{"id":53505,"date":"2026-10-07T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encuba.net\/?p=53505"},"modified":"2026-10-04T20:11:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T20:11:47","slug":"rental-car-or-private-taxi-between-cities-in-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encuba.net\/en\/rental-car-or-private-taxi-between-cities-in-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"Rental Car or Private Taxi Between Cities in Cuba"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leaving Havana for Vi\u00f1ales, 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.<\/p>\n

This guide compares the options for getting between cities in Cuba<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What transport between cities looks like in 2026<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

With that picture, the question is no longer just which is cheapest. It is which one is least likely to leave you stranded<\/strong> mid-journey.<\/p>\n

Renting a car: freedom with conditions<\/h2>\n

What you gain<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Fuel, the big problem<\/h3>\n

This is the biggest risk. The operator says it has arrangements for the first tank<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

\"Close-up
With fuel supply so limited, it is wise to plan every refill before you set off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to pay today<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong> and do not assume you will be able to pay by card.<\/p>\n

Insurance, accidents and roads<\/h3>\n

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<\/a> and Renting a car in Cuba from abroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Private taxi between cities: comfort without the wheel<\/h2>\n

How the price is set<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong>, not per person, and what it includes: waiting time, stops and luggage. If you can, compare two quotes.<\/p>\n

What you should check<\/h3>\n

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 Vi\u00f1ales 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Taxis
With a taxi booked in advance you do not have to look for fuel yourself, but the price must be agreed beforehand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Viazul bus, the third option<\/h2>\n

Viazul is the tourist bus that links the main cities. According to 2026 guides, from Havana it runs to Vi\u00f1ales (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.<\/p>\n

\"Long-distance
The bus saves you the driving, but it is not free of delays.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

When to choose each option<\/h2>\n