shuttle Guatemala City to Antigua

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.

Guatemala City to Antigua Shuttle Schedule:

The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from Guatemala City to Antigua, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
06:00am	08:00am	2h	$19
09:30am	11:30am	2h	$19
11:00am	12:30pm	1h 30m	$19
01:30pm	03:30pm	2h	$19
04:30pm	06:30pm	2h	$23
07:30pm	09:30pm	2h	$19

2. Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua

Journey Duration: 1 hour

One of the most convenient options is to book a private shuttle service. Many companies in Guatemala City offer this service.

You can book in advance online or through your hotel. They will pick you up at the airport or your Guatemala City hotel and take you to your destination in Antigua.

You can book shuttles for up to 12 persons on GuateGo.

Prices for a private shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua

• 1-3 passengers: USD 59

• 4-6 passengers: USD 90

• 7-9 passengers: USD 112.50

• 10-12 passengers: USD 160

3. Driving with a Rental Car

Journey Duration: 1 hour

Renting a car at Guatemala’s La Aurora International Airport is a simple process and is a great choice, especially if you’re keen on adventure and exploring less-traveled destinations.

Major international rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, and some local rental companies, operate offices at the airport.

I always prefer renting a car to be more independent! However, note that the streets in Guatemala are pretty bad, full of potholes, and many drivers ignore traffic lights and rules.

If you still want to rent a car, I recommend you make a reservation in advance with Rentalcars!

4. Taxi or Uber Guatemala City to Antigua

Journey Duration: 1 hour

Uber is available in Guatemala, and a trip from Guatemala City to Antigua costs around USD 30 outside peak times.

The primary challenge with Uber in this region is dealing with traffic.

Although the distance between Guatemala City and Antigua may not seem substantial on the map, trust me, during peak traffic hours, it can turn into a multi-hour journey – and the price can go up a lot.

Ultimately, it might be even more expensive than taking a taxi. For that reason, I only recommend taking an Uber after 7 PM.

A taxi from La Aurora Airport to Antigua costs USD 35.

5. Public Bus (Chicken Bus) from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua

I wouldn’t recommend taking the public bus, also called the chicken bus, from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua.

In fact, if you don’t speak Spanish, I strongly discourage it!

Numerous crime reports have occurred on the chicken buses between Guatemala City and Antigua, so exercise caution when considering this option.

It’s not to say you shouldn’t use chicken buses in Guatemala (you absolutely should!), but perhaps not when you first arrive and are carrying all your belongings.

To get to Antigua, you’ll need to take a shuttle to the main bus terminal in the city and catch a bus from there.

The chicken bus ride costs 10 Quetzales ($2.70).

My hotel recommendation for Antigua

I stayed at the 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.

I loved the breakfast on the rooftop terrace with an incredible view of one of Antigua’s volcanoes!

You can read my full review of the Posada del Angel hotel here.

Frequently Asked Questions