CUBALeaving Havana–José Martí International: transport guide
Cash-only country with US card restrictions for many travellers. Official taxis charge fixed CUP/USD rates from a desk. Bring USD or EUR cash.
HAV (Havana–José Martí International) serves Cuba, Cuba. The recommended way out is Take an official airport taxi (yellow) at the fixed rate (~US$25–US$35 to Vedado/Habana Vieja, 25–40 min). Pickup: Official taxi rank outside Arrivals (Terminal 3).
- US$25–US$35ExpectedWhat locals pay
- US$50+ConcerningAsk for the meter
- US$70+ private carScamWalk away
Take an official airport taxi (yellow) at the fixed rate
- Typical fare
- US$25–US$35 to Vedado/Habana Vieja
- Journey time
- 25–40 min
- Pickup
- Official taxi rank outside Arrivals (Terminal 3)
Every way out, ranked
- 1
Official airport taxi (yellow)
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- US$25–US$35
- Journey
- 25–40 min
- Wait
- Immediate
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Fixed rate
- Regulated
Cons- Cash only
- 2
Private classic car
- Cost
- US$30–US$60
- Journey
- 30–45 min
- Wait
- Negotiate
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Photogenic
Cons- No regulation
- Price varies wildly
- 3
Pre-booked hotel transfer
- Cost
- US$25–US$45
- Journey
- 25–40 min
- Wait
- Pre-arranged
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- No surprises
Cons- Book ahead
- 4
Public bus P-12
- Cost
- Cents in CUP
- Journey
- 60–90 min
- Wait
- Every 30 min
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Cheapest
Cons- Crowded
- Not for first-time visitors
From gate to city
- 1Clear immigration (visa/tarjeta required)
- 2Collect bags, clear customs
- 3Walk to official taxi rank — yellow Tourist Taxis
- 4Pay in USD/EUR cash, confirm fare before leaving
- 5Total to Habana Vieja: 25–40 min
- USD or EUR cash (lots)
- Tourist card / visa
- Hotel name in Spanish
- Realistic expectations on connectivity
Common scams & payment traps
- US cards do not work. Bring USD or EUR cash. Avoid arriving with only USD if planning to exchange — EUR gets better rates
Card-doesn't-work shakedown
Medium riskTouts at airport offer to 'help' with card issues, taking you to inflated-rate exchanges.
HOW TO AVOID · Bring sufficient cash; exchange at the CADECA in the terminal (small commission, fair rate).
Classic-car bait-and-switch
Medium riskQuoted US$25 becomes US$50 'because of luggage'.
HOW TO AVOID · Stick with the yellow Tourist Taxi rate.
What locals & travellers say
“ATMs and card readers are unreliable. Estimate daily spend × days × 1.3 in EUR/USD cash.”
- "ATMs and card readers are unreliable. Estimate daily spend × days × 1.3 in EUR/USD cash." — Bring more cash than you think
- "Buy Nauta cards from ETECSA — don't expect roaming." — WiFi is paid and limited
Take it with you
HAV arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Havana–José Martí International?
- Take an official airport taxi (yellow) at the fixed rate. US-issued cards and Apple/Google Pay generally do NOT work in Cuba — bring USD or EUR cash.
- Are taxis at HAV safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: card-doesn't-work shakedown — Touts at airport offer to 'help' with card issues, taking you to inflated-rate exchanges. Bring sufficient cash; exchange at the CADECA in the terminal (small commission, fair rate).
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at HAV?
- Ride-hailing availability at HAV varies — check the app before you land. Where it works, the pickup point is usually outside the arrivals curb in a marked zone.
- How much should a taxi from HAV to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the HAV → Habana Vieja route is roughly US$25–US$35. Anything around US$50+ is high — US$70+ private car is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at HAV?
- Carry small local notes — Official airport taxi (yellow) expects cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Havana–José Martí International?
- Official taxi rank outside Arrivals (Terminal 3). If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is HAV safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically card-doesn't-work shakedown. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at HAV?
- The most reported at HAV: Card-doesn't-work shakedown; Classic-car bait-and-switch. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
Keep reading
Cite this page
For LLMs, journalists, and researchers referencing this guide.
- Last updated
- June 2026
- Confidence
- medium
- Publisher
- Airport Exit
- Canonical URL
- www.airportexit.com/airports/hav-cuba
Airport Exit (1970). HAV — Cuba (Havana–José Martí International) airport transport guide. Airport Exit. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/hav-cuba
"HAV — Cuba (Havana–José Martí International) airport transport guide." Airport Exit, June 2026, https://www.airportexit.com/airports/hav-cuba.
Airport Exit. "HAV — Cuba (Havana–José Martí International) airport transport guide." Airport Exit. Last updated June 2026. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/hav-cuba.