About Havana José Martí International Airport (HAV)

Cuba’s largest airport and the main international gateway to the country, Havana José Marti International Airport is a short distance from the capital Havana. Our guide to the airport includes vital information for passengers, including details of terminal facilities, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.

Information:

There are several information desks in the arrivals and departures areas of Terminals 2 and 3. There are also various tourist information points throughout the terminals. Tour operators and travel agency offices are located in Terminal 3.

Website:

Driving directions:

From central Havana head south on Avenida de la Independencia, before turning off onto Autopista Este-Oeste. From here take route 114 and follow exit signs for the airport and terminal complex. The total drive time from central Havana to the airport is approximately 20 minutes.

Transfer between terminals:

A shuttle bus service connects the four terminals.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus: There are limited public bus services to and from the airport. Local buses are available outside Terminal 1, but payment is required in non-convertible Cuban pesos, which are difficult for foreigners to obtain. Other than this, the closest local bus services leave from the VIAZUL bus station in the Vedado district, which is 15km (9 miles) from the airport and only accessible via taxi. Tickets for the VIAZUL bus can be purchased in the arrivals hall of the airport.

Taxi: Metered taxis are available to the city centre (journey time: 20-30 minutes; fare: CUC$20-25). Numerous taxi companies serve the airport, including Taxi Vinales Cuba (tel: +53 58343180; www.taxivinalescuba.com), which offers taxi booking in advance; otherwise cabs can be hailed from outside all terminals. There are plenty of unofficial cabbies in Cuba, typically they drive vintage American cars or beaten up Ladas. Be wary of drivers claiming their meters are broken, a common tourist scam in the area, and always agree on fares beforehand.

Terminal facilities

Money:

Bureaux de change services can be found in Terminals 2 and 3, while a 24-hour bank and ATMs are also located in Terminal 3.

Food:

Terminal 3 has plenty of bars and restaurants. Terminal 2 has a restaurant on the second floor along with a selection of bars. There are no food services in the domestic terminal (Terminal 1).

Shopping:

There is a wide choice of shops at Havana José Marti International Airport, with options in Terminals 2 and 3. These include bookshops, newsagents, duty-free shopping and off-licences selling rum and cigars.

Luggage:

There are no luggage lockers at Havana José Marti International Airport. All lost property enquires are handled by the dedicated Lost and Found Office (tel: +53 7 649 5777) located in Terminal 3.

Other:

Other facilities at Havana José Marti International Airport include a pharmacy, medical facilities and a children’s play area in Terminal 3.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

There are no conference facilities at Havana José Marti International Airport, although there are two VIP lounges in Terminal 3 (tel: +53 7 642 6225) and one in Terminal 2 serving a handful of European airlines (+53 7 642 0247) that offer standard lounge amenities and facilities.

Communication Facilities:

There is an on-site post office and public telephones are available for both domestic and international calls within the terminals. There is no free Wi-Fi access throughout the airport, but Terminal 3 offers internet access for a small fee. You will usually need to purchase Internet time in the form of a receipt or scratchcard that gives you a login and password, but the terminal’s internet cafes can be a cheaper option.

Disabled facilities:

Lifts are located at various points within the terminals. Wheelchair transportation can be provided between aircrafts and Arrivals/Departures; passengers requiring wheelchairs and special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel.

Car parking:

Car parking is available at Terminals 1, 2 and 3, within lots situated less than 150m (490ft) from the terminals. Terminal 3 has 750 slots while Terminals 1 and 2 have 500 slots each. Both short and long-term parking are available for a fee.

Car rental:

Car hire companies represented at Havana José Marti International Airport include: Cubanacar, Rex (limousines and luxury cars), Havanautos and Via Transgaviota. All car hire agencies are located in the Arrivals halls of each terminal. Booking in advance is recommended, with prices varying from CUC 50 to 125 depending on the car type and time of year, and minimum driving age varying by firm from 21 to 30 years old in some cases. Insurance is mandatory and costs around CUC 15 per day.