Transportation
Everything below is privately owned and independently operated — licensed cuentapropista drivers, classic-car owners and private transfer companies. Read how each one actually works before you land, so you are not negotiating on a curb at midnight.
A licensed independent driver, door to door, price agreed before you get in.
The 1950s convertibles you have seen in photos, hired by the hour from their owners.
A private car or van booked online in advance, with a named driver meeting you.
Short-hop private rides run by individual owner-operators.
Old Havana, Trinidad and Viñales town centres are genuinely walkable.
Cuban roads are slow. These are honest door-to-door estimates in a private car, including one stop.
| Route | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Havana airport (HAV) → Old Havana | 30–45 min | Traffic and queues at arrivals add up. |
| Havana → Varadero | 2–2.5 hrs | The most common transfer route on the island. |
| Havana → Viñales | 2.5–3 hrs | Good highway, then narrow rural roads. |
| Havana → Cienfuegos | 3.5–4 hrs | Often combined with Trinidad the same day. |
| Havana → Trinidad | 5–6 hrs | Do not attempt it as a day trip. |
| Varadero → Trinidad | 4.5–5.5 hrs | A long coastal leg — book a full vehicle. |
Private operators price by vehicle, not by seat, so the right size car is the single biggest lever on cost. Luggage capacity is usually the binding constraint, not seats.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern sedan | 1–3 | 2 large cases | Couples and solo travellers on airport runs and city transfers. |
| Classic American car | 1–4 | 1–2 small bags | Sightseeing by the hour, not luggage-heavy transfers. |
| Minivan (Hyundai H1 or similar) | 4–6 | 5–6 cases | Families and small groups on long inter-city legs. |
| Large van | 7–12 | 10+ cases | Groups travelling together; cheapest per person on long routes. |
| Van with driver for the day | 1–8 | Varies | Multi-stop day trips where the vehicle waits for you. |
Independent operators run on WhatsApp, email and word of mouth. Knowing the sequence in advance keeps you out of curbside negotiations.
Send your flight number, arrival date and time, passenger count, luggage count and exact accommodation address. Ask for the vehicle type and total price in writing.
You want the driver's name, a contact number and the meeting point. Screenshot it — you may have no data when you land.
At Havana airport, drivers wait just outside arrivals with a name sign. Confirm the name and the agreed price before loading bags.
Most private drivers are paid in cash on arrival, in euros or US dollars. Carry small bills — change is rarely available.
Tipping is not mandatory but is customary and appreciated: roughly 5–10 percent, or a few dollars on a short ride.
A driver you trust becomes your fixer for the rest of the trip — day trips, onward legs and the return to the airport.
Say the number out loud, confirm the currency, and confirm whether it is per person or per car. This single habit prevents most disputes.
Foreign cards frequently fail in Cuba. Bring euros or US dollars in small denominations and never rely on finding an ATM.
Airport pickups, early departures and connections to a cruise or a second flight should be arranged in advance with a private operator.
Connectivity is patchy. Screenshot your booking confirmation, your driver's name and your accommodation address before you fly.
Breakdowns, fuel queues and weather are normal. Leave two hours of slack before any flight or paid activity.
Private transfers are priced per car. Four people sharing one van almost always beats four people booking separate rides.
No. Uber, Lyft and similar apps do not operate in Cuba. Everything is arranged directly with independent drivers or through a private transfer company in advance.
Modern sedans and vans usually have seatbelts; classic cars often do not. Child seats are rare — request one explicitly at booking and expect to confirm it twice.
Most travellers should not. Fuel supply is uneven, signage is thin, roadside assistance is limited and rental availability is unpredictable. A private driver costs less stress and often less money.
Euros and US dollars in cash are widely accepted by private operators. Foreign cards often fail, so plan to bring the full trip budget with you.
Airport pickups and long inter-city legs: at least a few days, and two to three weeks in high season (December to March, July and August).
Give the driver your flight number at booking — they track arrivals. Message them as soon as you can, and agree in advance whether waiting time is charged.
We do not sell rides. Our partners do — browse private drivers, day trips and inter-city routes and book directly with them.