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How to get from Guatemala Airport to Antigua

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Antigua – Guatemala’s old historic capital – is a stunningly beautiful city that enchants visitors upon first look. A walk around Antigua’s cobblestone streets is a travel back in time. With its Spanish baroque-influenced architecture, charming squares, and breathtaking landmarks, such as the much-photographed famous Santa Catarina Arch, with the awe-inspiring Volcan de Agua to its backdrop, Antigua will leave you speechless with its colonial history that blends seamlessly with the city’s solid Mayan heritage.

Antigua is located 40 km west of Guatemala City Airport. There are two reliable alternatives for your transportation from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: a taxi/private transfer or a shared shuttle bus. When traffic conditions are normal, an airport taxi will take you to the old capital in 1 hour for €37 (GTQ 320). Pre-booked shuttle buses take around 2 hours, depending on congestion, at €17.35 (GTQ 150) per person.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Guatemala at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €50 60min 24/7
Taxi €37 60min 24/7
Shuttle bus €34.70 120min 06:00–19:30

Transfer from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua by taxi

A private transfer or taxi from Guatemala Airport to Antigua is the most convenient and stress-free way to reach your hotel or apartment in the former capital. The distance from La Aurora Airport to Antigua is a comfortable 40 km, and an hour is usually enough for the ride. However, traffic in Guatemala City could become brutal during peak hours, so it would be best to foresee some extra time just in case.

How much is a taxi from Guatemala Airport to Antigua?

The “white taxis” waiting to board passengers at Guatemala City Airport do not have a taximeter. They charge their customers based on the distance of their final destination. For a trip to Antigua, the average ride charge is €37 (GTQ 320). This amount could increase if there are too many luggage items, if the transfer is made at night, etc.

For a competitive flat-rate fare without extra or hidden charges and comfortable pickup service regardless of your flight’s arrival time, you can pre-book a private shuttle from Guatemala Airport to Antigua with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€37 (GTQ 320)

Trip Duration

60 min

*Final fares could present fluctuations unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis are available all day, seven days a week, at Guatemala City Airport.

Where do I get a taxi from?

White airport taxis are parked outside the exit of the Arrivals Hall 24/7. You’ll spot them instantly after you collect your belongings at the carousel and exit the terminal. Go to the front of the line, agree on the price of your transfer to Antigua with the driver and board the vehicle.

Convenience

A taxi or private transfer is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Antigua in comfort and style. After a tiring long-haul flight, you’ll get going immediately without waiting for a shared shuttle bus to fill up.

Editor’s Note

Make sure you board an official white airport cab, not a regular city taxi.

Useful Tips

Payment by card is not an option. Ensure you have cash with you for the ride.
Speaking English is not a given with Guatemalan taxi drivers. Have the address of your accommodation in Antigua written on a piece of paper or your phone and show it to your driver to avoid miscommunication.

Getting a shuttle from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua

Besides a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer, the other option to Antigua is a shared minibus or minivan that departs from the airport. To use a shared shuttle, you can either pre-book your seat with a company such as Guatego and board a scheduled departure as soon as your flight arrives or turn up without a booking and look for the public shuttle buses that leave for Antigua as soon as they fill up with passengers. Depending on traffic and the number of stops, the average transfer time is around two hours.

What’s the cost of a shuttle service from Guatemala Airport to Antigua?

The price differs depending on the type of the shuttle. The GuateGo shuttle seats cost €17.35 (GTQ 150) per person, while the price is €9.30 (GTQ 80) per person for the public shuttles.

Cost

€17.35 (GTQ 150)

Trip Duration

2 hours

*The prices of shuttle buses or vans are per person.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

The GuateGo shuttles depart every two-three hours from 06:00 to 19:30. The public shared shuttles have several departures throughout the day, but they're not standard..

Where do I get the shuttle from?

Shuttles are stationed outside of Arrivals, like taxis. If you have booked with GuateGo, someone will wait at the exit holding a sign with your name. The people of public shuttles hold signs reading ‘Antigua’; in this case, approach them and tell them you want to go to Antigua.

Convenience

Shuttles are reliable and generally provide a comfortable transfer experience. If you have pre-booked, waiting times are minimal. On the other hand, if you decide to use the airport’s public shuttle, be prepared to wait a while for the van to eventually fill up with travellers to Antigua before you depart.

Editor’s Note

The way for the locals to get to Antigua is the “chicken buses” (camionetas). They leave from the Main Bus Terminal in Guatemala City and are very affordable. However, this option entails serious safety issues, so we strongly advise against it.

Useful Tips

Public shared shuttles are the most cost-effective option for solo travellers.
All shuttles, public and GuateGo’s, can drop you off directly at your hotel or a central point in Antigua.
If your flight is late, you can catch the next shuttle.
Generally, there is no shuttle service after 20:00. In that case, you must take a taxi or stay overnight at a hotel near the airport to continue your trip in the morning.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Guatemala. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€45.0
NIGHTTIME
€54.0
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Guatemala Airport to Antigua?

You can get from Guatemala Airport to Antigua by airport taxi or shared shuttle bus. In both cases, unless you have pre-booked a private transfer, vehicles wait to board passengers as you walk through the exit, outside of Arrivals.

How far is Antigua from Guatemala City Airport?

Antigua is roughly 40 km to the west of Guatemala City Airport. The commute time depends on traffic, but under light traffic conditions, the trip should take about an hour by taxi or private transfer.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Guatemala Airport to Antigua?

White airport taxis do not have taximeters installed and charge based on the passengers’ destination. For Antigua, the average fare is €37 (GTQ 320) but that’s not guaranteed. For a competitive fixed-rate fare without hidden fees, you can pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups and take advantage of top-notch personalised service.

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