Train travel in Cuba . . .

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 Country information

Cuba is a fantastic country. Cubans are very hospitable people and Havana has to be one of the most vibrant cities in the world.  It's a safe place to visit, too, unless of course you fall down one of the many potholes in the street...  Cuba's rail network runs the length of the island, linking the main cities and towns.  Cuban trains are an interesting way to get around, especially if you want to travel with Cubans the way Cubans do, and not in a tourist bus.  Don't expect western standards on the trains, take your own toilet paper, and allow for the odd breakdown - think of it as all part of the Cuba experience!  In particular, the new 'Tren Francès' from Havana to Santiago is a safe, comfortable and (contrary to popular opinion) now reasonably reliable way to make the trip from one end of Cuba to the other, much better than taking a cramped long-distance Viazul bus or worse, a flight...

On this page:   Train times for Cuba    Train fares    What are Cuban trains like?     How to buy train tickets

Far left:  Havana's Estación Central. Left:  A train from Santiago arrives in Havana.

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Here is the timetable for the main line linking Havana, Santa Clara, Camagüey & Santiago de Cuba, and the branch lines to Sancti Spiritus, Holguin, Cienfuegos, Moron, Bayamo & Guantanamo.  Information on Cuban train services is difficult to confirm, so treat this as a guide, and check exact times locally.  The shortage of fuel in Cuba can sometimes affect buses and local trains, but these mainline trains have priority.  Fares for foreigners are also shown below.

Havana ► Santa Clara ► Camagüey ► Santiago de Cuba
Train number:	3*	5	7	9	25	23	29
See note below:	A	C	C	C	D	E	R
Havana (Estación Central)	17:30	18:25	18:45	20:15	19:40	12:00	17:10
Matanzas	|	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx
Santa Clara	20:45?	22:00?	22:00?	01:00?	xx:xx	15:00?	xx:xx
Cienfuegos	|	|	|	|	|	|	|
Sancti Spiritus	|	|	|	|	05:30	|	|
Ciego de Avila	|	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx		xx:xx	xx:xx
Moron	|	|	|	|		|	00:55
Camagüey	01:00?	05:00?	05:00?	xx:xx		21:00
Bayamo	|	|	|	16:00
Cacocúm	|	xx:xx	xx:xx
Holguin	|	|	|
Guantanamo	|	12:20	|
Santiago de Cuba	08:30		15:30

* = recommended train, see note A below.

? = guesstimated calling time, please check locally.

xx:xx = calling time unknown.

All trains, even overnight ones, only have seats.  There are no couchettes or sleeping-cars in Cuba.

Note A:  'Tren Francés' (the French Train).  Currently (from June 2009 onwards) running every third day.  This is the recommended train to take, air-conditioned and contrary to what some guidebooks say, reasonably reliable.  It is a fast service using comfortable air-conditioned stainless steel coaches with reclining seats bought second-hand from France.  It offers two classes of seating, basic leatherette 'especial' and quite luxurious (albeit grubby) 'primera especial'.  See the information & photos below.

Note B:  Runs every third day, on days when the Tren Frances isn't running, so together these trains provide a Havana-Santiago train on 2 out of 3 days.  Train 7& 8 has much more basic passenger cars than the Tren Francès.

Note C: Runs every second or third day.  You'll find a poster with the dates of running of each train posted at Havana central station.  Primera class seats only.

Note D:  Runs every second day.  You'll find a poster with the dates of running of each train posted at Havana central station.  Primera class seats only.

Note E:  Daily.  Primera class seats..

Note R:  Daily.  Fast air-conditioned railcar, either Canadian (see the pictures below) or Spanish.

Latest situation 2010... Cuban train services have changed quite a lot over the last few years, reflecting ever greater difficulties in keeping locomotives going and finding fuel.  These timetables reflect the latest update from summer 2009, with most long-distance trains now only running every 2 or 3 days.  If you have any more information that might help other travellers, please email me.

Santiago de Cuba ► Camagüey ► Santa Clara ► Havana
Train number:	4 *	6	8	10	26	24	24
See note above:	A	C	B	C	D	E	R
Santiago de Cuba	18:50		08:10
Guantanamo	|	12:30	|
Holguin	|	|	|
Cacocúm	|	xx:xx	xx:xx
Bayamo	|	|	|	00:55
Camagüey	23:30?	xx:xx	20:00?	xx:xx		06:10
Moron	|	|	|	|		|	00:50
Ciego de Avila	|	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx		xx:xx	xx:xx
Sancti Spiritus	|	|	|	|	19:40	|	|
Cienfuegos	|	|	|	|	|	|	|
Santa Clara	05:00?	xx:xx	00:00?	15:45?	01:15?	10:50?	03:45?
Matanzas	|	xx:xx	xx:xx	xx:xx	|	|	|
Havana Estación Central	10:00	06:30	04:50	20:30	05:45	15:10	08:10

Havana ► Pinar del Rio				Pinar del Rio ► Havana
(Train number:)	39	21		(Train number:)	40	22
(Notes)	Daily	F		(Notes)	Daily	F
Havana	17:00	22:35		Pinar del Rio	05:10	08:45
Pinar del Rio	21:10	04:20		Havana	09:20	14:30

Note F: Runs every second day only.

Fares...

Foreigners pay higher fares than Cubans.  Foreigners used to have to pay in US dollars, but since November 2004 US dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and foreigners pay train fares in 'convertible pesos'.  1 convertible peso = around US$1.20

One-way fares for foreigners
Havana - Santiago de Cuba:	62 convertible pesos in 'primera especial', train 3 or 4  (Tren Francès)
	50 convertible pesos in 'especial', train 3 or 4  (Tren Francès)
	30 convertible pesos in 'primera' class, train 7 or 8
Havana - Sancti Spiritus	14 convertible pesos in 'primera'
Havana - Moron	24 convertible pesos in 'primera'
Havana - Pinar del Rio	7 convertible pesos in 'primera'
Havana - Bayamo / Manzanillo	26 convertible pesos in 'primera'
Havana - Guantanamo	32 convertible pesos in 'primera'

Havana (Casablanca station) - Hershey - Matanzas (the famous Hershey Railway)

An electric railcar runs on a railway originally built by the Hershey Corporation (the chocolate company) from Havana (Casablanca station, across the harbour from Havana itself) to Hershey and Matanzas.  To reach Havana Casablanca station, take the ferry across the harbour from the foot of Santa Clara Street in Havana old town.  Once on the other side, Casablanca station is immediately west of the ferry dock,  looking more like a tram stop than a conventional station, so just follow the overhead electric wires along the street.  In Matanzas, the Hershey railway station is about 2km from Matanzas mainline station.  Foreigners pay in convertible pesos, Havana to Hershey is about 1.50 pesos, Havana to Matanzas about 2.8 pesos (1 convertible peso = $1.20). Tickets go on sale 1 hour before departure. The timetable changes every so often, so always double-check train times locally.  See the Hershey Railways photos below...

Havana ► Hershey ► Matanzas					Matanzas ► Hershey ► Havana
Havana Casablanca	06:11	12:27	17:51		Matanzas	05:16	11:30	16:54
Hershey	07:46	14:00	19:18		Hershey	07:46	14:00	19:28
Matanzas	10:10	16:24	21:52		Havana Casa.	09:17	15:27	20:55

The 'Tren Francés' Havana-Santiago (trains 3 & 4)

Fast trains 3 & 4 (renumbered from 1 & 2 in 2007, for some reason) between Havana and Santiago now use comfortable stainless-steel air-conditioned coaches bought second-hand from French Railways and now known as the 'Tren Francés'.  These coaches were originally used on the premier 'Trans-Europe Express' service between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam before being replaced with high speed 'Thalys' trains.  They were shipped to Cuba in 2001.

There are no sleeping-cars or couchettes, just seats in two classes - 'primera' (first class) and 'primera especial' (special first class).  'Primera' is the old European 2nd class, with vinyl padded seats 2-abreast on each side of the aisle.  'Primera especial' is the old European first class, with much more space and fabric seats arranged 2-abreast on one side of the aisle, one-abreast on the other side, as shown in the photo below.

The train is getting a little worn and grubby, but the seats are comfortable, there is powerful air-conditioning, a café, and even piped music.  A hostess looks after each coach.  Bring your own toilet paper..!  This train is normally fairly reliable, with up to three locomotives hauling it - in fact, if the 'Tren Francés' runs more than an hour late, Ferrocarriles de Cuba will refund your fare.

To quote one recent traveller, "The journey from Havana to Santa Clara was very comfortable and there were only 7 foreigners on a train full of friendly Cubans - a marked contrast to the rather grumpy 'tourist only' bus network."

Above right:  On board train 1 in 'primera especial' class.  It is comfortable, carpeted and air-conditioned, although not as new or clean as when the coaches ran between Amsterdam and Paris..!  Photo courtesy of Gregory Moreton& Alexia...

Above:  The 'French train' from Havana to Santiago.  These classy stainless-steel cars once ran between Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam!  Photo courtesy of Peter Jackson...		Above:  Primera especial on the French train Photo courtesy of Peter Jackson... Above right:  The hostess checks your ticket before boarding the 'primera especial' coach of the Tren Frances from Santiago to Havana.  Photo courtesy of Peter Jackson...

Air-conditioned railcars 

Some services (shown in the timetable above as 'Note R') are provided by railcars, either ex-Spanish Railways or stainless steel Budd railcars bought second-hand from VIA Rail Canada (shown below).  The latter are comfortable, carpeted, air-conditioned single-coach railcars with reclining seats, hostess service and refreshments.

Other trains

Other trains, such as trains 7 & 8 between Havana and Santiago overnight, consist of older cars, in many cases bought second-hand from Germany, Mexico or Japan.  In spite of travelling overnight, there are no sleeping-cars or sleeping accommodation of any kind - the trains just have reclining leatherette seats.  These trains are an experience - don't expect them to be the cleanest or best maintained trains you will see!

Hershey Railway Havana - Hershey - Matanzas

Above:  Hershey electric train at Havana's Casablanca station.  Photo courtesy of Kees Lafeber		Above:  The Hershey train as Hershey station...  Photo courtesy of Kees Lafeber

Foreign visitors can buy train tickets at the special LADIS booking office on the side of Havana Estacion Central.  At other stations, you can book at the normal ticket office.  It's best to book a day or two in advance if you can.

Children aged 0 to 4 travel free, children aged 5 to 11 travel at half fare, children aged 12 and over pay full fare.

Traveller Emil reports from a trip in 2008:  "You cannot buy a ticket from the Estacion Central, you have to go to a building around the corner, closer to the port [The LADIS office].  There are seats and you have to wait to be called.  I think we were called quite quickly though, being foreigners.  There are undesirables at the station that will offer to help confused tourists, so don't believe everything you're told. Foreigners have to pay in convertible pesos, abbreviated CUC. The locals pay the same amount, but in national pesos so actually they pay a lot less. We did this the day before - I am not sure if you can do this on the same day as you travel.  When you go to the station to catch your train, you first need to go to a window in the middle of the station where you confirm your ticket. You need to hand them your tickets together with your passports and they will fill in some paperwork. You must do this before getting on the train!  There are no signs or anything saying that you have to do this."

Right:  The driver of a Havana to Santiago train smoking a Havana cigar...

Far right:  The new passenger rail station at Santiago de Cuba.  The old one is now derelict.

It's probably the most adventurous timetable ever produced...  The famous Thomas Cook Overseas Timetable has train, bus and ferry times for Cuba and every other country in North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.  Published every two months, it's essential for any serious overland traveller, and an inspiration for armchair travellers!

This costs around £13.99 from the bureau de change inside any branch of Thomas Cook, or you can buy online at www.thomascooktimetables.com (look for 'Timetables' then 'Overseas Timetable').

Take a good guidebook to get the most from a trip to Cuba.  For independent travellers I'd recommend either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide, both guidebooks provide an excellent level of practical information and historical and cultural background.  Lonely Planet Cuba - Rough Guide to Cuba

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Or buy direct from the Lonely Planet website, with shipping worldwide.