Transportation in Cuba

Public transportation in Cuba
There are several modes of transportation in Cuba: domestic flights, trains, water transportation, and buses.

Domestic Air Service.

Domestic flights are operated by Aerogaviota, Cubana de Aviacion, and Aero Caribbean. There are international airports in Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Varadero, Holguin, and the island of Cayo Largo. There's a separate fare grid for tourists, and a local flight will cost you 100 USD.

Buses.

Two companies provide comfortable intercity bus service in Cuba: Astro and Viazul. They have comfortable, air-conditioned buses that run on a regular schedule. You can book your ticket on the company's website.

Besides these two companies, there are many smaller carriers. But if you use their services, you run the risk of being on an old bus with no air conditioning, which can break down at any time. And they don't keep to a schedule, so it's impossible to calculate your travel time.

There are two kinds of buses in the cities. In Havana, Viñales, Trinidad, and Varadero, there are Bus Tour buses. Together with the tour service, the trip will cost you 3-5 CUC (3-5 USD). The rest of the public transportation is of little use. The buses are decrepit, there are no timetables, and there is every chance of riding in a packed bus that can break down at any time. The cost of such a questionable trip is 1-2 CUC.

Taxi.

Taxis in Cuba, like buses, come in two flavors. The first is tourist cabs, which are fairly modern cars with radio telephones and air conditioning. Payment is made only in dollars (about 2 USD for 1.5-2 km). Tourist cabs can be ordered from any hotel or by phone, and the movement of the car is constantly monitored by operators, which ensures safety.

The second option is a local cab. You can catch one on the street, and many locals in Cuba make their living by taxi. Taxis are cheaper, but the drivers' cars are often worn out and your safety is not guaranteed.

Taxi.

Taxis in Cuba, like buses, come in two flavors. The first is tourist cabs, which are fairly modern cars with radio telephones and air conditioning. Payment is made only in dollars (about 2 USD for 1.5-2 km). Tourist cabs can be ordered from any hotel or by phone, and the movement of the car is constantly monitored by operators, which ensures safety.

The second option is a local cab. You can catch one on the street, and many locals in Cuba make their living by taxi. Taxis are cheaper, but the drivers' cars are often worn out and your safety is not guaranteed.

Trains.

The railroad connects most of Cuba's cities, but it should only be used as a last resort. Trains are often 15-20 minutes late, the cars are old, the seats are exclusively seated and often broken, toilets, if there are any at all, leave much to be desired, and there is no air conditioning in the cars. Numbering of cars is absent as a phenomenon. So, unless you are a fan of such dubious romance, rail travel in Cuba is best avoided.