How to get from Havana Jose Marti Airport to Old Havana

Havana José Martí International Airport (HAV) ⇄ Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is a straightforward 20–40 minute trip by taxi or prebooked transfer, with slower but cheaper shuttle and local bus options if you’re on a tight budget; this guide walks you through each choice with typical prices, timings and step-by-step directions so you can start exploring the historic center as soon as you land.

At A Glance (Havana Jose Marti Airport to Old Havana)

Mode	Duration	Best For
🚕 Airport Taxi (Official Yellow or Classic Taxi)	~20–40 minutes door-to-door	First-time visitors, late arrivals, heavy luggage
🏷️ Cost: ~USD 25–35 per car (up to 3–4 passengers) prebook a Havana airport taxi
🚗 Prebooked Private Transfer	~25–40 minutes door-to-door	Fixed pricing, groups, extra comfort
🏷️ Cost: ~USD 25–45 per car depending on vehicle and time airport transfers | compare cars on GetTransfer
🚌 Hotel / Shared Shuttle Bus	~40–60 minutes incl. hotel stops	Travelers whose hotel includes shuttle, solo travelers
🏷️ Cost: Typically ~USD 10–20 per person (often bundled with hotel stay) see Havana hotels with transfers
🚍 Local Bus + Shared Taxi	~60–90 minutes (connections dependent)	Ultra-budget travelers, Spanish speakers, no bulky bags
🏷️ Cost: Well under USD 3 equivalent per person (local bus + shared taxi), pay in CUP cash on the spot

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / Most Convenient: Take an official airport taxi or a prebooked private transfer straight to your accommodation in Old Havana, especially if you arrive late, are jet-lagged, or have heavy luggage.
• Best Balance of Cost & Comfort: If your alojamiento or hotel already includes a pickup, use the hotel or shared shuttle bus – you’ll save compared with a private taxi but still get dropped near your door.
• Cheapest (Most Adventurous): Use the local bus plus shared taxi if you speak some Spanish, travel light and don’t mind slower, less predictable journeys.
• Traveling with Kids or Lots of Gear: A prebooked transfer with a larger vehicle (minivan) is usually the least stressful – your driver will track your flight and wait if you’re delayed.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Prebook if you arrive late at night: For arrivals after dark or during busy holiday periods, reserve a car in advance via Welcome Pickups Havana or compare options on GetTransfer Cuba so your driver is waiting at arrivals.
• Have cash in small bills: Most taxis are cash-only. Bring EUR or USD and some CUP if available; agree the fare clearly before getting in and check if payment is in foreign currency or CUP.
• Check if your hotel offers a shuttle: Many large hotels and some casas can arrange a shared or private shuttle; when browsing places to stay on Booking.com or Trip.com, look for “airport transfer” in the amenities.
• Print or screenshot your accommodation address: Mobile data can be patchy; have your Old Havana address saved offline in Spanish so taxi drivers can quickly recognize the street.
• Plan onward tours from Old Havana: Once checked in, you can browse city walks, classic car rides and day trips using GetYourGuide experiences in Havana.
• Luggage storage if you have a long layover: There’s limited official storage at the airport; if you plan to overnight or move on by bus later, consider booking luggage storage with Radical Storage at a partner location in the city.

🚕 Option #1 — Airport Taxi (Most Popular, Direct)

Door-to-door 24/7 Agree fare first

• Overview: Official yellow taxis (and many classic American cars used as taxis) wait outside each terminal at José Martí International Airport. They run directly into Old Havana and will drop you at your hotel or casa particular door.
• How to book (with price): Most travelers simply walk to the taxi rank and negotiate a fixed fare before riding. Expect around USD 25–35 per car to Old Havana depending on time of day, car type and bargaining. If you prefer to lock in a driver and price in advance, you can prebook on Welcome Pickups Havana or compare dedicated airport cars via GetTransfer.
• Pros: Fastest and simplest; available 24/7; direct drop-off at any address. Cons: Cash only; meters are rarely used so you must agree and confirm the fare upfront.

Step-by-step: Airport Taxi

1. After customs, exit into the arrivals hall and follow signs for “Taxis” to reach the taxi rank just outside.
2. Show the driver your Old Havana address (written or on a map) and confirm you’re going to “Habana Vieja” so there is no confusion.
3. Agree the total fare before getting in. Confirm whether the price is in USD, EUR or CUP and whether it’s per ride (not per person).
4. Load your luggage; keep passports, cash and electronics with you on the back seat rather than in the trunk.
5. Ride into the city via Avenida de la Independencia/Boyeros; typical journey time is 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
6. Pay the driver in cash when you arrive and ask to be dropped as close to your accommodation door as possible (many streets in Old Havana are pedestrian, so you may walk the last few minutes).

Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Taxi Rank)

• From Terminal 3 (most international flights): The main taxi rank is directly outside arrivals; ignore touts inside and walk to the official line of yellow or licensed taxis.
• From Terminal 2 (some regional and charter flights): Exit arrivals and follow signs to taxis or walk to the shared taxi area by the main road if you prefer a colectivo.
• If your flight changes terminal: Free internal shuttles occasionally connect terminals; otherwise taxis can shuttle you between terminals cheaply if needed.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚗 Option #2 — Prebooked Private Transfer (Fixed Price, Meet-and-Greet)

Stress-free arrival Fixed fare Good for groups

• Overview: Prebooked transfers work much like taxis but you arrange them online before your trip. A driver meets you at arrivals with a sign, helps with luggage, and takes you directly to your accommodation in Old Havana.
• How to book (with price): Use services like Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer to choose the vehicle size and see the full price upfront. Expect around USD 25–45 per car depending on time, car class (standard vs. premium) and group size.
• Pros: Driver waits even if your flight is delayed; clear pricing ahead of time; better if you need a child seat or larger vehicle. Cons: Must be booked in advance; slightly more expensive than hailing a local cab if you’re good at bargaining.

Step-by-step: Prebooked Private Transfer

1. Before traveling, visit Welcome Pickups Havana or GetTransfer Cuba and enter “Havana Airport (HAV)” as pickup and your Old Havana address as drop-off.
2. Select your vehicle (standard car, minivan, etc.), check the total fare and confirm your booking with flight number and arrival time.
3. After landing, go through immigration and baggage claim; your driver will usually be waiting at arrivals with a sign showing your name.
4. Confirm your name and destination, then follow the driver to the car; you normally won’t need to negotiate any price as it’s prepaid or fixed.
5. Ride directly to Old Havana; if staying in a pedestrian street, ask your driver to drop you at the nearest accessible corner.
6. For your return to the airport, you can book the reverse route with a fixed pickup time from your accommodation.

Getting to the main embarking points (Prebooked Transfer Meeting Point)

• Terminal 3 arrivals: Most drivers will wait just outside customs in the arrivals hall; look for your name on a sign before visiting ATMs or exchange desks.
• Terminal 2 arrivals: Smaller terminal, similar setup – drivers usually wait at the main exit from customs where all passengers emerge.
• Missed connection with your driver: Use the app or confirmation email contact details from Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer to coordinate; free waiting time is usually included.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #3 — Hotel / Shared Shuttle Bus (Cheaper, Less Flexible)

Per-person pricing Good for solo travelers Fixed schedule

• Overview: Some large Havana hotels and tour operators run shuttle buses between the airport and main hotel zones, including parts of Old Havana and Centro Habana. Services are often timed around common flight arrivals and can be slower due to multiple stops.
• How to book (with price): If you’ve booked a package or stay with a major hotel chain, check your confirmation for shuttle details or email your hotel in advance. Expect around USD 10–20 per person. When searching for accommodation on Trip.com Havana hotels or Booking.com, look for “airport shuttle” under facilities.
• Pros: Can be cheaper than a taxi if you’re alone; booking may be bundled with your hotel. Cons: Less frequent; may not stop at private casas; fixed departure times can mean extra waiting.

Step-by-step: Hotel / Shared Shuttle Bus

1. When reserving your hotel in Havana, check if it offers airport shuttles and whether Old Havana properties are included in the drop-off route.
2. Provide your flight number, arrival time and hotel address when booking the shuttle; confirm whether payment is in advance or on arrival.
3. After landing, follow the instructions from your voucher (some shuttles have a desk in arrivals, others meet at a specific exit or bus bay).
4. Board the shuttle when called, stowing luggage in the hold; keep valuables with you in a day bag.
5. Expect several stops across the city; if your exact address isn’t served, get off at the nearest major hotel or plaza and continue a short distance by local taxi or on foot.

Getting to the main embarking points (Shuttle Bus Pickup)

• Terminal 3: Many shuttles depart from clearly signed bus bays or directly outside the arrivals hall; look for your company or hotel name.
• Terminal 2: If your shuttle only serves Terminal 3, take a local taxi or internal airport shuttle to Terminal 3 first, then board.
• If your hotel is in Old Havana: Check whether the shuttle drops directly in Old Havana or at a nearby hotel zone (like Vedado) and whether a short taxi connection is needed at the end.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚍 Option #4 — Local Bus + Shared Taxi (Cheapest, Most Adventurous)

Ultra-budget Local experience Not ideal with big bags

• Overview: Local city buses and shared taxis (“máquinas”) connect the airport highway with central Havana. This option involves walking to a bus stop on the main road or transferring at a nearby terminal, then changing to a shared taxi or local bus into Old Havana.
• How to pay (with price): City buses cost just a few CUP, and shared taxis are usually the equivalent of USD 1–2 per ride. Pay the driver in local currency; there is no advance booking and buses can be very crowded, especially at rush hour.
• Pros: By far the cheapest way in; offers a window into local daily life. Cons: Requires some Spanish, comfort with crowds, and time for connections; not recommended at night or with heavy luggage.

Step-by-step: Local Bus + Shared Taxi

1. From arrivals, walk out to the main road (Avenida de la Independencia/Boyeros) where local buses and shared taxis pass; ask airport staff or locals for the nearest stop toward “La Habana”.
2. Board a city bus heading toward central Havana or a shared taxi marked for key areas such as “Vedado” or “Parque Central” and pay the small cash fare.
3. Get off near Parque Central or another major hub on the edge of Old Havana.
4. From there, either walk into Habana Vieja (10–15 minutes through the streets) or take a short connecting taxi or bicitaxi ride to your accommodation.
5. Repeat in reverse when leaving Havana, but allow plenty of time (at least 2 hours) in case of crowded buses or delays.

Getting to the main embarking points (Local Bus Stops)

• At the airport: Ask staff to point you to the nearest public bus stop on the main road; services and routes can change, so local advice is essential.
• In the city: Buses and shared taxis commonly run along main avenues and to hubs like Parque Central, from which Old Havana is easily walkable.
• Safety note: Keep valuables close, be mindful of pickpocketing in crowded vehicles, and avoid this option late at night or if you’re unfamiliar with the language.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Havana Jose Marti Airport to Old Havana)

How long does it take to get from Havana Airport to Old Havana?
Most direct trips by taxi or private transfer take around 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and exact location in Old Havana. Shared shuttles and buses can take longer because of intermediate stops.

How much is a taxi from the airport to Old Havana?
Official airport taxis typically charge about USD 25–35 (or the equivalent in EUR or CUP) per car for up to four passengers. Always agree the fare before getting in and confirm whether it’s per car, not per person.

Is there public transport from Havana Airport to the city center?
Yes, local buses and some intercity services run between the airport area and central Havana, but routes and schedules can change and they are not well signposted in English. They’re very cheap but less straightforward and can be crowded.

Is it better to prebook a transfer or just take a taxi?
If you arrive during daytime and are comfortable negotiating, taking a taxi from the rank is usually fine. If you land late, are traveling with children, or prefer to avoid haggling after a long flight, prebooking a transfer with a service like Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer gives you a fixed price and a driver waiting at arrivals.

Can I pay by card or do I need cash?
Most taxis and local buses are cash-only. Bring a mix of small and large notes in EUR or USD and some CUP if possible; card payment is still limited in Cuba, especially for transport.

• useful references:
• https://www.cubatravel.cu/en/
• https://visitcuba.com/
• https://www.cuba.travel/en/useful-information/tourist-information-centers-in-cuba