Getting Around Cuba
Buses
Viázul is the bus company in Cuba that travels long distance to almost every main town and city on the island. Its buses are air-conditioned and offer a reliable service.
Slower and less reliable services are provided by Astro Bus. You can travel to almost every city and to many villages and as these services are significantly cheaper than Viazul, they are therefore increasingly popular with budget conscious travellers to Cuba.
Taxis
Havana has an excellent taxi system with hundreds of taxis serving both travellers and the local population. Havana's taxis are relatively cheap, metered and strictly controlled, at night fares increase by about 20%.
Car Hire
A cheap and easy way to get around the island is to rent a car however be aware road sign sometimes do not exist and the rules of the road are not always adhered to.
To drive in Cuba, you must be a minimum of 21 years old or older and hold either an International Drivers' License (IDL) or a valid national driver's license. You must also have at least one year's driving experience.
Most tourist hotels have a car rental bureau on site, but the main car rental agencies also have main offices in towns and you can also rent a car at the airport upon arrival.
Driving
Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Trains
Cuba's rail network runs the length of the island, linking several of the main cities and towns. Trains can be a good way to get around, if you want to travel with the locals and not in a tourist bus however they can be slow and not always reliable. You should allow for the occasional breakdown and unpredictable schedules.
The new 'Tren Francès' which runs from Havana to Santiago is a safe, comfortable and fairly reliable way to get from one end of Cuba to the other.
Boats
There are no ferries or public boat travel to Cuba.
Other
Due to several serious accidents, it is advisable to avoid travelling by the tricycle taxis you will see in many of Cuba’s towns.
