Antigua Guatemala to Flores: Night Bus or Flight?

If you’re travelling to Guatemala, chances are you’ll be ticking off a few of its bucket-list locations. And at some point, that probably means figuring out how to get from Antigua to Flores (or the other way around).

Antigua is a beautiful town with its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and epic volcano views, I actually found it hard to leave here and ended up coming back multiple times! Meanwhile, Flores is a tiny island full of character that sits just a stone’s throw from the incredible Mayan ruins of Tikal. Both are absolutely worth visiting, but here’s the catch, they’re not exactly close together.

Luckily, you’ve got two main choices to get between the two: a night bus that is long but a budget-friendly option, or a flight from Guatemala City, which is way faster but can cost a bit more. When I travelled through Guatemala, I stuck to buses and shared shuttles, but if you’re short on time, flying might be your best bet.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect from each option so you can decide which one works best for your trip!

Antigua To Flores At A Glance

Before jumping into this guide, here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from each mode of transport.

Travelling Between Antigua And Flores By Night Bus

As I mentioned earlier, I stuck to using the night buses and shuttles during my 5 weeks in Guatemala. I think they are a really great way to get around, if you have the spare time that is!

How Much Does The Night Bus Cost?

The average cost of a night bus is around $50–$65 per person, but the earlier you book, the better the price you’ll get!

It’s always worth shopping around to find the best deal but most accommodations can book tickets for you, or you can check online (I’ll cover that in more detail shortly!).

Another great thing about taking the night bus is that it saves you the cost of a night’s accommodation since you’ll be sleeping on the bus, which saves you even more money in the long run!

How Long Does The Night Bus Take?

Getting from Antigua to Flores by night bus takes around 12–13 hours in total. This includes a shuttle from Antigua to Guatemala City, which takes around 1–2 hours, before you transfer to the overnight bus for the rest of the journey to Flores.

When you stop in Guatemala City to switch buses, you may have to wait for a little while in between. I wouldn’t leave the bus station during this time as it’s not safe to walk around Guatemala City at night.

The bus from Guatemala City to Flores doesn’t make any stops, so be sure to bring plenty of snacks and water (though you’ll probably end up sleeping most of the way). Don’t worry though, there’s a toilet on board!

Where To Book The Shuttle Between Antigua And Flores

There are a few ways to book your shuttle and bus from Antigua. Most accommodations can sort this for you, which is how I booked most of my journeys. I found it the easiest option as I usually booked things very last minute!

If you like to be a bit more organised than I am and plan ahead, you can book your night bus online through GuateGo.

Is It Safe To Travel By Night Shuttle?

I travelled by night bus and shuttles multiple times on my solo trip through Guatemala and I always felt safe personally.

There are a few things you can do to avoid any unwanted situations though. As I mentioned earlier, when switching from the shuttle to the night bus in Guatemala City, stay inside the bus station. You shouldn’t have to wait too long and it’s best not to wander around outside.

Keep your valuables out of sight, but make sure to keep them in a bag that you’ll carry with you on the bus rather than storing it underneath.

Travelling Between Antigua And Flores By Flight

If you have less time on your Guatemala trip, or just don’t fancy the idea of sitting on a bus for all that time, then flying to Flores from Antigua is a great option.

I didn’t travel this way myself since I had plenty of time in the country, so a long bus journey wasn’t an issue for me.

How Much Does A Flight Cost?

Flight prices can vary depending on how far in advance you book, the time of year, and how full the flights are. From checking Skyscanner, they typically range between $60–$130, so if you manage to book on the cheaper end, the cost isn’t too different from the night bus.

Keep in mind, though, that you’ll also need to pay for a shuttle from Antigua to La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City, which usually costs around $20.

How Long Is The Flight From Antigua To Flores?

The flight from Antigua to Flores only takes an hour, which is obviously way quicker than the night bus! But you’ll also need to factor in some extra time. Getting to the airport from Antigua takes about 1–2 hours, plus the time for check-in, bag drop, and security.

This still saves you way more than half the time you’d spend on the night bus, and if you catch an early morning flight, you’ll have a good chunk of the day left to explore once you reach Flores!

Where To Book A Flight Between Antigua And Flores?

You’ll be best shopping around for the best flight deals on flight comparison sites such as Skyscanner and Google Flights.

You can easily book your shuttle to the airport through your accommodation, or if you’d rather sort it in advance, you can book it here.

Where To Stay In Antigua

Antigua has lots of beautiful places to stay for all types of budgets, some have amazing views of the surrounding volcanoes!

Budget: Flore Hostel

A cozy boutique-style hostel in a great spot, close to cafés, restaurants, and bars. There’s a rooftop terrace to chill on, and breakfast is included in the price!

Mid-Range: Ojala

A super cute place with private rooms and dorms, all with a stylish boho vibe. There are two gardens, a terrace, and free breakfast to start your day right.

Luxury: Posada del Angel

Set in a gorgeous colonial house, Posada del Angel has elegant rooms full of character, a swimming pool, and a terrace with epic views of Volcán Agua. Breakfast is included too!

If you’re planning to hike Acatenango Volcano, you can even stay up there for the night!

Where To Stay In Flores

Flores is a tiny island, you can literally walk around the whole thing in about 20 minutes! But despite its size, there are plenty of great places to stay.

Budget: Los Amigos Hostel

This is where I stayed in Flores, and I loved the social vibe here! With a bar and a garden area, it’s an easy place to meet other travellers. They have both dorms and private rooms, so you can pick what suits your budget.

Mid-Range: Casa Ramona

A stylish boutique hotel with charming decor, a variety of room options, and a rooftop terrace for soaking in the views. Plus, breakfast is included!

Mid-Range/Luxury: Hotel Isla de Flores

This place has a cozy, rustic feel with stunning lake views. It’s got all the essentials you could need, an onsite bakery, a rooftop bar, and even a pool for cooling off after a day of exploring.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re heading from Antigua to Flores or the other way around, both the night bus and a flight are solid options!

If you’ve got time to spare and want to save on a night’s accommodation, the night bus is the way to go. But if you’d rather get there as fast as possible and don’t mind spending a bit more, hopping on a flight makes the most sense.

Either way, both places are incredible, and I have no doubt you’ll have an awesome time exploring them!