Landed at La Aurora and Antigua's the plan? You're not alone — it's probably the single most common first move for anyone arriving in Guatemala.
**Short answer:** a shared shuttle is the easiest way. Around 45 minutes to an hour, Q150-200 per person, and if you've booked ahead, someone's already waiting for you when you walk out of arrivals.
## The options
**Shared shuttle** — the default choice for most travelers. Picked up right outside arrivals, dropped directly at your hotel in Antigua. Runs Q150-200 per person.
**Private transfer** — same trip, just for your group. More expensive at Q400-600 for the vehicle, but no other passengers or stops.
**Taxi** — lined up right outside arrivals. Costs more than a shuttle, and worth agreeing on a price before you get in since metered fares aren't standard here. If going the private transfer route, and not preorganized, we would suggest using Uber.
**Public bus** — possible in theory, not something we'd suggest for a first arrival with luggage. You're looking at at least one transfer, and it won't get you to your hotel door.
## Booking ahead vs. sorting it out on arrival
This is the part that actually matters. Book before you fly, not after you land. On guateshuttles.com you pick Guatemala City as your start point, and the airport as your pickup, select the departure time that fits your arrival (plus immigration, bags and such) time, and pay online in a couple of minutes — your confirmation is sitting in your inbox before you've even boarded. After a long haul flight, not having to negotiate transport in an unfamiliar airport is genuinely worth the five minutes it takes ahead of time.
## What to expect on the ground
Immigration and baggage claim take up the first chunk of time — usually 30-45 minutes, sometimes longer if a few flights land close together. Your shuttle picks you up outside of the airport on the right hand side, in front of Cafe Baretto. If there are issues finding you, you will be contacted via WhatsApp on the phone number you entered during booking.
From there, it's a mix of highway and mountain road into Antigua. Smooth traffic, you're looking at 45 minutes. Bad timing with rush hour on either end, it can stretch to 90.
## A few things worth knowing
- Book at least 24 hours ahead, particularly for late-night or early-morning landings when fewer shuttles are running
- Build in buffer time — flights run late, immigration lines are unpredictable, and Guatemala traffic doesn't run on a schedule
- Keep your phone charged and WhatsApp handy — our operators coordinate any urgent communication that way
## Common questions
**How much does it cost?**
Q150-200 per person for a shared shuttle, Q400-600 for a private one. Our ride: 150 Q per person.
**How long is the drive?**
About 45 minutes without traffic, up to 90 during rush hour.
**Do I really need to book in advance?**
Yes, especially outside normal daytime hours — arranging something on the spot after a long flight is more hassle than it's worth.
**Is it fine to arrive at night?**
Perfectly normal. Established shuttle services run scheduled night pickups — just have it booked ahead rather than improvising at the airport.
Want the full breakdown — including a step-by-step airport walkthrough, luggage tips, and what to do if your flight is delayed? Check out our [complete Guatemala City Airport to Antigua guide](/blog/guatemala-city-airport-to-antigua).