How to get to Cuba

Planning your journey to this captivating island requires some know-how, especially considering the various travel routes and options available depending on your starting point. In this guide, we'll explore how to get to Cuba from different regions, with tips from our local travel experts.

Flights from the UK and Ireland

Flying to Cuba from the UK and Ireland is relatively straightforward, with several options available. Direct flights to Havana, Cuba’s vibrant capital, are offered by major airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow.

For those flying from Ireland, there are no direct flights, but you can easily connect via London or other European hubs such as Madrid or Paris. Aer Lingus and Ryanair provide regular services to these connecting airports.

• A direct flight will take around 10 hours.
• Flights from the UK and Ireland to Cuba typically range from £500 to £800 or €580 to €930.

Flights from the US

Travelling to Cuba from the US has become more accessible in recent years, though there are still some regulations to navigate. 

Direct flights are available from several major US cities, including Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, with airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines providing regular services.

If you're looking for alternative routes, you can also fly to Cuba via third countries like Mexico, Canada, or the Bahamas. For instance, you could fly to Mexico City, Cancun, or Toronto and then catch a connecting flight to Havana or other Cuban cities like Varadero or Santiago de Cuba.

• A direct flight from Miami to Havana takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, while a flight from New York may take around 3 to 4 hours. 
• You can expect to pay roughly $200 to $600 for a round-trip ticket.

Flights from Canada

Before scheduled flights from the US were established, no country had more flights to Cuba than Canada and the two countries remain 

Direct flights to Cuban cities like Havana, Varadero, and Holguín are available from major Canadian airports, including Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Sunwing Airlines frequently service these routes.

• Flight durations range from about 4 hours from Toronto to Havana to nearly 6 hours from Vancouver.
• Return ticket prices can range from CAD 400 to CAD 900 for a round-trip ticket.

Flights from Australia and New Zealand

Flying to Cuba from Australia and New Zealand involves a bit more planning, as there are no direct flights. Travellers typically connect through major international hubs in the Americas or Europe. Common routes include flights from Sydney or Auckland to cities like Los Angeles, Miami, or Mexico City, and then onward to Havana. Airlines such as Qantas, Air New Zealand, and LATAM offer these connecting flights.

• Total travel time often exceeds 20 hours, including layovers.
• Flights from Australia to Cuba typically range from AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,500.
• Flights from New Zealand to Cuba typically range from NZD 1,600 to NZD 2,800.

Obtaining permission to travel to Cuba

To travel to Cuba from the US, you need to comply with US travel regulations. This typically means obtaining a travel licence under one of the 12 approved categories of travel, such as family visits, educational activities, or humanitarian projects.

Travel licences

Most travellers use a general licence, which doesn't require prior approval but does require that your trip fits one of the 12 categories. The categories include:

• Family visits
• Official government business
• Journalistic activities
• Professional research and professional meetings
• Educational activities
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
• Certain authorised export transactions

You must keep records of your travel activities and expenses for five years to prove that your trip complies with these regulations.

Travelling without a licence

For US citizens, travelling to Cuba without a licence is illegal, whether you fly direct or via another country. Some try to pass the legal obstacles by travelling via Canada, Mexico or other countries and buying tourist cards in those destinations to meet Cuban entry requirements, just like citizens of any other country. The penalty for travelling without a licence is a hefty fine and possible prison sentence.