cuba > transportation in cuba
Cuba-Junky
HAVANA VARADERO VINALES TRINIDAD SANTIAGO
HOLGUIN BARACOA CIENFUEGOS CAYO COCO all destinations
Cuba destinations Cuba gadget shop

Write a review

Youtube

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest
 
 
Cuba Hotels
Cuba Car Rental
Cuba casas particulares
Cuba  flights
Cuba travel information
Cuba scuba diving
Cuba books
Cuba culture

 

 
Underground Cuba Guide
 
 

Havana Public Bus

Transportation in Cuba

Traveling around Cuba

When going to Cuba with the intention of traveling the whole or a part of the Island on your own; prepare yourself with a good map, a good guidebook and visit good discussion boards on the Internet like the Lonely Planet Thorntree, where people can give you advice on how to plan your vacation.
Remember Cuba is a HUGE island of 1200 km (745 miles) long

Cuba Maps
Road Maps of Cuba, BUY ONLINE
Itineraries

 

Renting a car in Cuba

Cupet gas station Cuba

Renting a car
You have to overthink a few things before you decide driving in Cuba.
Be in time if you want to make a reservation on forehand. Cuba does not have enough cars during high season (Dec/Jan/Feb and July/August) besides this, most car rental agencies have to ask availability in Cuba by email which takes time, sometimes even weeks.

Renting a car in Cuba is expensive but the other side is you can stop where you wanna stop and have all the time for your own, its well worth the money.

Book your car online

Car rental FAQ's


Bus

Viazul bus Cuba

Viazul Bus
Most easy and cheapest to go around Cuba is by the Viazul Bus. A modern airconditioned bus with video and toilet

More about the Viazul bus

Astro bus
The regular National public transportation Cubans will pay with CUP, foreigners in CUC
This bus drives all over the island, a bit cheaper than the Viazul Bus but less comfertable and reliable. The Astro bus has a few places for tourists per bus!


Reviews & Tips Viazul Bus

Send us your review


Name: Rose
Country: Canada


Viazul
I have been on the buses in Cuba so many times and from many different cities. One time in particular I was supposed to land at Veradero where my friends were waiting to pick me up at the terminal. However, my travel agent failed to tell me that my flight had to be changed to the day before and consequently no flight to Veradero. I was lucky enough to catch a last minute flight to Havana instead. The bus driver on Viazul took me from Havana all the way to Veradero and actually detoured to take me to the airport where my friends were still waiting for me to arrive even if I was almost 6 hours late. Other times I have had to fly into Holguin and get a ride to the bus station there and a bus takes you to Santiago de Cuba. Have never had a problem getting off where ever I needed to get off. However, I usually just go to the bus station anyway. As mentioned in some of the other posts - take a blanket, sweater or jacket, food and water as there are some long stretches with no stops and it can be quite cool (even cold) with the air conditioning. The price is very reasonable and no one ever asked for a tip or extra money to handle your luggage. One or 2 CUC's is all I ever give if I ask for help. One thing I will advise anyone that is travelling on any type of public transport do not flash your wealth. By that I mean - don't wear fancy jewellery or carry a wad of money around with you. Keep it in a money belt around your waist and just keep a little in your pocket. That way you won't temp anyone to try to rob you or take advantage of you. The penalty for that if they are caught doing it is very severe so why tempt them. It is rare that anyone would even try but it is better to be safe than sorry. Just enjoy the ride.


Name: Giuseppe Fristachi
Country: Italy

Travel in Cuba
Unless you have your own (quite expensive)car, the most common way to travel in Cuba is by Viazul long distance (and long travel time!) buses.
Tips:
- usually freezing temperatures in the bus;
- buses stop usually every 1,5-2 hours (at main bus stations)with additional 45min stops at restaurants if travelling at lunch/dinner time; not essential to bring own food during travel
- strongly recommended to pre-organize bus station pick up by Casa particular, to avoid the assault by jineteros
- not easy or, in some stations not feasible at all, to prebook locally or to be sure of place, in particular if getting the bus at intermediate stations; if feasible, strongly recommended, particularly during busy holiday periods, to buy in advance the tickets via internet (better from home country; note that internet is not simply accessible in cuba)


Name: Rob
Country: Holanda

Via Azul Camaguey
The staff asked me: 1 CUC per luggage to pay. Do NOT PAY this!
You paid for the bus that includes baggage.
I have written to Via Azul, but you do NOT get any response.
So, be warned with this company!!


Send us your review

 

Train

Since the last years the Cuban railways bought French first class airconditioned trains. Train schedules in Cuba are not reliable, you have to have some patience. I must say it is a real Cuban experience to go through Cuba by train, in specific for train fans, back-packers, and people who love to mingle with locals.

The nr 1 and 2 trains from Havana to Santiago de Cuba v.v is 4 hours faster than the Viazul Bus!
Remind that all other trains besides the number 1 and number 2 are never on time

Train timetables


Flights, tickets & airlines

Cubana Air

Taking a domestic flight saves you a lot of time to go p.a. from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. Besides this, if you would like to go to Cayo Largo you have no choice and have to take a domestic flight simply because there is no ferry transfer to this part of Cuba

Book your international or domestic flight and other flight info


Public transport

Cuban local taxi

As for a foreigner there is alot of local transportation not possible for the simple reason that it is forbidden for Cubans to take you with them in their car without an official piece of paper.

Since February 2011 it has become a bit more flexible as it comes to local taxi's in Havana and around Cuba.

You can hitchike in Cuba but remember you risk being in trouble

Check out the review tips below about local drivers

 


Reviews Local Taxi's

Send us your review


May 29 2013
Name: Gordon
Country: USA

Licensed Driver
Habana
We struck gold with Alejandro Risco :)

Ale came highly recommended via a popular B&B in Habana. This driver was not only a great driver but he impacted our trip is so many positive ways, he has a great sense of humor, he taught us all the in's & out's of Cuba! We had an opportunity to drive back into the vilages & explore where most never lay eyes on. That's what we wanted & Alejandro made it happen for us. His car is incredibly comfortable and spacious, it's similar to a BMW here in the states. Alejandro's services saved us from getting lost & probably never finding such unpopulated areas. Highlight of our trip!

Ale offers pick up and drop off as well as make long trips around the Island. Check out Alejandro Risco on Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/riscoarc or email him at riscoarc@yahoo.com.


Name: Martha Costa
Country: United States

Driver/tour guide

After 52 years, I returned to my native Cuba and was very fortunate to come across
our driver/tour guide by the name of Rey who picked us up from the Havana airport.
He is a highly educated, considerate, responsible gentleman. Besides being knowledgeable
about sightseeing and historical sights, he directed us towards lovely "casas
particulares",excellent reasonably priced restaurants and night life. We were mostly
impressed by the fact that he treats tourists fairly with the price of his services.
He made our trip very memorable and gave us the true feel of Cuban life. We recommend
him highly. Rey can be reached by email at rosacd@infomed.sld.cu. cell 2829276
or 2673892 (Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba). He drives a classic Ford and speaks English. His son also speaks English
and French and assists him with tours.


Name: Celia Nicholls

Driver

Just rtn'd from Cuba last month, we were worried about which driver we wanted to utilize while in Cuba, I was compelled to write this review about our driver Alejandro because he truly impacted our trip in so many positive ways. Alejandro practically drove us 4 hours up & down villages, city streets & anywhere we decided to adventure. He was very knowledgable, trustworthy and extremely reliable (like clock work). He's number one priority is your safety and your enjoyment while traveling Cuba. Alejandro has a "Skoda" very nice realiable car that is extremely comfortable for a family of five. He was a great photography and handled out iphone like a pro. He taught us a lot about the in's & out's of Cuba. Alejandro is VERY comical, he was a blast. He played great c.d.'s a! nd he was a true gentlemen.

I would highly recommend Alejandro Risco, check him out on Facebook or email him directly:
Email: @ riscoarc@yahoo.com
Facebook Alejandro: https://www.facebook.com/riscoarc
...You will LOVE this guy too :) cant wait to use him again in the fall.


Send us your review


Boat?

Havana ferry

Does there exists a ferry from ... to Cuba ??? ... NO!

There is no such thing as a ferry service from Cancun or whatever country to Cuba.
Yes, there is a company who has daytrips from Jamaica to Cuba by boat, but this company does not take passengers for just a transport to Cuba. One of the ferries that do exist is the ferry in Havana to Regla neigborhood, see the picture.

Cuban cruise terminals

Punta Francés
Isla de la Juventud

Terminal de Cruceros
Avenida Jesús Menéndez
Santiago de Cuba
Tel: +53 651763 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

 

Terminal de Cruceros de Cienfuegos
Calle La Mar
Cienfuegos
Muelle Olimpia Medina

Terminal de Cruceros de La Habana
Ave. del Puerto
Ciudad de La Habana

Cuban marinas

Gran Caribe Marina Cayo Largo
Cayo Largo del Sur, Archipiélago de los Canarreos
Isla Juventud
Tel: (53 45) 24 8213/8133/8214 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marina Gaviota Varadero
Autopista Sur final
Varadero
Tel: (5345) 996205 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marina Puerto de Vita
Puerto de Vita
Tel: (5324) 430475 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba
Gaviota SA

Marlin Marina Cayo Guillermo
Cayo Guillermo
Tel: (5333) 301737/301323 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marlin Marina Cienfuegos
Calle 35 e/ 6 y 8
Punta Gorda
Cienfuegos
Tel: (5343) 556120/551275 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

 

Marlin Marina Dársena Varadero
Autopista Varadero km 38
Varadero
Tel: (5345) 668060/667456 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marlin Marina Hemingway
5ta. Ave. y calle 248
Santa Fé
Tel: (537) 2045088 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marlin Marina Santiago de Cuba
calle 1ra. s/n, Rpto. Punta Gorda
Tel: (5322) 691446/686326 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marlin Marina Tarará
calle 7ma. Casa no. 25 e/ 2 y 11
Ciudad Tarará
Habana del Este
Havana
Tel: (53 7) 796 0240 / 796 0242 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba

Marlin Marina Trinidad
Península de Ancón
Trinidad
Tel: (5341) 996205 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba


Cuban numberplates

Cuban cars have different colored numberplates, these numberplates tell who is the owner of the car, where he comes from. Handy for you foreigner to know that yours will be red and starts with a T so people can see you are a tourist.

Yellow
Private Car

Dark Red
Beginning with a "T" (tourismo) is a rented Car

Orange
Second letter a K is a car of a foreigner working in Cuba

Light Orange
Managers and important people, free gasoline

Light Red
State own, have to return after working hours

Blue
State own, can go home after working hours

White
Officials / ministery

Black
Embassy

Green
Army

Light Green
Interior ministery


Bicycle

Biking around Cuba

Bike rent
I only know of one address where you can rent a bike in Cuba ...

Edificio Metropolitano, San Juan de Dios
esq. Aguacate, Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 860 8532 Cheap calls to CubaCheap calls to Cuba
Costs about 12 cuc a day

I recommend, if you want to bike around Cuba, bring your own bike.

Lonely Planet Cycling Cuba


Distances in kilometers

 
Hav
Pinar
Mata
Vara
SCl
Cienf
SanS
CdA
C.C
Cama
Tuna
Holg
Baya
SandC
Havana
*
Pinar del Rio
147
*
Matanzas
98
264
*
Varadero
142
308
36
*
Santa Clara
270
425
199
194
*
Cienfuegos
256
421
197
184
55
*
Sancti Spiritus
348
513
284
279
85
150
*
Ciego de Avila
423
588
359
354
160
220
78
*
Cayo Coco
491
656
420
422
219
286
170
92
*
Camaguey
533
698
469
464
270
330
186
116
202
*
Las Tunas
657
823
594
589
395
465
310
235
327
125
*
Holguin
734
900
671
606
472
532
387
312
404
202
77
*
Bayamo
757
897
670
655
471
531
386
311
403
201
76
73
*
Santiago de Cuba
860
1025
797
792
598
658
513
438
530
328
203
134
127
*
Guantanamo
910
1075
847
842
648
708
563
498
580
378
253
132
177
86

Top page


Lonely Planet Cuba

Casa Particular Directory App 

©Cuba-Junky | KvK / CC The Hague The Netherlands: 27315058 | About Us | Contact Us | Facebook| Links | Havana Journal | Add a Casa Particular |