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