Jose Marti Airport is 18 km from central Havana. There is no metro or reliable bus for tourists, so you are looking at some form of taxi or transfer.
Price comparison
| Transport | Price (USD) | Price (EUR) | Time | Best for | |-----------|-------------|-------------|------|----------| | State taxi | 25-35 | ~23-32 | 25-40 min | Budget with comfort | | Classic car taxi | 30-40 | ~27-37 | 25-40 min | The Havana experience | | Private transfer | 25-45 | ~23-41 | 25-40 min | Fixed price, no negotiation | | Colectivo (shared) | 2-5 | ~2-5 | 40-60 min | Backpackers only |
Prices by destination
| Destination | State taxi (USD) | Private transfer (USD) | |------------|-----------------|----------------------| | Old Havana (Habana Vieja) | 30-40 | 30-45 | | Vedado | 25-35 | 25-40 | | Centro Habana | 25-35 | 25-40 | | Miramar | 20-30 | 20-35 | | Playas del Este | 35-50 | 35-55 |
The negotiation reality
Cuba does not work like most countries for transport pricing. State taxis have meters but drivers sometimes claim they are broken. Classic cars never had meters. The result is that every fare is a negotiation.
Knowing the fair price gives you leverage. For Old Havana, USD 30-35 is reasonable. If a driver asks for USD 50, counter with 30 and settle around 35. Be polite — aggressive bargaining is not the Cuban way.
Cash is king
This is critical: bring enough cash for your transfer. Cuban ATMs frequently fail with foreign cards, especially US-issued ones. Credit card machines are rare outside hotels. The CADECA exchange booth at the airport can change EUR or USD to CUP, but the queue can be long.
Most taxi drivers prefer USD. Some accept EUR at a roughly fair rate. CUP is accepted but you will need a lot of notes for the equivalent amount.
Pre-booked transfers
A pre-booked transfer at USD 25-45 avoids the negotiation entirely. The price is fixed, the driver is waiting with your name, and you can often pay in advance through the booking platform. This is the most stress-free option, especially for first-time Cuba visitors.
Bottom line
Budget USD 25-40 for the airport-to-Havana trip. Bring cash. If you want zero hassle, pre-book. If you want the experience, negotiate a classic car fare and enjoy the ride along the Malecon into the city.