Hi All,
We're returning to Cuba in the spring and wanted to travel from Havana to Santiago by air but have been really put off by all the Air Cubana reviews, so would to hear of alternatives. Any experience of hiring a car? Is it better to pay for a car and driver, or risk the buses?
Many thanks, Simon
I think most would advise against driving. Cheers Terry may be along in a bit to do his very good surmising of pros and cons of driving - bad road conditions, poor signage, the world and his/her bicycle, donkey, mule, horse and cart on the road, expensive, etc etc.
My husband and I drive quite a bit, but we'd not do all the way from Havana to Santiago in one day.
Buses are alright, in my view. I quite like the bus trip when we've done it in the past. And it's good value.
Don't think I'd want to do a straight through with a driver. It's a long way to be in close company.
I have driven - but I usually had a car full of Cubans.
Why "risk the buses" - what risk ?
Terry's post from TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147270-i91-k6952743-Rental_Car_The_BEST_way_to_see_Cuba_For_SOME_people-Cuba.html
How many stops are you thinking of, along the way ?
We plan to have two days in Havana before around five in Santiago and another two back in Havana. From the advice so far, much appreciated, booking an overnight coach each way looks favourite at the moment. Simon
If the bus ride is straight through non stop Havana to Santiago that is one long boring bus ride. I usually rent a car and drive and overnight midway in Camaguey.
It is long. The quickest would be the overnight at just under 15 hrs, I think. With some Night Nurse and a lightweight fleecy blanket, I can snooze most of the way.
2 days Havana, 5 days Santiago, 2 days Havana, I would definitely fly.
The bus journeys are very reliable, but long, uncomfortable, cold and boring.
Cubana does have delays and occasional cancellations but the vast majority of flights get to their destination more or less on time.
If you need a casa in Santiago PM me.
The advice to date is sound advice. Most Cuban internal flights leave when they are supposed to. A flight is 130 CUC one way and 170 CUC return. The buses are good but the journey is a long one- longer than a long haul flight. The bus journey is 50 CUC each way. Why not fly one way and catch the bus one way? And if you go by bus decide whether you want to travel by day and see something of Cuba or travel by night and use the bus as a bed for the night. Santiago is a great place - enjoy!
Tim