Bus from San Salvador to Antigua Guatemala
Tourist shuttles + cross-border Pullman · ~5-6 hours with border · $30-60 USD · Daily departures
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The San Salvador → Antigua Guatemala route is the standard cross-border transit between El Salvador and Guatemala — popular among travelers combining the two countries on a Central American itinerary. Tourist shuttle direct is the easiest option; Pullman + onward shuttle is the alternative.
Spring Bus connects you to operators on this route — Adrenalina Tours + similar tourist-shuttle operators run direct San Salvador → Antigua daily ($30-50 USD, ~5-6 hours including border). Tica Bus + King Quality + Pullmantur cross-border Pullmans run to Guatemala City ($25-45 USD), then onward shuttle to Antigua ($10-20 USD, ~1 hour).
Route details: San Salvador to Antigua Guatemala
Travel time
5 h 30 min
Distance
260 km
Typical fare
$30 – $60 USD per person
Frequency
Daily tourist shuttle + multiple cross-border Pullman options
First departure
Approx. 5:00 AM (tourist shuttle)
Last departure
Approx. 10:00 AM
Operators on this route
Tica Bus · King Quality · Pullmantur · Adrenalina Tours direct shuttle
Pickup at San Salvador
Hotels in San Salvador (Escalón, Zona Rosa, San Benito) + SAL airport via pre-arranged shuttle
Drop-off at Antigua Guatemala
Door-to-door drop at Antigua hotels and hostels around Parque Central + La Merced + Calle del Arco area
About the journey
The San Salvador → Antigua Guatemala route is the standard cross-border transit between El Salvador and Guatemala — ~5-6 hours including the Las Chinamas / San Cristóbal border crossing. Tourist shuttles (Adrenalina Tours + similar) run direct daily ($30-50 USD, door-to-door). Tica Bus + King Quality + Pullmantur cross-border Pullmans run to Guatemala City; from there onward shuttle to Antigua (~1 hour).
Travel tips for San Salvador → Antigua Guatemala
- Tourist shuttle direct is the easy option — Adrenalina Tours and similar run $30-50 USD door-to-door, ~5-6 hours including border formalities (~1-2 hours).
- Las Chinamas / San Cristóbal border is the standard crossing — well-organized + reliable.
- Pre-book shuttle a day or two ahead in high season (Nov-April).
- Border formalities ~1-2 hours each way — bring passport + small USD cash for any incidental fees.
- USD accepted on both sides — no currency exchange needed at border.
- Earliest shuttles (~5-6 AM) arrive Antigua mid-afternoon — gives evening + next day for onward planning.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from San Salvador to Antigua Guatemala?
**About 5-6 hours** including the Las Chinamas / San Cristóbal border crossing (~1-2 hours of formalities). Direct tourist shuttle door-to-door from San Salvador hotels to Antigua hotels.
How much is the bus from San Salvador to Antigua Guatemala?
**$30-50 USD per person** for direct tourist shuttle (Adrenalina Tours and similar). **$25-45 USD** for Tica Bus + King Quality cross-border Pullman to Guatemala City, then $10-20 USD shuttle to Antigua. Direct shuttle is the easier option.
What's the border crossing like?
**Las Chinamas (El Salvador side) / San Cristóbal (Guatemala side)** — the main border crossing. Well-organized, ~1-2 hours of formalities each way. No visa required for most Western travelers (US, Canada, EU). Bring passport + small USD cash for incidental fees. Border open ~6 AM - 10 PM.
Can I take a Tica Bus or King Quality direct to Antigua?
**No direct to Antigua** — Tica Bus + King Quality run only to Guatemala City. From there, transfer to a tourist shuttle to Antigua (~1 hour, $10-20 USD). Adrenalina Tours and similar tourist shuttles run **direct to Antigua** — easier overall.
When do shuttles leave San Salvador for Antigua?
**Typically 5-6 AM and 10 AM** daily for tourist shuttles. Pre-book a day or two ahead. **Tica Bus + King Quality** Pullmans run multiple daily — book a day ahead, more flexible timing.
Going the other direction?