Rental Car or Private Taxi Between Cities in Cuba
Leaving Havana for Viñales, Trinidad or Varadero means deciding how to get there. The usual answer was to rent a car for the freedom it gives, or to hire a private taxi for the comfort. In 2026 that decision weighs differently: there is a fuel shortage, Visa and Mastercard cards have not worked since June, and blackouts leave roads poorly lit.
This guide compares the options for getting between cities in Cuba: rental car, private taxi and the Viazul bus. It does not explain how to arrange a rental or how to drive, because we already cover that in other articles linked below. Here the goal is to help you choose.
No price in this article is official: in Cuba they change within weeks. We explain how each one is set and what you should confirm before paying.
What transport between cities looks like in 2026
Canada, in its travel advisory updated on September 28, 2026, describes getting around the island as “extremely difficult”, with long queues at gas stations and sometimes altercations. Fuel availability has dropped and is hard to predict. Spain, for its part, warns of serious problems in intercity and urban transport, and recommends checking your return transport before leaving Havana.
With that picture, the question is no longer just which is cheapest. It is which one is least likely to leave you stranded mid-journey.
Renting a car: freedom with conditions
What you gain
A car lets you stop wherever you want, change your route and not depend on timetables. For a multi-day trip with several stops, it is still the most flexible option. Cuban rental agencies, such as Cubacar, Havanautos and Rex, belong to Transtur, and the operator warns that availability is limited, so book in advance.
Fuel, the big problem
This is the biggest risk. The operator says it has arrangements for the first tank, but the press has reported cars handed over with fewer liters than promised or with no fuel at all. These are individual cases, not the rule, and even so they say a lot about the state of supply. Ask in writing how much fuel the agency provides and how it is replenished afterwards.
How to pay today
Since June 6, 2026, Visa and Mastercard cards are not accepted in Cuba, whichever bank issued them. This affects both the payment and the deposit for the rental. We have not found a recent statement from the operator clarifying how the deposit is now handled, so ask them in writing before booking and do not assume you will be able to pay by card.
Insurance, accidents and roads
Canada warns that if the driver is at fault in an accident, the agency may void the insurance coverage and claim the cost from you, and that the authorities may prevent you from leaving the country until you pay. Spain documents thefts from drivers of rental cars with tourist plates. On top of that, the roads are poorly maintained, with little signage and little light. If you decide on the car, first read Driving in Cuba 2026 and Renting a car in Cuba from abroad.
Private taxi between cities: comfort without the wheel
How the price is set
Taxis in Cuba have no meter: the price is agreed before departure, per trip. Some tour operators publish fixed rates, but there is no official tariff for tourists and the figures in circulation change. Always ask for the total price per vehicle, not per person, and what it includes: waiting time, stops and luggage. If you can, compare two quotes.
What you should check
Canada recommends using only official, identified taxis, and warns that they have no passenger insurance or standard seat belts. That is why it is better to book through your casa particular (a private room in a Cuban home) or through an agency that knows the driver, rather than accepting whoever approaches you in the street. The reference times operators give are about three hours to Viñales and four and a half hours to Trinidad, as long as the car does not run out of fuel. You can read more in Taxis in Cuba.
The Viazul bus, the third option
Viazul is the tourist bus that links the main cities. According to 2026 guides, from Havana it runs to Viñales (three to four hours), Varadero (two and a half to three hours), Cienfuegos (four to five hours) and Trinidad (five and a half to seven hours). The Ministry of Transport kept Viazul’s frequencies in May while cutting other services, but the press reports breakdowns and waits of hours, and there is no confirmation that it is running normally in October.
Book in advance and check on the Viazul website how to pay, because the guides are out of date on cards. If you have a flight, leave a margin: two tourists missed theirs because of a two-hour delay.
When to choose each option
- Rental car: if you travel in a group, do a round trip with several stops and are ready to handle the fuel, the insurance and the payment.
- Private taxi: if you make a specific trip, travel with luggage or children, or simply do not want to drive or look for gas.
- Viazul bus: if you travel alone or as a couple, the trip is on a main route and you can accept delays.
For a specific trip between two cities, a taxi with a driver usually means fewer headaches, although no option is free of surprises in 2026. For a long route with free stops, the car is only worth it if you accept the fuel risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to rent a car or hire a taxi in Cuba?
It depends on the trip. A private taxi spares you the rental paperwork and leaves the fuel problem in the driver’s hands, although a taxi can also be affected. The car gives freedom on routes with several stops, but you have to handle fuel, insurance and payment.
How do you pay for a rental car after the Visa and Mastercard suspension?
Those cards have not been accepted since June 6, 2026. There is no recent statement from the operator about the deposit, so ask in writing how it is paid before booking and bring cash.
How much does a private taxi between cities cost?
There is no official tariff for tourists: the price is agreed per trip before departure. Ask for the total per vehicle and what it includes, and compare at least two quotes.
Is there fuel for the rental car?
The shortage is serious. The operator says it provides the first tank, but cases of fewer liters than promised have been reported. Ask how much it provides and how it is replenished.
Is it safe to travel by private taxi between cities?
Canada recommends using official, identified taxis, and warns that they have no passenger insurance or standard seat belts. Book through your casa particular or an agency.
Does the Viazul bus run in 2026?
It operates, but there are breakdowns and delays of hours. Book in advance, leave a margin if you have a flight and check on its website how to pay.
Choose your transport before booking your accommodation
It is best to sort out transport between cities before you leave, because improvising it in Cuba in 2026 is where most of the risk lies. If you have doubts, write to us and we will check with the host or the driver before you book. You can also see the options for car rental in Havana.
