Getting safely from GC airport to antigua

Hi! My sister and I are flying into GC in mid-december and hope to depart immediately from the airport to antigua. Are there direct services from the airport to antigua without having to go into the city (we've obviously heard very bad things about the safety of GC)? If so, which mode of transportation have you all found to be the safest? I have heard mixed things-some says the chicken buses are what is held up and others say tourist buses are robbed more often? Anyone have experience in this area? From what we have read, it seems that the most dangerous part of Guatemala is Guatemala city by far. We are not the type to be overly worried but as 2 female travellers we do want to be smart and cautious.

Not sure how you could have heard all of these things without realizing that the answers to all your questions are all over TT and TA with even the most rudimentary search. Mysterious indeed. Nothing given in this thread is going to differ from the last 100 on the subject.

Just get on a shuttle and go to Antigua. There hasn't been a story of one of of the airport-Antigua vans being robbed in many years. Plenty more tourists get robbed there than they do in Guatemala City (which is actually fairly safe for visitors), but the muggers probably not going to kill you as long as you use some common sense during the holdup. You might even get their Facebook and hang out later for drinks at Cafe Sky where you can all laugh it off. If you're planning on getting involved in the drug trade, OTOH, then that probably won't end too well. Not very well at all.

AS above...do a quick search and you will find hundreds of similar questions on this branch..at least one a week.

I agree with #1 on the shuttle....there are robberies on buses in Guatemala occasionally (both shuttle and 'chicken') but in the vast majority of trips,there are no problems.That route is not considered a risky one.

You have to move from one place to another somehow,so you need to take some kind of transport ;-)

Walk out airport doors at Baggage Claim, there are shuttles going to Antigua for $10PP and leave every 15-30 minutes. Its 45 minutes and they drop you at your lodging, or will find you a place if you don't have one.

Easy Peasy, no drama, 1-2-3 done.

I like the chicken buses, in the day time.

Transurbano stops outside the airport. Trebol station is where chicken buses depart for Antigua

First, you can follow general safety guidelines found throughout the forum--no flashy Rolex watches, etc. The airport is located inside Guatemala City. Inside the airport is pretty safe and modern. They generally do not allow anyone from the public inside without a ticket. I have always seen a very heavy security presence. One time I got my shoes shined directly in front of the airport. Members of the Guatemalan military were standing alert on the sidewalk guarding the entrance. If you want to get out of the airport asap, you can take a taxi that should cost about 200q. If the taxi driver notices you are very anxious, he may want to charge more. I've never personally taken the airport shuttles, but many people like them.

Although I like the buses that operate inside Guatemala City, I do not think it is a good idea to take them from the airport if you have luggage.

how to be safe?¿?¿?¿

easy

Have nothing someone would want to take away from you.

one small old backpack is all you need

Thank you to all who have replied (except #1). We appreciate your insight and your experiences as we are a bit nervous taking this on alone!

I asked about the transport because I wanted confirmation from those who have used the shuttle before. I had already done some research before posting and I found snarky suggestions to "look it up" or to have drinks with our muggers to be very unhelpful. If my posting was upsetting, there was no need for you to waste your time replying. I'm sure that that did not contribute to the sense of community that lonely planet is trying to foster on these discussion boards.

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Outside the airport you can get a shuttle to Antigua. Also you can arrange for a private pick up which is nice after a long flight in. Yes Guat city has its problems and it is much nicer to wake up in Antigua than there after you arrive. Photos of Guatemala see wolf calls.com. Just use common sense where ever you go.

Guatemala city isnt that bad. Overall I think the airport to Antigua shuttle is the best balance of safety and economy. I rarely use chicken buses in Guatemala choosing instead shuttles for the same reason. To enhance safety get an early start to arrive before happy hour never close to sunset. There is one shuttle outfit suspected complicit with a robbery and rape but it is not allowed here to name it. Some time ago it was posted on trip advisor. Laura F Melbourne Warning!!!! (hint hint)

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Anyone with a legitimate interest can ignore ill-considered advice to never travel "close to sunset," as airport shuttles have been doing night runs for many years without any issues.

In January we arrived at the airport at 9:00 pm and there was only one shuttle bus. We were the only people so we waited to see if others would arrive to share the shuttle. In order to leave, over an hour later, we paid almost as much as a private prearranged taxi to Antigua. Plus we had really crazy/fast ride. I would not count on there being a shuttle that you can hop on for $10. I would arrange for a private taxi through the hotel/hostel.

Just curious, why pay the same amount as a private prearranged taxi (how much?) when you could've just hopped in a normal one for $25-30, i.e. basically the same price or better if you have a few people?

There are always taxis there till at least midnight... just sayin'. Though I realize that this option might not be obvious when sitting next to the shuttle wondering when it's going to take off. Also, they really should have charged you the right price, regardless of how many people there were... that's their bad.

Its two different things to arrive during the day and expect a shuttle and to arrive late evening and expect a shuttle. Travel at night in Central America, is much different than travel during the day when things are busy. Getting in the evening a taxi is usually better for sure, no matter where you are IMO.

But the poster asked about getting to Antigua and said nothing of a evening arrival. In that case, the shuttle works for most people, its simple, easy and efficient.

As for Guatemala City, like most large cities in Central America, for a newbie can be a tad intimidating, they tend to be hectic, gritty, dodgy and requires some street smarts, and knowledge of where to go, and where not to go, whether its here or San Jose Costa Rica. Nighttime, a taxi is a must in the city, and going out at night depends on the travelers, where they are going, and where they are staying.

The same can be said for Antigua, nighttime is the greatest risk for a foreigner/traveler, comes with the territory.

I don't know what "bad things" the poster heard, I have been on this forum since 2001 and can't recall a traveler having an issue in the last few years, so what is "bad" is all relative. My wife and I walked the main areas of the city the weekend before Xmas, around the stadium, the Xmas Market, the Pedestrian plaza, the main Plaza and many churches with no problems, in 2010/11.

http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-569882

Better yet to plan your trip to arrive so as to enable transit to primary destination before dark. I know this isn't an option for everybody but I have always enabled to this even from Stockholm. Lycklig resa!

Nah, arriving in the Guatemala airport in the evening is standard, common, and completely safe. Many reputable shuttle companies also run during the early evening hours because they know it's safe as well. There's just no point in creating fear where it's not needed.

People tend to get a bit confused on this concept. Let's make it really simple: 1) renting a car and driving around Guatemala in the middle of the night = bad. 2) arriving at the airport after dark, traveling via night bus, using a taxi or taking a reputable shuttle in the evening hours = completely fine.

It's normal for humans to have an irrational fear of the dark (it's a caveman thing), but it's just not that big a deal unless you are talking about inexperienced people in their own vehicle.

As #21 said though, the "poster" (ahem) did not mention anything about arriving at dark, so it's a moot point.

Although the OP did not inquire specifically to night travel, she did express concern over safety at several places(the title reads "Getting safely from GC airport to Antigua") the safety of which time-of-day is integral. So I don't think it's entirely off-topic or unsolicited to offer advice thereon. And there is no need to insult other members for having different opinions.

the safety of which time-of-day is integral

Absolute nonsense. Getting from Guatemala City to Antigua is safe at any time of day or night. End of story.

If you create an account here to give dubious advice, expect it to be challenged. Anyone who feels "insulted" by getting their false claims shot down needs to move on; there's a difference between insulting an individual (or range of individuals using multiple names) and critiquing their "advice," and the latter is completely acceptable.

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actually it was a wonderful weekend... met Stacey and she mentioned she was going to have lunch with you. hoping that went well? as a resident of SP I certainly hope you got up to the cemetery to pay your respects...

you certainly know that getting from the GC airport to Antigua in the evenings is safe, how about some actual, ya know, contribution?

Didn't create an account to post a dubious reply. Been a member of the thorn tree for numerous years.

Original poster expressed concern. When I was researching my trip last year I was lead to believe by numerous posters here that shuttles were available most to the time. At least at the times I was travelling. I just wanted to suggest that they are not always there.

#28, sorry for the confusion, I was referring to the user who was suggesting that there is some sort of safety issue with arriving at night and getting to Antigua, which there is not... clearly you are legit and have posts going back for over a year. Still, according to your story, a shuttle was in fact available, but you just had to pay a bit more? (I've also seen most people here suggest that you can't always rely on a shuttle, and to have a backup plan, FWIW).

Still wondering why you didn't just take a taxi, which would've been cheaper? Either way, you got to Antigua fine and safely... as does everyone else who arrives in the evening. There are taxis moving through there until the very last flight comes in

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Well at least someone's enjoying themselves.

You're right though: pointless post, dubious info, silly waste of time.

Can I pay in $ for the shuttle from guatemala airport to antigua or must I first change
money to quetzal?

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