Book Affordable Bus Tickets to Antigua Guatemala
Daily shuttles and buses to Antigua Guatemala from Guatemala City, the airport, Lake Atitlán and beyond
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Antigua Guatemala — the country's UNESCO-listed colonial capital — sits in the Sacatepéquez highlands just an hour west of Guatemala City. For most travelers arriving in Guatemala, Antigua is the first real stop on the itinerary, and the easiest way to get there from La Aurora International Airport, downtown Guatemala City, or Lake Atitlán is by tourist shuttle or local bus.
Spring Bus connects you with operators running scheduled routes into Antigua from Guatemala City (~1 h), La Aurora Airport (~1 h with pickup), Lake Atitlán via Panajachel (~3 h), El Paredón on the Pacific coast (~3 h), and Quetzaltenango (~4 h). Below are the routes, typical fares, drop-off points, and travel tips for getting to Antigua by bus — book online and get an email confirmation before you land.
Popular routes to Antigua Guatemala
Estimated travel time, distance and shared-shuttle fare ranges for the most common routes into Antigua Guatemala.
From Guatemala City
- Duration
- ~1 h
- Distance
- 45 km
- Fare (shared shuttle)
- $15 – $25 USD
- Frequency
- Multiple daily departures
From La Aurora International Airport (GUA)
- Duration
- ~1 h
- Distance
- 50 km
- Fare (shared shuttle)
- $20 – $30 USD
- Frequency
- Hourly during peak hours
From Lake Atitlán (Panajachel)
- Duration
- ~3 h
- Distance
- 125 km
- Fare (shared shuttle)
- $25 – $35 USD
- Frequency
- Morning + afternoon departures
From El Paredón (Pacific coast)
- Duration
- ~3 h
- Distance
- 115 km
- Fare (shared shuttle)
- $25 – $35 USD
- Frequency
- Daily morning departures
From Quetzaltenango (Xela)
- Duration
- ~4 h
- Distance
- 210 km
- Fare (shared shuttle)
- $30 – $40 USD
- Frequency
- Daily departures
From San Pedro La Laguna
- Duration
- ~3.5 h
- Distance
- 140 km
- Fare (shared shuttle)
- $25 – $35 USD
- Frequency
- Morning + afternoon departures
Routes from Antigua Guatemala
Direct bus and shuttle service leaving Antigua Guatemala for other destinations in Guatemala — tap any route for travel time, fares, operators, and FAQs.
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Lake Atitlán
3 h · $15–$25 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → El Paredón
2 h 45 min · $15–$25 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Guatemala City
1 h 15 min · $10–$20 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Quetzaltenango
4 h · $25–$40 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Monterrico
2 h 45 min · $15–$30 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Chichicastenango
2 h 45 min · $15–$25 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Río Dulce
7 h · $30–$50 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Semuc Champey
9 h · $30–$50 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Flores
12 h · $30–$60 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → San Salvador
5 h 30 min · $30–$60 USD
Bus route
Antigua Guatemala → Copán Ruinas
6 h · $25–$50 USD
How to get to Antigua Guatemala by bus
Three transport modes serve Antigua. Most international travelers choose the first.
By shared tourist shuttle (recommended for most travelers)
Tourist shuttle vans are the dominant way to reach Antigua. They run on fixed schedules between Antigua and the main origin cities, pick you up at your hotel or at La Aurora Airport, and drop you near Parque Central or directly at your accommodation. Shared shuttles run $15 – $25 USD per person from Guatemala City, $20 – $30 from the airport, and $25 – $35 from Lake Atitlán or El Paredón. Booking ahead is recommended during Holy Week and Christmas/New Year, when shuttles fill quickly.
By public bus ("chicken bus")
Local camionetas — repainted U.S. school buses — leave Guatemala City's main terminals (Centra Sur, Cementerio) for Antigua throughout the day. A one-way ticket costs around Q15 (≈ $2 USD), but you'll be navigating a Spanish-only system, managing your luggage on a crowded bus, and likely changing buses for any destination beyond Antigua. Best suited to travelers comfortable with public transit and Spanish; not recommended late at night.
By private transfer
For a more direct, scheduled experience — especially with luggage, with a group, or at odd hours — private transfers run $40 – $80 USD from Guatemala City and $60 – $120 from the airport, depending on the operator and group size. You travel door-to-door without other passengers.
About Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala was the colonial capital of Spanish Central America until the 1773 earthquake destroyed much of the city. Today its surviving baroque facades, ruined convents, and cobblestone grid make it one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas — and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The city sits in a valley surrounded by three volcanoes (Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango), is famous for its Holy Week processions and sawdust carpets, and serves as the launching point for hikes up Acatenango. Coffee farms, Spanish-language schools, and a thriving café and restaurant scene round out the appeal.
Travel tips for getting to Antigua Guatemala
- Book shuttles ahead during Holy Week. It's the busiest week in Antigua — shuttles and hotels sell out 3–4 weeks in advance.
- Most shuttles drop near Parque Central (Plaza Mayor). Confirm the drop-off point if you're staying on the outskirts of the city.
- Bring cash for tuk-tuks, markets, and chicken-bus tickets. Most shuttle bookings are paid online, but the local economy runs on quetzales.
- Best months to visit are November to April — Guatemala's dry season, with cooler highland air and minimal rain.
- Pack comfortable walking shoes. Antigua's streets are uneven cobblestone — heels and thin soles are not friendly.
- La Aurora (GUA) is your arrival airport. All shuttle routes listed on this page offer airport pickup as an origin option.
Bus to Antigua Guatemala — frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Guatemala City to Antigua?
Tourist shuttles from Guatemala City to Antigua take around 1 hour, depending on traffic on the CA-9 highway. Public chicken buses take 1.5 – 2 hours due to multiple stops along the way.
Where do shuttles drop me off in Antigua?
Most tourist shuttles drop passengers near Parque Central (Plaza Mayor) or, depending on the operator, directly at your hotel. Confirm the drop-off point with your operator when booking — many include door-to-door delivery within Antigua.
Can I take a public bus instead of a shuttle?
Yes. Local chicken buses run from Guatemala City's Centra Sur and Cementerio terminals to Antigua throughout the day for around Q15 (about $2 USD). They're significantly cheaper but slower, more crowded, and largely Spanish-only — best suited to budget travelers comfortable with public transit.
Is it safe to take the bus to Antigua?
Tourist shuttles between Antigua and the main origin cities (Guatemala City, the airport, Lake Atitlán, El Paredón) are widely considered safe and are the standard option for international travelers. Public chicken buses are also generally safe during daytime hours; most travelers avoid them at night.
How early should I book during Holy Week (Semana Santa)?
Holy Week is Antigua's busiest week of the year — book your shuttle, lodging, and any tours 3 to 4 weeks in advance, especially for the days around Holy Thursday and Good Friday when the city's famous processions take place.
Is there a bus from La Aurora Airport directly to Antigua?
Yes. Multiple shuttle operators offer airport pickup and run direct service to Antigua, typically priced $20 – $30 USD per person. Pre-booking is strongly recommended so a driver meets you at arrivals.
Other destinations in Guatemala
DestinationTikal
Petén
Ancient Maya city and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Guatemala's Petén jungle. Towering pyramids, the Great Plaza, and the Temple of the Jaguar, reached by a one-hour shuttle from Flores; the most-visited archaeological site in Central America.
DestinationLake Atitlán
Sololá
Volcanic crater lake in Guatemala's western highlands, ringed by three volcanoes and eleven Mayan villages including Panajachel, San Pedro, and San Marcos La Laguna. Reached by tourist shuttle or public bus from Antigua and Guatemala City; primary entry point is Panajachel.
DestinationEl Paredón
Escuintla
Pacific coast surf village in Guatemala's Escuintla department, roughly 3–4 hours by shuttle from Antigua and 4–5 hours from Guatemala City. Known for consistent year-round waves, beach bungalows, eco-lodges, and a laid-back atmosphere that draws surfers from around the world.
Read more about this destination
GuideAntigua Guatemala: a guide to the colonial city
Explore the UNESCO colonial city — cobblestone streets, baroque churches, ruins, museums, and the surrounding volcanoes.
GuideHow to get to Antigua Guatemala from any city
Routes from Guatemala City, Lake Atitlán, and beyond — shuttle, bus, and taxi options compared.
GuideChurches and cathedrals of Antigua Guatemala
The most iconic religious architecture in the city — baroque facades, ruins, and active cathedrals.
GuideHoly Week in Antigua Guatemala: what to expect
Processions, sawdust carpets, and the most-visited Easter week in Latin America.
GuideThe best museums in Antigua Guatemala
From Mayan jade to colonial textiles — where to dive into Guatemala's cultural heritage.