This route is brought to you by a cool chica named Alicia. She did this route in Feb 2017. Look at the comments below to read other traveler advice and additions/updates.
*Note that the last bus leaving the border is at 6pm. But I always recommend planning for the bus before that. You never know when the last bus time will be the time before!
Antigua to Escuintla -8Q (1-1.5h)
– walk to the “bus station” (a huge unpacked lot) behind the local market and ask around for the buses to Escuintla, and someone will direct you
– I got there at 9am and the bus left 10 mins later. Not sure how often they run but I’m sure they run quite regularly
– I would suggest leaving at 7/8am
Escuintla to Frontera El Salvador – Q45 (2h)
– bus dropped me off right in front of the bus for la frontera. There was a man standing outside of our bus when it arrived directing people to the bus to la frontera
– we stopped for about an hour in Chiquimulilla before continuing onwards
– many places to get food at this stop, and several vendors will come into the bus selling food and drinks
El frontera to Sonsonate ($0.90USD) 1.5-2h
– the bus drops you off directly at Guatemala migration, where you will get “stamped out” of the country
– there is no stamp to get into El Salvador, so you just keep walking along the building, parallel to the main road, until you reach the crossroads. Keep walking straight. Ask people to direct you.
– several Tuktuk drivers will offer you rides and tell you it’s too far to walk. It’s not. Just keep walking across the bridge beside the long lineup of transport trucks. You’ll cross a second bridge where again you keep walking straight. Once you pass all of the buildings, the “bus station” is on the right. It’s just a tiny dirt parking lot.
– Bus 259 arrives every 30 mins or so. Take it to the very end. Sonsonate is the last stop
Sonsonate to Santa Ana
– this is a large bus terminal. From here there are several buses to surrounding towns. I went to Santa Ana ($0.70USD). I took bus 216. The station is very organized and there are always “bus helpers” directing you to your next bus if you don’t see 216 right away.
If you have done this route and have any info to add or update, please leave it in a comment below!
Thank you to traveller, Dennis for his contribution of this route in reverse: Santa Ana to Antigua
18-01-2023 Did the same route as Alexandra. Route is still up to date.
Still works exactly the same. Really easy and fun.
Hi, I did the route today, Sunday Nov 6th. Thank you so much for your info & tips.
Here is my update.
7h05: Arrival at Antigua bus terminal
1/ Antigua – Escuintla – 20 Q
7h15 – 8h25 = 1h10
2/ Escuintla to la Frontera – 70 Q
8h33 – 11h25 = 2h52
(Including 25′ break here and there) I didnt need to change buses in Chiquimulilla.
– Border crossing and walk to the bus station: 11h25 – 11h55 = 30′
3/ La Frontera – Sonsonate – 1$
11h58 – 13h45 = 1h47
4/ Sonsonate – Santa Ana 0.70$
13h54 – 15h30 = 1h36
Total 8h25. 90Q & 1,70$, so much worth compared to the 45$ for a shuttle ticket. It seems long but it was very smooth. I never waited long and people were very helpful. And as a solo female traveller, i never felt insecure!