How to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
All travelers who will fly into Guatemala will arrive in the capital city to begin with, given the international airport is located here.
Antigua is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the country and a great place to kick off your adventures, so it’s worth heading directly here once you land.
Antigua Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Southern Guatemala
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 4–7 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: November-March
Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular ways of getting from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua. We’ll also take a look at where to stay as well as some other tips based on our time spent here.
Things to know BEFORE visiting Antigua
- Staying Safe On Local Transport – Chicken buses rule the roost all throughout Central America, and heading on then is a fun and cost-effective way of visiting nearby destinations like Lake Atitlán. However petty theft is a known issue, so make sure to keep an eye on your belongings at all times and leave any valuables back in your apartment.
- Packing Properly For Your Trip – Like much of the rest of Guatemala’s highlands, temperatures can be quite warm during the day where you’ll want to use sunscreen to avoid burning (especially if out for a while on hikes). However come the evening the temperatures drop rapidly, so make sure you’ve got a jumper and coat handy!
- The Land Of The Volcanoes – This area is full of fiery volcanoes, and at night you can actually see the Volcán de Fuego spurting out smoke every now and then. Also nearby we can find some memorable day trip hikes up Pacaya, as well as the overnight tour of Acatenango where you’ll camp right on the adjacent volcano.
How far is Antigua from Guatemala City Airport?
Also known as the Aurora International Airport, the international airport in the capital is located roughly 39 km east of Antigua.
There’s several different transportation options to get between the two (which we’ll explore later in this guide), however in general it takes around 60-90 minutes to make the trip. This of course can be quicker if pre-booking too which is a solid option.
It’s also important to know that rush hour can delay your journey, with especially bad traffic resulting in trips of around 3 hours.
For this reason always make sure you leave sufficient time to get to Antigua (ideally with no tours planned that same time), and the same for when heading back for your flight out.
Where to stay in Antigua?
The former capital is no longer than a couple of miles in length, so as a whole all of Antigua is pretty much fine for a stay.
Having said that, we’d definitely recommend staying around the central area for both safety and vibes (from the Parque Central this is around 5 or 6 blocks in all directions).
If you want to keep your costs down, then we suggest staying at the Hostal Antigua. Just a couple of blocks away from the main plaza, here they have comfortable dorm beds and also a nice terrace to hang out on. They also feature private rooms in case you want an upgrade.
Those looking for an upgrade without breaking the bank will love the Posada San Vicente by AHS. With more luxurious rooms you’ll feel right at home here, which has a stunning courtyard and lots of great eating options nearby.
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How to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
Let’s now explore your different options of getting from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua. At this time of writing, we’ve found 3 main ways of making the trip.
Taking a Taxi / Uber from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
Taking a taxi is quite a popular way of getting to Antigua from Guatemala City Airport, and can easily be hailed right outside the departures area.
The cost of an Uber or taxi are both similar at between $30-40, and you can also leave an optional tip if you like the service. You shouldn’t be paying anymore than $50 for a one-way ride.
Overall, it’s more ideal than the bus if you are in a rush, since they are in plentiful supply and will get you to Antigua in just over an hour (or two if in rush hour).
Pre-book Private Transport from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
The most ideal option of all is pre-booking a ride before even arriving into Antigua, which is by far the most comfortable method.
Instead of having to lug your belongings around looking for a bus or taxi, you can instead have a private driver meet you right after you pass through customs.
Overall it’s the quickest option out of the three, taking around an hour to arrive, and you can see more details here including the current prices of a one-way private transport ride.
Bus from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
Those who really want to save on costs can instead take local buses, which are also infamously known as the Chicken Buses.
You’ll need to first take a bus from the airport to the main bus terminal in Guatemala City, where you’ll then have to swap and take another heading to Antigua. Overall it will take between 3–4 hours including the time waiting to catch the second bus.
Costs can really vary, but shouldn’t be anymore than $5-10 for a one-way ride. If using this option then please take care with your belongings since petty theft can be an issue with public transport (especially within the Guatemalan capital).
Getting from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
And that’s all for this guide on how to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua.
A must-stop on any itinerary through Central America, Antigua really does have it all. Fiery volcanoes, beautiful architecture, friendly locals and memorable day trips, you’ll find it hard to leave after a few days here.
In this guide, we’ve explored how to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua, as well as where to stay and what you need to know before coming.
Read our 7 Day Antigua Itinerary for help on creating the most unforgettable time possible when here!
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