Tikal from Guatemala City: your options
Tikal sits in the Petén region in the north of Guatemala, far from the capital. The road distance from Guatemala City is about 484 to 527 km depending on the route. There are three realistic ways to cover it: a one-day trip with flights, a scheduled flight that you combine with your own plan, or a long bus ride to Flores.
If you only have one day, the flight tour is the only option that fits. If you have two or three days, flying to Flores and staying overnight gives you more time at the ruins. Antigua has its own section further down.
Our picks: Tikal from Guatemala City
Both include return flights to Flores. The day trip is long; the two-day trip adds a night and Yaxhá.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tikal and Yaxhá in two days with flights
- Return flights to Flores
- One night
- Guided Tikal and Yaxhá
Return flights from Guatemala City to Flores, one night, transport and guided visits to Tikal and Yaxhá. Check whether the entry fees are included.
Check availability →
Tikal in one day by air from Guatemala City
- Return flights
- Park entry
- Traditional lunch
Return flights to Flores, airport transfers, the park entry, a bilingual guide and lunch. The airport tax of $3 is paid at check-in.
Check availability →Tikal tours and day trips
Guided Tikal tours from Flores and El Remate, with live prices and availability.
Flight, bus and shuttle compared
Examples for 2026. Times and prices can change, so check them for your travel date.
| Option | Time | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day trip with flights | 05:40–18:00 | $360 per person, minimum 2 people | Hotel to La Aurora airport transfer, return flights, private road transfer, guide, day entry and lunch. Museums are not included. |
| Scheduled flight, own plan | About 1 hour in the air | Check the airline | The flight only. Add the 63 km from Flores to Tikal and the park ticket. |
| Bus to Flores | About 9 hours | About GTQ 262.50 (class A) or GTQ 315 (class B) on one line | The ride to Flores. Tikal is another hour by road. |
| Antigua to Flores shuttle | 04:00 departure, about 10 hours | GTQ 325 per person | One shuttle. Other shuttles take 12 to 15 hours. |
For most visitors the flight is the simplest choice, either as the one-day trip or as a scheduled flight with a night in Flores. The bus suits travelers on a tight budget who can spare a full day each way.
Flying from Guatemala City to Flores
The airport is Mundo Maya International (FRS), in Santa Elena.
Airlines
TAG and Avianca both sell flights from Guatemala City to Flores. Departure times and fares change, so look at current schedules before you choose a day.
The one-day trip
A private operator offers a day trip from Guatemala City from 05:40 to 18:00. The price is $360 per person for at least 2 people, subject to flight availability. The flight takes about 1 hour. Ask the operator what the price covers for your group before you book.
From the airport to the ruins
Mundo Maya airport is not on the Flores island and not at the ruins. Flores to Tikal is 63 km, about 1 hour by road. The full route and the shuttle times are on the how to get to Tikal page.
How to get to Tikal →Staying overnight
A night in the area lets you enter the park early or stay for the evening window. Special access costs extra and needs an authorized guide. See the Tikal sunrise tour page for the details.
By bus from Guatemala City
Long, but the lowest fares.
Autobuses del Norte, Fuentes del Norte and Línea Dorada connect Guatemala City with Flores. Ask the company for current departures. The ride takes about 9 hours. One line charges GTQ 262.50 for class A and GTQ 315 for class B. Treat both as a guide, not as a booking price.
The bus ends in the Flores area. From there you still need a shuttle or taxi for the last 63 km to the park. Plan a night in Flores, then visit Tikal the next morning. A same-day return from Guatemala City by bus is not realistic. For places to sleep, see where to stay near Tikal.
Tikal from Antigua
There is no direct flight from Antigua, so the usual routes start with Guatemala City or an overland shuttle. One Antigua to Flores shuttle leaves at 04:00, takes about 10 hours and costs GTQ 325 per person. You buy the ticket the day before and wait at the pickup point 30 minutes early. Confirm the current schedule before you plan around it. Other shuttles take 12 to 15 hours.
With 10 hours or more each way, a same-day trip from Antigua does not work. Plan an overnight in Flores or El Remate. For the Antigua side of the trip, including the road to the capital, see Guatemala City to Antigua.
Continuing to Belize
Some travelers connect Tikal with Belize.
The border crossing on this route is Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Belize side and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala. A shuttle from Belize City to Flores takes about 5 hours and costs about $20. Border processing may come on top of that time. Belize charges a land exit fee of $20. Other border costs can apply, so check them before you go.
Travel advice for Petén
Official advice differs by country. Read the current version before you go.
Austria
Valid since 25 September 2026, the advice rates Petén and the border area with Mexico at level 3 of 4. It advises against non-essential travel there and suggests flying to Tikal where possible.
Germany
The advice, valid since 20 August 2026, points to a risk of robbery, including in Flores and Tikal. Road blockades are possible, so clarify your route in advance. Do not hike alone.
United States
Guatemala is at level 3 since 12 March 2026. Tikal remains a permitted destination for US government staff, who are asked to avoid driving at night outside Guatemala City. Plan to arrive in daylight.
Tourist help
The tourist assistance line ASISTUR answers at 1500 or +502 2290-2810 and on WhatsApp at +502 5188-1819, in Spanish and English.
These notices are not a ban on visiting Petén. They are a reason to prefer a flight, travel in daylight and keep to guided programs at the park.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
How to get to Tikal
Flores airport, shuttles and the road to the park.
Flores on the lake
The island town most visitors use as their base.
Tikal tickets and hours
Entry prices, the sunrise supplement and opening hours.
Weather and best time
Rain, heat and what to expect by season.
Tikal from Guatemala City: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Tikal from Guatemala City in one day?
Yes, with a flight. A one-day trip with flights runs from 05:40 to 18:00 for $360 per person, minimum 2 people, subject to flight availability. A day trip by road is not realistic.
How long is the flight to Flores?
About 1 hour. Add the 63 km from the Flores airport area to Tikal, which takes about 1 hour by road.
Is there a bus from Guatemala City to Flores?
Yes. Autobuses del Norte, Fuentes del Norte and Línea Dorada connect the two cities. The ride takes about 9 hours, and the last part to Tikal needs a shuttle or taxi.
Can I do Tikal from Antigua in a day?
No. The overland shuttle takes about 10 hours or more each way, and there is no direct flight. Stay a night in Flores or El Remate.
Is the park ticket included in the day trip?
The one-day trip includes day entry, with museums excluded. Other tours differ, so read the inclusions on each card.
Is this the official Tikal website?
No. This is an independent guide. Tickets are sold through the official ticket shop, and tours are booked with the operators shown on the cards.