How to Get Around Cuba

Viazul long-distance coaches are the standard way between cities — air-conditioned, reasonably reliable and cheap, but they sell out, so book ahead.

Colectivos, shared taxis running fixed intercity routes, are faster and not much dearer, and are often old American cars. A private taxi for a long leg is affordable if shared and is what many visitors end up doing.

Hire cars are available but expensive, frequently unavailable, and complicated by fuel shortages, which have been severe and mean long queues or no petrol at all. Do not plan a self-drive trip without a fallback.

Trains exist and are slow and unreliable.

Domestic flights connect Havana with the eastern cities and save a very long drive, though schedules change.

In town: bicitaxis, horse carts in smaller places, and shared fixed-route cars. Havana is walkable in the old city.