1

My family did it six years ago. They rode halfway - to the former Hershey station.

If the trains run, a day trip should be easy - the problem is having a backup plan in case the power fails. (Cubans have told me of spending half a day sitting stranded on the train.) (With my family, I drove the car parallel to the train, just in case.)

see http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=81907&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+havanatimes%2Fapge+%28Havana+Times+Posts%29

2

I have ridden the Hershey train several times. Catch the 12:30 mid day departure from Casablanca, get off at Hershey and catch the train coming from Matanzas back to Casablanca. That should get you back to Casablanca around 4:30 or 5. Or, you can wait for the last train back from Hershey which will give you a few hours to walk around Hershey and get you back into Casablanca around 8 or so.

The reliability record used to be dismal but the engineers tell me that they have repaired some equipment and it is much better now. In spite of these new improvements, I would not recommend any train trip for someone who would feel uncomfortable finding their way back home. That really is pretty easy.

I really recommend riding the Hershey train since it is a real Cuban experience.

3

Thanks for that Bobmichaels. I would prefer to walk around a bit at Hershey rather than take the next train back. Given the reliability others have pointed out. What options are there if the later train does not show up? Are there other modes of transport back to Havana?

4

What options are there if the later train does not show up? Are there other modes of transport back to Havana?

The standard way many get around in Cuba, find someone with a car and pay them to take you home. That may sound a bit sketchy, but really is normal there.

5

Ditto all that Bob says above- the Hershey train will definitely be an experience! You will not be left stranded- once we all got loaded into dump trucks and taken back o Havana! It is not the destination it is the voyage that counts....Have fun!

6

A couple of US companeros of mine did it as recently as Tuesday last week. The train was running, they went to the town of Hershey for the day and got back to Havana with minimal hassle. They thought the trip was well worthwhile and the price a couple of CUC or thereabouts.

7

Oh yes - when my family rode it, they paid in CUP despite not speaking any Spanish.

8

I have sometimes paid in CUP then other times been told I must pay in CUC. "Es Cuba"