Discover Cuba, the vibrant Caribbean island where colonial architecture meets revolutionary history and pristine beaches. Experience colorful Havana's classic cars, salsa rhythms, and world-class cigars in this unique destination frozen in time.
- Public
- Local guagua buses exist but are overcrowded, unreliable, and Cuban-peso only — not practical for tourists. Viazul intercity buses are reliable and tourist-friendly.
- Taxi
- Official yellow state taxis (Panataxi/Taxi OK) are metered and reliable. Classic car taxis for tours. Private unmarked taxis cheaper but negotiate firmly.
- Rental
- Car rental gives freedom to explore Cuba's countryside but availability is limited and road conditions vary. Book months in advance.
- Walking
- Old Havana and Trinidad historic centers are very walkable. Havana's broader city requires taxis between neighborhoods.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official taxi (Panataxi/Taxi OK): $25-30 to Havana center
- Shuttle
- Private taxi (pre-booked): $20-25
- Bus
- Shuttle bus (Transtur): $10 to Parque Central, Vedado, and Playa hotels
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Local buses (guaguas) available in major cities but crowded and payment in CUP only. Not recommended for tourists. Viazul and Conectando buses serve tourist routes between cities.
- Cost
- Local: $0.50-1 CUP, Viazul intercity: $10-50 depending on distance
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bicycle, bicitaxi
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Official taxis
- Yellow state taxis with meters, base fare $1 + $0.50-1 per km. Always negotiate price before departure as meters often 'broken'
- Classic cars
- Vintage American car taxis $20-40/hour for tours, negotiate firmly
- Private taxis
- Unmarked private cars, cheaper but negotiate hard, typically $5-15 for city trips
- Coco taxis
- Yellow coconut-shaped three-wheelers, fun but expensive, $5-10 for short trips
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Viazul
- Description
- Tourist bus service connecting major destinations. Air-conditioned, reliable, affordable. Book online in advance.
- Routes
- All major tourist cities
- Cost
- $10-51 depending on distance
- Website
- https://viazul.com
Conectando
- Description
- New premium bus service with better comfort than Viazul
- Cost
- Slightly more expensive than Viazul
Astro
- Description
- Local bus service for Cubans, payment in CUP, very cheap but crowded and unreliable
- Cost
- $2-10 for long distances
Flights
Cubana de Aviación operates domestic flights between major cities. Saves time but can be delayed or cancelled. Book through agencies.
Routes: Havana to Santiago, Holguín, Varadero, etc.
Cost: $80-150 one-way depending on route
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
José Martí International Airport
From centre: 15 km southwest of Havana
Options: Official taxi (Panataxi/Taxi OK): $25-30 to Havana center; Private taxi (pre-booked): $20-25; Shuttle bus (Transtur): $10 to Parque Central, Vedado, and Playa hotels; Classic car taxi: $30-40 (iconic experience)
Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport
From centre: 25 km from Varadero
Options: Airport taxi: $30-35 to Varadero hotels; Resort shuttle: Often included in packages; Private transfer: $25-30 pre-booked; Shared shuttle: $10-15 per person
Antonio Maceo Airport
From centre: 7 km from Santiago de Cuba
Options: Taxi to city center: $8-12; Hotel shuttle: $5-10; Private taxi: $10-15
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bajanda
Cuban ride-hailing app for Havana — limited availability but growing. Works with internet connection.
Viazul Online
Book Viazul intercity bus tickets in advance at viazul.com — essential for popular routes during peak season
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book Viazul bus tickets online 48 hours in advance — routes to Viñales, Trinidad, and Varadero sell out in peak season
Agree on taxi fares before entering any vehicle — meters are often claimed to be broken
Classic car tours are priced per hour; negotiate clearly and confirm what is included before setting off
Rental cars must be booked months in advance — Cuba has limited rental fleets and high demand in peak season
Keep petrol receipts when driving — police checkpoints are common and documentation is required