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Arrive · Havana

José Martí International Airport (HAV)

HAV to Habana Vieja: one pre-booked car through your casa host, 30–60 minutes for about 20 km (12 mi) — the risk is not the ride but landing after dark with no car and no way to pay.

Key facts

Default ride
Pre-booked car through your host to the door
Ride time
35–60 min
p50–p90
Fare
CUP 12,000
Late night after
21:00
on demand
Rules in force · 11Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…US State DepartmentUS citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel …No cardsCasa particulares expect a set arrival time
  • Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
  • Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
  • Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
  • Cuba ↗US State Department: Level 2, exercise increased caution (in place since 2025; the US Embassy reported another island-wide blackout on 18 September 2026). UK FCDO: against all but essential travel (updated 25 September 2026). Canada: avoid non-essential travel (updated 28 September 2026). Australia: reconsider your need to travel. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance still covers Cuba before booking (checked 2026-09).
  • Cuba ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Cuban embassy or official sources; most visitors need an e-visa (formerly the tourist card) and the online D'Viajeros form, and requirements change.
  • Cuba ↗US citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel to Cuba as tourists. The trip must fit one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories: family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; private foundations and research institutes; information and informational materials; and certain export transactions. Most independent travellers use 'support for the Cuban people', which needs a full-time schedule of activities with Cuban people and private businesses (casas, paladares, private guides), and records kept for 5 years. US persons may not stay at properties on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (11 more Havana hotels added 14 July 2025) or deal directly with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA and other military-linked businesses). Rules tightened in 2025–26; check OFAC before booking (checked 2026-09).
  • Cuba ↗Medical insurance is compulsory for entry: carry proof of a policy valid in Cuba, or buy a Cuban (Asistur) policy on arrival. US-based insurers are generally not accepted in Cuba; flights from the US include a Cuban medical policy in the fare — keep the boarding pass as proof (check with your airline). Hospital bills are payable in cash only, so buy cover with medical evacuation as well (checked 2026-09).
  • Cuba ↗No cards: US-issued debit and credit cards have never worked in Cuba because of the embargo, and since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard cards from any country are no longer accepted (Cuban Central Bank, after a foreign processor dropped FINCIMEX under US Executive Order 14404). Bring enough US dollars or euros in cash for the whole stay plus an emergency reserve (checked 2026-09).
  • Havana area ↗Keep one slack day in each week for fuel shortages, cancelled buses and power cuts.
  • Havana ↗Casa particulares expect a set arrival time: send your flight number and the time you expect to reach the door before you fly.
  • Havana ↗Bring cash for the whole stay before you fly: cards often fail, and ATM cash is not reliable.
--:--local time in Havana
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Directions
From where I am

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Plan

Your landing time, your bags, your bed

Lock your path to bed

Needs: landing time · bag class · sleep area
feasibledesk 24hlandside ready ~23:45 (p90)

Take Pre-booked car through your host to the door at 23:45. Bed by ~00:49 (+1) (p90).

Last viable for this bed: 06:00 (+1) (land by 03:15 (+1))

Sleep area not decided? Check the area first.

On the groundHideSteps from the gate, and what to do if it breaks

On the ground

Step by step from the gate, and what to do if it breaks

Zero-brain vs precision

Daytime default
Your casa host's pre-booked driver meets you outside customs; do not rely on a queue of taxis or on a ride app.
Precision
Terminal 3 handles most international flights; the driver waits outside arrivals with your name (field-verify). Taxi supply at night is thin and there is no dependable ride-hailing app.
Late-night threshold
21:00

Steps from landing

p50 / p90 minutes

  1. 8 / 15 min

    Gate to immigration

    all arrivals

  2. 30 / 75 min

    Immigration (tourist card and D'Viajeros form checked)

    only intl checked, intl cabin

  3. 25 / 50 min

    Baggage claim + customs

    only intl checked, domestic checked

  4. 10 / 25 min

    Meet the driver, load the car

    all arrivals

  5. 35 / 60 min

    Pre-booked car through your host to the door

    on demand, any hour · CUP 12,000

If it breaks

  • Send your host your flight number and the arrival time; ask for the driver's name and phone number in writing.
  • Bring enough cash for the car and the first days: cards often fail and airport ATMs may not work.
  • If your flight lands after 22:00, ask your host whether a car can wait, or book a room near the airport for the first night.
Other flights, questions and sourcesHideOther flights

Deep dive

Other flights

Still choosing flights? Compare inbound options before you lock this path.Google Flights ↗FlightConnections ↗

Sources

FieldValueSource typeConfidence
primary.yenabout US$25–35 quoted in dollarssecondary20%
primary.lastpre-booked car meets the flightsecondary30%