San José to Guatemala City by train
Guatemala City lies 873 km (542 mi) north-west of San José, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 12 h 33 min at the speeds typical of Costa Rica and Guatemala rail, over roughly 1,065 km (661 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
Open Guatemala City in Google Maps
| San José | Guatemala City | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Costa Rica | Guatemala |
| Population | 335,007 | 994,938 |
| Elevation | 1,133 m (3,717 ft) | 1,508 m (4,948 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-6 (America/Costa_Rica) | UTC-6 (America/Guatemala) |
| Stations on record | Pacífico railway station | none listed |
What changes when you arrive in Guatemala City
Crossing from Costa Rica into Guatemala: money changes from the Colon to the Quetzal (GTQ); the dialling code becomes +502; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648801 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648823.
Where to book trains from San José to Guatemala City
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Guatemala City
Our booking partner lists 88 places to stay in Guatemala City. Of the 74 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (40), and 1 are five-star. Across 12 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.5 out of 10. Guests have left 2,012 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Guatemala City
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Guatemala City from San José?
873 km (542 mi) in a straight line, north-west of San José; by road roughly 1,065 km (661 mi).
How long does it take to get from San José to Guatemala City by train?
About 12 h 33 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between San José and Guatemala City?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Guatemala City?
The Quetzal (GTQ).
Where can I stay in Guatemala City?
Our booking partner lists 88 places to stay in Guatemala City, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.