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Getting from Guatemala City Airport to Panajachel

Panajachel is a captivating town on the northern shore of Lake Atitlan – characterised by many people as the most beautiful lake in the world. With its dock, it serves as the gateway to many villages and Mayan settlements dotted around the lake. Recently, the town has witnessed significant growth, becoming a popular tourist hub and the place of settlement for many digital nomads and expats.

Panajachel lies 120 km west of Guatemala City Airport. To reach the town, you can either use a taxi/private transfer or board a shuttle. An airport taxi ride lasts approximately three hours, for €135 (GTQ 1,160) on average. On the other hand, the shuttle bus or minivan will take around five hours, depending on traffic and the number of stops along the way. For shared shuttles, a single ticket is €38 (GTQ 328).

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 €165 180min 24/7
Taxi €135 180min 24/7
Shared shuttle €76 300min 06:00–13:30

How to get from Guatemala City Aiport to Panjachel by taxi

Taking a taxi at Guatemala Airport is a convenient option for a personalised transfer to Panajachel for you and your travel group. Your driver will cover the 120 km distance in about three hours, depending on traffic conditions.

What’s the price of a taxi service from Guatemala Airport to Panajachel?

Airport taxis at GUA are not metered. Fares are agreed upon between the driver and passengers. On average, you can expect to pay something in the area of €135 (GTQ 1,160).

Nevertheless, there is always the possibility of paying a flat fee independent of the number of luggage items, time of the day etc. All it takes is a 60-second pre-booking of a private transfer via a reputable company such as Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€135 (GTQ 1,160)

Trip Duration

180 min

*The final fare can vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Guatemala City Airport.

Where should I go to take a taxi?

Taking a taxi at Guatemala Airport is as easy as it gets. When you claim your baggage and exit the Arrivals terminal, you’ll see a line of cabs queued up, waiting to board passengers. Go to the front, state your destination, negotiate the price with the driver, and get going.

Convenience

If you would like to leave for Panajachel immediately after your arrival at La Aurora International Airport, a taxi or private transfer is the most hassle-free way for door-to-door transportation to your hotel or apartment. You won’t have to wait for a shared shuttle to fill up, and there won’t be any stops to pick up or drop off other passengers along the way.

Editor’s Note

The official airport taxis are white. Avoid any drivers who may approach you and head straight to the taxi rank, unless you already have a private ride booked.

Useful Tips

Have cash available to pay for your ride, as cards are not accepted.
The total transfer time could be longer if there is heavy traffic on your way out of the city area.

Taking a shuttle from Guatemala Airport to Panajachel

When your flight lands at GUA, you can take a shared minivan that sets off for Panajachel a few times daily. The shuttle departures are scheduled, and you must have your seats pre-booked either via the provider’s website directly or via a convenient platform such as GuateGo. The shuttle takes approximately five hours to reach Panajachel if there isn’t excessive congestion.

How much does going from Guatemala Airport to Panajachel by shuttle cost?

A single ticket on either of the three daily itineraries operated by the Atitrans company costs €38 (GTQ 328).

Cost

€38 (GTQ 328)

Trip Duration

300 min

*Shuttle prices are per single ticket.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Shared shuttles from Guatemala Airport to Panajachel depart three times a day - 06:00, 09:30 and 13:30.

Where do I get the shuttle from?

On your way out of Arrivals, turn right at the exit door, and you’ll see a coffee shop called Café Baretto. The shared shuttle minivans leave from there.

Convenience

Although comfortable, a shared shuttle is certainly not as convenient as a taxi or private transfer. The commute time is longer by two hours, more or less, and there are several stops along the way to pick up or drop off passengers. Plus, there is a stopover in Antigua.

Editor’s Note

The last daily shuttle departure is at 13:30. If your flight arrives later, you must either take a taxi/private transfer or spend the night near La Aurora International Airport and leave the following day.

Useful Tips

Keep in mind that pets are not allowed on shuttle buses or minivans.
There is a stopover in Antigua, where you'll change vehicles.
A single ticket includes one piece of travel luggage and a small backpack. For any additional items, there is a $5 surcharge.
If there are more than three persons in your travel group, a private transfer will be much more comfortable at practically the same amount of money and without a set departure time.

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
€173.0
NIGHTTIME
€205.0
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 Panajachel?

To get from Guatemala City Airport to Panajachel, there are two options; you can take a private transfer or taxi, or choose a shared shuttle. Taxis are available 24/7 and need around three hours to reach the charming town on the northern shore of Lake Atitlan. On the other hand, shared shuttles depart three times a day and need five hours on average to complete the trip.

How far is it from Guatemala City Airport to Panajachel?

The distance between La Aurora International Airport and Panajachel is roughly 120 km. Taxis and private transfers usually take routes that are a bit shorter, while the shared shuttle buses go through Antigua, extending the travelling time significantly.

What's the cost of a taxi from Guatemala Airport to Panajachel?

Taxis that pick up passengers at the airport are not metered and charge fixed rates depending on the final destination. In the case of Panajachel, they usually ask for a fare of around €135 (GTQ 1,160). For a competitive flat rate without hidden charges, you can alternatively pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups.

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