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Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
If you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, congratulations! This beautiful country is full of scenic nature, vibrant culture, and lovely people. Getting from Guatemala City to Antigua, Guatemala (or from Antigua, Guatemala to Guatemala City) can be easy and affordable!
In this guide, I”ll share how to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua, Guatemala. Unfortunately, there isn’t an airpot in Antigua, Guatemala, so you’ll have to fly into Guatemala Airport (located in Guatemala City, about an hour and a half drive from Antigua, Guatemala).
Depending on the time of your flight, you may want to consider spending the night (or early morning) in Guatemala City, near the airport. It’s often safer to take a quick Uber to a nearby hotel in Guatemala City than to try and organize transportation to Antigua in the dark.
When I first arrived to Guatemala, I landed in Guatemala City Airport (La Aurora International Airport), and as many travelers do, had plans to head straight to Antigua. Because Guatemala City isn’t the safest of places in Guatemala, I wanted to ensure I could safely get from Guatemala City to Antigua. In this article, I’ll lay out the best ways to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua.
Here are the best options for getting from Guatemala City Airport (La Aurora International Airport) to Guatemala City, Guatemala:
- Public transportation (also known as the Chicken Bus)
- Take a shared shuttle (my preferred method)
- Airport taxi
- Uber
- Book a private transfer
Option 1: Public Transportation (aka Chicken Buses)
Public transportation in Guatemala is a bit different than many other countries around the world. In many countries around the world, you can take a public train, bus, tram, or metro. In Guatemala, you’ll find “Chicken Buses” as the most common (and affordable) form of public transportation.
What is a chicken bus? A chicken bus is a renovated school bus used for public transportation throughout Guatemala. These buses are auctioned off in the United States each year, driven down to Guatemala, and then renovated to use for transportation of people, cargo, and even…you guessed it… chickens!
Chicken buses are known for being very affordable, but also very bumpy. With frequent stops on windy roads, they may not be the best option for those of us that get carsick. If you’re tight on cash and okay with your backpack being tied up on the roof, a chicken bus is a decent way to go – just make sure to take care of your belongings…pickpockets are not uncommon on chicken buses.
Don’t let this stop you though! As with any country, simply make sure to take care of your belongings and you’ll be perfectly fine. It’s worth noting that a bit of Spanish (or more!) will certainly be helpful in understanding the fares and destinations.
Option 2: Take a Shared Shuttle (My Preferred Method)
Taking a shared shuttle from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua is a great option for a few reasons. Firstly, they’re comfortable, often have air conditioning (very helpful in the heat), reliable, and reasonably affordable. Although you won’t find the same bargain you will on a chicken bus, you can get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua for about $19 (one way) on a shared shuttle.
The shared shuttle will pick you up at a previously agreed upon time from the airport (or your hotel), and will take you from door-to-door, to your final destination. Shared shuttles are also great for meeting fellow travelers! You’ll meet plenty of other travelers who will be eager to share stories, experiences, and tips for traveling around the region. One of the people I met on my shared shuttle even ended up being on the same hike with me for Acatenango Volcano!
The other benefit to a shared shuttle is that the shuttle company will often give you a Whatsapp number you can use to communicate with the driver before or after the ride. My driver was about 15 minutes late to pick me up on the way back to Guatemala City Airport from Antigua, and I was able to text him and confirm my ride. It’s helpful to have their number and gives you a bit more peace of mind when you need to catch a flight.
Option 3: Take an Airport Taxi / Uber / Private Transfer
A taxi directly from the Guatemala City airport to Antigua will cost you a bit more than the other options (around $35-40 USD), but will come with a bit more luxury as well. You won’t need to wait on fellow travelers, you’ll have the comfort of your own vehicle, and it’s very safe.
As with any airport taxi, it’s important to ensure your taxi driver is a licensed taxi driver! If you’re traveling in a group, this can be a convenient option, as you’ll be quoted for the ride, not per passenger.
Uber is a very convenient option, as you can directly request a ride from the Guatemala City airport to Antigua upon arrival. It’s very safe, however, it will likely cost a bit more than a taxi – an Uber from Guatemala City airport to Antigua typically comes in around $55-60 USD.
If you want to plan ahead a bit, you can book a private transfer from Guatemala City airport to Antigua. This should cost around $40 USD, and you’ll be able to arrange everything ahead of time.
Welcome to Antigua, Guatemala!
Once you’ve made your way from Guatemala City airport to Antigua, you’ll find Antigua has a plethora of things to do! From the local markets and cozy coffee shops to the inspiring Acatenango volcano, you certainly won’t be bored during your time in Antigua.