Getting There By Air:

Jose Marti International Airport (HAV)
Tel: (7) 649 5777 or 266 4644 or 649 5666.

Jose Marti International Airport is located about 20km (14 miles) south of the city center. International flights arrive into terminal three and domestic flights leave from terminal one. Havana handles flights from over 20 airlines serving about several international destinations, mainly in Central and South America and Europe. Virgin Atlantic (website: www.virgin-atlantic.com) is the only airline operating from the UK. Cubana (website: www.cubana.cu) is Cuba's national airline.

Approximate flight times to Havana: From London is 10 hours 40 minutes; from New York is 5 hours 5 minutes; from Los Angeles is 5 hours 40 minutes; from Toronto is 3 hours 40 minutes and from Sydney is 19 hours 20 minutes.

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 Cubanacan, which are local travel agencies for incoming tourists, also have desks here. An executive lounge is provided by the airlines for their passengers.

Transport to the city: There is currently no bus service from the airport into town. Metered tourist taxis wait outside the arrivals hall for the 30-minute journey into town. 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 purchase a seat on one of these minibuses from the local agent directly (in Pesos Convertibles (CUC)), if there is space.

Getting There By Road:

The road network throughout Cuba is not extensive and is not particularly well maintained, however, given the lack of vehicles on the road, it is adequate. Local roads, designated by two or three numbers, tend to be in a bad state of repair, 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 on-the-spot fines. 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. It is advisable to plan routes carefully, checking the location of petrol stations and always ensuring the vehicle is topped up with fuel, as petrol stations may have run out.

Emergency breakdown service:
None.

Routes to the city: The Carretera Central is the one main road in Cuba. It is fairly old but it 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 virtually deserted highway, the Autopista, runs from Pinar del Rio in the west through Havana and Santa Clara but only as far as Ciego de Avila in the east. A better maintained road, the Via 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 – 6 hours; from Ciego de Avila – 12 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Long-distance buses are operated by the state company Asociaciones de Transportes por Omnibus (ASTRO) (tel: (7) 870 9401/2). The bus network is extensive and is the most popular method of travel. Buses are almost always full but seats are usually found for Convertible Pesos (CUC) paying visitors. Buses depart from the Terminal de Omnibus Interprovinciales, Avenida Independencia 101 and Calle 19 de Mayo, and tickets are bought from the Venta de Boletines located there. Facilities include snack bars and shops. An alternative service aimed at visitors more than locals is operated by Viazul (tel: (7) 881 1413 or 881 5652 or 881 1108; website: www.viazul.cu). Air-conditioned buses operate on most major routes from Havana to Varadero, Viñales, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. The Viazul terminal is on Avenida 26 and Calle Zoologico, and tickets can be purchased from their office or at tourist desks in hotels. Payment is in Convertible Pesos (CUC).

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 Estacion Central, Calle Egido 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 café in the station to escape the chaos.

Rail services: Traveling by train is a great way to meet people, but the service is notoriously unreliable with frequent delays and cancellations. The main, and best, route is from Havana to Santiago de Cuba via Matanzas, Santa Clara, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey 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. There are no published timetables 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, particularly for long journeys.

Transport to the city: As few foreign visitors arrive in Havana by train, metered taxis at the railway station are scarce, but it is possible to find private ones. Visitors should always agree a price beforehand.

Getting Around:

Public Transport
There are two types of buses that operate around town, known as guaguas (‘bus’) and camellos (‘camels’ due to their hump-backed roofs). Both types are overcrowded and have non-existent timetables. Most visitors avoid this form of transport in Havana unless they are familiar with the routes. There is 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 the tourists, which charge in Convertible Pesos (CUC), and local taxis, which accept Cuban Pesos. The official tourist taxis are numerous and comfortable, being 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. Visitors should note that there is a premium for cars such as BMWs. Tipping is now allowed in Cuba and about 10% of the fare is always appreciated for good service. Reputable firms are: Fénix (tel: (7) 866 6666), Panataxi (tel: (7) 555 555) and Taxi OK (Grupo Transtur) (tel: (7) 877 6666; website: www.transtur.cu).

Anybody who owns a car in Cuba is willing to act as a taxi, but these are unofficial and passengers are likely to be overcharged. If you fancy a ride in a beautiful old American car, however, and don’t mind paying more than you would for the official taxis, you might want to take some of the locals up on their offer, as it is safe to do so.

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 pedaling 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. In addition, there are the relatively new, but limited in number, bright yellow scooter rickshaws. Rates for both 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. It is also permitted to turn right on a red light if the road is clear. Road signage is similar to Europe but often the lettering has completely faded and is impossible to read, particularly at night. The grid system of roads in Havana makes it straightforward to negotiate the city, but the biggest hazard is the large numbers of cyclists and pedestrians meandering along 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. 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. Valuables should be kept out of sight as hire cars have special number plates making it obvious that they are being driven by a tourist.


Car Hire
Havanautos (tel: (7) 649 5195) and Cubacar (tel: (7) 649 9800) both have desks at the airport. Most car hire desks in Havana, however, are located in the biggest hotels. Companies in Modern Havana include: Mi Car (tel: (7) 836 2020), Rex (tel: (7) 830 5919 ext 434) and Via (tel: (7) 554 954) at the Habana Libre Hotel. Havanautos (tel: (7) 833 3577) at the Riviera Hotel. Cubacar (tel: (7) 836 5910), Havanautos (tel: (7) 836 3402) and Mi Car (tel: (7) 835 7597) at the National Hotel. And Transtur (tel: (7) 204 3236) at the Melia Habana Hotel. Companies in Old Havana include: Cubacar (tel: (7) 866 6507) at Parque Central Hotel and Via (tel: (7) 866 9156) at Sevilla Hotel.

Renting a car is the easiest option for visiting places outside Havana, given the lack of and unreliability of public transport. 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. However, parts all have to be imported, which is a drain on hard currency, so 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, tires and so on, are in good working order.


Bicycle Hire
Some hotels hire bicycles for an average of CUC10 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 rented in the beach resorts but are strictly for use in the vicinity.


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