Getting There By Rail
Cuba is the only Caribbean island with a functioning rail service, which is operated by Ferrocarriles de Cuba. There is no national enquiries number but information can be obtained from the main station in Havana, the Estacion Central, between Calle Egido and Calle Arsenal (tel: (7) 621 920). The station tends to be rather crowded with patient passengers surrounded by large piles of luggage waiting for delayed trains. There is a café in the station to escape the chaos.
Rail services: Travelling by train is a great way to meet people but the service is notoriously unreliable with frequent delays and cancellations. The main, and best, route is from Havana to Santiago de Cuba via Matanzas, Santa Clara, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey and Las Tunas. The overnight express service between Havana and Santiago is the fastest, taking a minimum of 15 hours. There are several branch lines from this main line. There are no published timetables so it is imperative to check times well in advance and make a reservation in person at the Ladis ticket office (tel: (7) 621 770) (formerly Ferrotur) by the station, particularly for long journeys.
Transport to the city: As few foreign visitors arrive in Havana by train metered taxis at the railway station are scarce, but it is possible to find private ones. Visitors should always agree a price beforehand.
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