Getting There By Air:

José Martí International Airport (HAV)
Tel: (7) 246 4133 or 266 4644.

José Martí International Airport is located about 20km (14 miles) southwest of the city center. International flights arrive into Terminal Three and domestic flights leave from Terminal One.

Airport facilities: These include duty-free shops, restaurants, bureaux de change, a tourist information office, a hotel reservation desk and car hire desks. Ground agents Havanatur and Cubanacán, which are local travel agencies for incoming tourists, also have desks here. An executive lounge is available for a fee.

Transport to the city: There is no bus service from the airport into town. Metered tourist taxis wait outside the arrivals hall for the 30-minute journey into the city center. The fare is CUC15-25. Tour operators arrange minibus transfers with ground agents; these are pre-booked by their own clients. However, it might be possible for an independent traveller to buy a seat on one of these minibuses from the local agent directly.

Approximate flight times to Havana: From London is 10 hours 40 minutes; from Miami is 40 minutes; from Cancún is 1 hour; from Toronto is 3 hours 40 minutes and from Sydney is 19 hours 20 minutes.

Getting There By Road:

Cuba’s road network - in various stages of disrepair - runs the entire length of the island. While there are few automobiles on the road, drivers have to maneuver among hitchhikers, cyclists, trucks and horse-drawn carriages. Local roads, designated by two or three numbers, tend to be in bad shape generally, often little more than unnamed tracks. Traffic drives on the right and road signs are similar to those used in Europe. The speed limit in towns is 50kph (31mph), 90kph (55mph) on main roads and 100kph (62mph) on the highway. Speeding offences and minor infringements at intersections are liable to fines payable upon hire car return. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08% and offenders will be fined heavily.

It should be noted that there is no automobile association in Cuba and, although car hire companies generally have an emergency number for breakdowns, motorists often have to rely on locals for assistance. Planning routes carefully, checking the location of petrol stations (erring on the side of caution regarding fuel levels), ensuring there’s a spare tyre and carrying a Spanish phrasebook, are advisable.

Emergency breakdown service: None.

Routes to the city: The national highway is known as Ocho Vías (Eight Lanes) as it leaves Havana heading west to Pinar del Río and east through Santa Clara to its terminus in Ciego de Ávila. This wide, modern highway is in good repair but has zero lighting, making night driving difficult, if not downright dangerous. The older national artery, the Carretera Central, is a slower alternative and runs the length of the island from La Fé on the western tip of the island via Havana and then Santa Clara down to Guantánamo in the east. Trinidad is reached by branching off this road before Santa Clara. A better maintained road, the Vía Blanca, links Havana with the main beach resort of Varadero.

Driving times to Havana: From Varadero - 2 hours 30 minutes; from Pinar del Rio - 2 hours 45 minutes; from Trinidad - 5 hours; from Santa Clara - 3 hours; from Ciego de Avila - 7 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Cuba’s bus network is extensive, making bus the most popular way to travel by far; the recent influx of Chinese-manufactured buses means more reliable service than in the past. Most visitors travel by Víazul (tel: (7) 881 1413; website: www.viazul.cu). Overly enthusiastically air-conditioned buses operate on most major routes from Havana to Varadero, Viñales, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. The Víazul terminal is on Avenida 26 and Avenida Zoológico, and you can buy tickets from their office or at tourist desks in hotels. Payment is in Convertible Pesos (CUC). The state company Asociaciones de Transportes por Omnibus (ASTRO) (tel: (7) 870 9401) also operates long distance buses. Aimed more at locals than tourists, ASTRO buses have a more extensive route network and reach where Víazul doesn’t. Buses depart from the Terminal de Omnibus Interprovinciales, Avenida Independencia 101 and Calle 19 de Mayo (very near the Plaza de la Revolución), and tickets are bought from the Venta de Boletines located there. Facilities include snack bars and shops.

Getting There By Rail:

Cuba is the only Caribbean island with a functioning rail service, which is operated by Ferrocarriles de Cuba. There is no national enquiries number but information can be obtained from the main station in Havana, the Estación Central, Avenida Bélgica and Calle Arsenal (tel: (7) 862 1920). The station tends to be rather crowded with patient passengers surrounded by large piles of luggage waiting for delayed trains. There is a cafe in the station to escape the chaos.

Rail services: Train travel is a great way to meet people and experience a slice of Cuban life, but the service is notoriously unreliable with frequent delays and cancellations. For those with the time and wherewithal, it makes for an unforgettable journey. The main, and best, route is from Havana to Santiago de Cuba via Matanzas, Santa Clara, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey and Las Tunas. The overnight express service between Havana and Santiago is the fastest, taking a minimum of 15 hours. There are several branch lines from this main line. Published timetables don’t exist, so it is imperative to check times well in advance and make a reservation in person at the La Coubre ticket office (tel: (7) 860 3163) by the station.

Getting Around:



Public Transport
There are two types of buses that operate around town, known as guaguas (‘bus’) and articulados (long, articulated buses). Bus services have improved immeasurably recently, with new vehicles, more frequent service and expanded schedules. Although bus routes and schedules remain unpublished, novel new signs at bus stops indicate routes served. Most visitors avoid this form of transport in Havana unless they are familiar with the routes and bus etiquette. For instance, there’s a strict system of queuing and visitors should make sure they are at the end of the queue by asking for ‘el ultimo’ (the last one). The fare is payable on board. The service operates around the clock but there are very few buses in the middle of the night.

Taxis
There are two categories of taxis in Havana: those for tourists, which charge in Convertible Pesos (CUC), and local taxis, which accept Cuban Pesos (also known as Moneda Nacional - MN). Official tourist taxis are numerous and comfortable (i.e. air conditioned). Taxis can be flagged down in the street or found waiting outside the main hotels. Rates are about CUC1 per kilometer, and the meter should be turned on at the start of the journey, though in practice drivers often negotiate an off-meter fare. Visitors should note that there is a premium for taxis such as Mercedes Benz’. Tipping about 10% of the fare is always appreciated for good service. Coco taxis are yellow, three-wheeled vehicles carrying up to three people; they’re about half the price of regular taxis; you can contract them by day. Reputable firms are: Fénix (tel: (7) 866 6666), Panataxi (tel: (7) 855 5555) and Taxi OK (Grupo Transtur) (tel: (7) 877 6666; website: www.transtur.cu).

Many car owners in Cuba act as freelance taxis, but these are unofficial and passengers should bargain aggressively to avoid being overcharged. If you fancy a ride in a beautiful old American car, Gran Car (tel: (7) 873 5705) runs a fleet of lovingly restored antique cars (including convertibles) serving as taxis.

Bicitaxis
A pleasant way to move around the city is to hire a two-seater bicitaxi, which are similar to Asian rickshaws with the driver pedalling from the front. There is no need to look for them as the drivers solicit tourists continuously, seemingly unable to believe that anybody would choose to walk. Rates are similar to normal taxis (CUC1 per kilometer).

Driving in the City
The volume of traffic in Havana is increasing rapidly and motorists will find that driving in the city can be a nerve-racking experience. The system at traffic lights (when they are working) is different from other countries - a flashing amber light means proceed with caution. Unless expressly prohibited, it’s permitted to right on a red light. Road signage is improving, but still wanting. The grid system of roads in Havana makes it straightforward to negotiate the city, but the biggest hazard is the large numbers of cyclists, pedestrians and dogs meandering along, often in the middle of the road. Night driving is particularly difficult as most cyclists ride without lights, street lighting is limited and there are many unmarked potholes. Drunk drivers are another hazard.

Parking is relatively straightforward, however, as most hotels have car parks for use by their guests, although there is generally a charge for this facility. There are also few parking restrictions around the city, so this is not a problem. However, at hotels where there is no secured parking, it is worth paying the doorman a small fee to keep an eye on the vehicle if parking overnight. Leaving valuables in hire cars should be avoided since the special number plates make it obvious they’re being driven by a tourist.

Car Hire
Most car hire companies have desks at the airport, including Rex (tel: (7) 642 6074, Cubacar (tel: (7) 649 9800), and Havanautos (tel: (7) 649 5195). Car hire desks are also ubiquitous in the bigger hotels. Companies in the Vedado district include: Mi Car (tel: (7) 836 2020) and Havanautos (tel: (7) 838 4679) at the Habana Libre Hotel.  Rex and Havanautos (tel: (7) 836 4766) both have large offices on the Malecón at Callle Línea (tel: (7) 836 7788), Cubacar (tel: (7) 836 5910) and Mi Car (tel: (7) 835 7597) at the National Hotel and Transtur (tel: (7) 204 3236) at the Melía Habana Hotel. Companies in Old Havana include: Havanautos (tel: (7) 866 6507) at Parque Central Hotel and Rex (tel: (7) 868 1000) at the Saratoga Hotel.

Hiring a car is the easiest option for visiting places outside Havana, especially those beyond the Víazul bus routes. However, it is an expensive way to move around Havana itself and most people prefer taxis.

The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years. An International Driving Permit is not required, a valid national license is sufficient. The purchase of insurance can only be arranged locally, and it is possible to opt to pay a large deposit, in lieu of insurance, which is refundable if the car is returned undamaged. It is worth noting that a driver involved in an accident is judged guilty until proved innocent.

The car hire companies in Cuba are all local, although car models for hire are Japanese, Korean or French. Since all parts have to be imported, draining hard currency reserves, standards are not always what a visitor would expect. Before driving any distance, it is advisable to check for any damage and that all parts, such as windscreen wipers, lights, spare tires and so on, are in good working order. Luxury cars - BMWs, Audis and the like - are available for hire at Rex.

Bicycle Hire
Some hotels hire bicycles for about CUC7 per day and this is a convenient way to get around, although not recommended after dark. Again, bicycles for hire are imported and are not always well maintained. The state of the streets is also not good - with potholes causing problems, especially at night. Mopeds can be hired in the beach resorts but are strictly for use locally.


Next Page »

Related Havana Content