6 Ways to Get from Guatemala Airport to Antigua (2026 Guide)

Wondering how to get from Guatemala Airport to Antigua? Here’s our story of taking a taxi ride and a shuttle bus from Guatemala Airport to Antigua when we were travelling in Guatemala this year.

If you’re flying into La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City, chances are you’re not planning to hang around. Guatemala City isn’t the most welcoming place for travellers, and there isn’t a huge amount to do there. Antigua is usually the first stop, and for good reason. It’s roughly an hour’s drive from the airport (traffic permitting, which it often doesn’t), it’s one of the safer options for first-time visitors to Guatemala, and it makes an excellent base for exploring the rest of the country.

These recommendations are based on my own experience getting from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua, and what I’d do differently now that I’ve got a bit more experience travelling in Central America.

The short answer: book a shared shuttle bus in advance. But let me walk you through all the options so you can decide what’s right for you.

🚌 Click here to book your shuttle bus

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At a Glance: Getting from Guatemala Airport to Antigua

Private transfer: ~$50-90 USD (most expensive, most peace of mind)

Chicken bus: 20-30 Quetzales (cheapest, not recommended, especially after a long flight)

On-demand shared shuttle: ~$15-20 USD (wait for enough passengers)

Pre-booked shared shuttle: ~$18-20 USD (best value, most convenient) 🚌 book here!

Shared private taxi: split from ~$50 USD total

Uber: ~$35-55 USD (variable, expensive in rush hour)

A Bit of Background: Guatemala City Airport and Antigua

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is located in Guatemala City, roughly 40 kilometres from Antigua. It’s a relatively small airport, but it can get busy during peak travel times. There are currency exchange counters and ATMs inside, though they tend to dispense large bills and the rates aren’t great, so it’s worth planning ahead if you need Quetzales in small denominations. Free Wi-Fi is available inside the terminal, but the connection drops as soon as you walk outside, so if you’re planning to book an Uber or contact your hostel on arrival, do it before you leave the building.

Antigua itself is a beautiful colonial town known for its cobblestone streets, Spanish architecture, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes it very easy to spend longer there than you planned. It’s considered one of the safer cities in Guatemala for travellers, with a visible police presence in the centre, though as with anywhere it’s still worth being cautious after dark. There are so many things to do in Antigua, I’d recommend booking a couple more days there than you’d expect.

Six Ways to Get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua

1. Chicken Bus

The chicken bus is the travellers’ nickname for the local public buses in Guatemala, repurposed and repainted old American school buses that are a rite of passage for anyone backpacking through Central America. They’re cheap, they’re an experience, and they’ll definitely get you talking. If you want to know more, read about our experience of taking the chicken bus from Antigua to Lake Atitlan.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend taking the chicken bus from Guatemala Airport to Antigua as your very first activity in the country, especially if it’s your first time here. You want to have your bearings a bit more before you attempt it, and ideally you want to do it early in the day when you’re not exhausted from a long-haul flight.

If you are feeling adventurous (and you’ve got energy to spare), here’s how it works: get some Guatemalan Quetzales in small denominations before you leave the airport, follow the signs to the bus terminal, and you’ll quickly find drivers loudly inviting you onto their bus to Antigua. The ride should cost you around 20-30 Quetzales, though as a tourist you may get quoted more. Keep your belongings close, keep your wits about you, and if you ever feel unsafe, stay on the bus. You’re almost certainly safer on it than off it in an unfamiliar area.

One note on safety: leaving the tourist trail in Guatemala can be risky. The cities and towns on the main backpacker route have become well-equipped for travellers, but going off the beaten track without good local knowledge isn’t something I’d recommend. This is also a good reminder to make sure you have travel insurance sorted before you arrive. Guatemala is generally a wonderful country to travel, but it’s always worth being covered.

Cost: 20-30 Quetzales (~$3-4 USD)

Best for: Adventurous travellers who’ve already found their feet in Guatemala

2. On-Demand Shared Shuttle

This was my original plan. Shared shuttles from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua cost around $15-20 USD per person (cash only), and you get them from the Yellow “Airport Taxis” booth inside the terminal. It’ll either be just to your right or straight ahead, depending on which arrivals exit you come out of. There’s usually someone leaning out of the booth and waving you over; it’s not a scam; those are the real airport taxis.

The catch: the shuttle doesn’t go until there are enough passengers. You might walk out and find several people heading straight to Antigua, or you might be the only one in the waiting area, wondering when the next flight is landing (hint: that was me).

I ended up in exactly this situation, waiting for my travel companion Ellie, who was supposed to arrive two hours after me. She arrived 24 hours after me. (She got stuck in Houston after her first flight was delayed, a story for another day.) Needless to say, I ended up going with another option.

Cost: ~$15-20 USD per person

Best for: Flexible travellers who don’t mind waiting

3. Pre-Booked Shared Shuttle

After everything I’d experienced, this is the advice I gave Ellie when she eventually squeezed onto a flight the next morning. For roughly the same price as the on-demand shuttle, you can book a guaranteed seat on a shuttle that departs on schedule, drops you straight to your accommodation, and doesn’t require you to stand in an airport hoping a plane lands soon.

Ellie booked with GuateGO through GetYourGuide, which she managed to sort from the airport just a few hours before her flight took off. The journey was seamless. GetYourGuide also gives you free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, which is a big plus when you’re dealing with unpredictable international flights.

One thing to note: if your flight is significantly delayed, a pre-booked shuttle may not wait for you. Booking a few hours before departure (rather than weeks in advance) can help reduce this risk, as Ellie proved.

🚌 Click here to book your shuttle bus

Cost: ~$18-20 USD per person

Best for: Most travellers, best balance of cost, convenience, and reliability

4. Shared Private Taxi

At the same airport taxi booth, you can ask about sharing a private taxi with another passenger if you’re both willing to split the cost. A private taxi from Guatemala Airport to Antigua costs around $50 USD in total, so sharing brings it down to about $25 each, which isn’t much more than a shuttle and you won’t be waiting around.

This is exactly what happened to me; when I spoke to the woman at the shuttle/taxi booth and it became apparent I was the only person in the vicinity looking for shared transport, she told me that I could also opt to share a taxi with someone if we were both willing to split a 50$ taxi ride 50/50.

This option became more and more appealing the longer I waited, and the longer I spent looking at the 60$ Uber ride on my phone. It was around 5.30pm: prime rush hour.  I crossed my fingers when I saw someone else walk up to the airport taxi booth, and it wasn’t long until the woman came running over to me and asked if I wanted to share a private taxi with this guy (25$ each).

After 30 hours of travel from Lisbon, it was an easy decision to cough up the extra 10$, and having a private taxi definitely beats a shuttle bus when you’re stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours (!). Speaking of rush hours and travel time: the airport taxis and shuttle buses are a fixed price, so you won’t pay more if you do end up stuck!

Later, the lovely gentleman I shared a taxi with asked why I was in such a rush. I looked at him, confused, and he told me the lady at the airport taxi booth had told him I wanted to share a taxi because I was in a rush.

I don’t know for sure, but I have a suspicion that this guy only wanted to get a taxi for himself, and the woman in the booth did me a solid and convinced him to share with me because I was “in a rush”. She didn’t get any extra from that sale… I like to think she just did it to be kind.

Cost: ~$25 USD per person (shared between 2)

Best for: Travellers arriving during rush hour, or those who want a bit more comfort without the full private price tag

5. Uber

Uber does operate in Guatemala City and picks up from a designated rideshare zone at La Aurora Airport. Expect to pay around $35-55 USD depending on the time of day. During rush hour (roughly 7-10am and 4-8pm local time) prices climb significantly, so it can end up costing as much as a private transfer. Outside of those windows it’s a more reasonable option, particularly if you’re travelling solo and want a direct ride without waiting for a shuttle to fill up.

The main thing to sort before you land: you’ll need a working SIM or eSIM to use the app, and you’ll lose the airport Wi-Fi the second you step outside. I use Airalo on my travels through Central America and it’s worked brilliantly for exactly these situations.

Cost: ~$35-55 USD (variable)

Best for: Off-peak arrivals, solo travellers comfortable with ride-hailing apps

6. Private Transfer

The most expensive option, but also the most seamless. A private driver will meet you at arrivals, have your flight number in advance to account for any delays, and take you directly to your accommodation with no stops or waiting around. Prices run from around $50-90 USD for the whole vehicle depending on size, which for a group of four actually works out cheaper per person than a shared shuttle.

The best way to arrange a private transfer is to ask your hotel or hostel to book it for you, or to recommend a driver they trust. You can also book through GetYourGuide if you want the security of a reviewed, vetted service with free cancellation.

If you’re arriving at an unusual hour, travelling with a lot of luggage, or you’ve just had a terrible journey and want someone waiting for you with a sign, this is the one.

Cost: ~$50-90 USD per vehicle

Best for: Late or early arrivals, groups, or anyone who wants a completely stress-free start

FAQs on the journey from Guatemala Airport to Antigua

What is the cheapest way to travel from Guatemala Airport to Antigua?

The cheapest way to travel is by taking a chicken bus, which costs between 20 and 30 Quetzales. However, I don’t recommended doing this straight off a flight, as taking the chicken bus can be challenging, requires extra vigilance, and this is not a very safe route to take by chicken bus.

Is it possible to take a shuttle from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua without pre-booking?

Yes, there is an on-demand shared shuttle service available from the airport taxi booth, costing around $15 per person. However, these shuttles only depart once they have at least four passengers, so you may need to wait if there aren’t many other people going in the same direction as you.

How does taking a private taxi compare to other transport options?

A private taxi from the airport to Antigua costs around $50; this option provides a more direct route with fewer stops and is ideal for travelers who don’t want to wait for other passengers.

Can I book a shuttle in advance to avoid waiting at the airport?

Yes, several companies offer pre-bookable shuttles for about $20. Booking in advance can save you waiting time, but note that these shuttles may not provide refunds if your flight is delayed.

Is it safe to take an Uber from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua?

Taking an Uber is generally safe but can be expensive, especially during peak hours. If you arrive during rush hour, the fare may be similar to a private transfer. Make sure to connect to the airport WiFi to book the ride, but remember that you will lose connection once you exit the terminal.

Conclusion

Traveling from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua offers a variety of transport options to suit different needs, budgets, and comfort levels. Shared shuttles provide a convenient balance of cost and safety, while private taxis and transfers offer the highest level of convenience for those willing to pay a bit more. Booking in advance, particularly with reputable shuttle services, can make for a smoother arrival in Antigua. Whichever method you choose, a little planning will help you start your adventure in Guatemala with ease and peace of mind.