Getting to Havana via Varadero = Cheaper
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and flights directly to Havana are always needlessly pricey, so I fly to Varadero, which is significantly cheaper to fly to, because it’s the most popular destination and then transport to Havana by whatever means I have available.
Transfer to Havana from Varadero by Viazul Bus
Viazul buses go to Havana from Varadero four times a day. Departure times from Varadero are:
8 am
11.25 am
3.30 pm
6 pm
They reach Varadero airport in approximately 25 minutes. The cost to Havana is cheap – only CUC$ 10.80 per person and you’ll be there less than 3 hours (CUC is Cuban Convertible Peso – tourist currency you will be using in Cuba). Viazul buses are modern and air conditioned.
Transfer to Havana from Varadero by Train
Trains are painfully slow and not recommended. Unless you’re really adventurous and have crap loads of time to kill, look for another means of transfer.
Transfer to Havana from Varadero by Taxi
Taxi would be the most expensive means of transfer, but it’s the fastest and most convenient. It costs CUC$ 80 to pay for a taxi from Varadero airport to Havana, however you may be able to gather other travelers you’ll meet around airport and if four of you jump in a taxi, it will work out reasonably cheap per person.
Havana via Varadero = Cheaper
If you don’t have anyone to go with, then just get a taxi by yourself. It costs CUC$ 80.00 – if you add this cost to the price of plane ticket to Varadero, it still worls out cheaper than a ticket directly to Havana. At least for me who lives in Edmonton. If you have a reasonably priced direct flight to Havana, fly direct. But also check out the option of flying to Varadero and then transferring to Havana. At worst it will cost you CUC$ 80, so if plane ticket to Varadero is $200 less than to Havana, save yourself some cash. Varadero is 134 km away which can be done in less than 2 hours by car.
Hitch-hiking is also an option and frequently used by adventurous travelers on a budget.
- For information on getting to Havana directly, visit: Ways to Get to Havana from Abroad
- For additional information about Havana, visit: Havana – Complete Guide
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November 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Thanks for the info on the bus schedule, I can’t wait to get there.
http://www.vancouvertravelwatch.com/varadero/
February 28th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
how much the taxis charge approx.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Hi! Cn you please confirm that Viazul buses stop at the airport so that there is direct connection from Veradero airport to Havana? Is advance booking necessary, or can one buy tickets upon arrival?
September 26th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Could you tell us approximately how many ‘crap loads’ it will take on the train to Varadero from Habana?
December 9th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Hi,
Thanks for the info. You mention that the bus is under 3 hours from Veradero to Havana. I assume the bus makes some stops along the way whereas by taxi you will go direct. How long does the taxi take?
Thanks again.
Stew
February 21st, 2011 at 12:35 pm
How long is that train? crap loads?
March 27th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
The Viazul bus stops at Varadero airport 30-40 mins after it leaves DT Varadero..watch for it just stops and goes (because its usually rare for them to pick up a Havana bound customer but they do stop there)
March 27th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
the bus takes 3 hrs with 2 x 15 min smoke and piss breaks along the way