3 Ways To Do An Amazing Day Trip From Varadero To Havana 2023!

Are you planning to stay in Varadero for your upcoming Cuba holiday, but really don’t want to miss out on the infamous capital Havana? Wondering if a day trip from Varadero to Havana is a good idea?

Yes, it definitely is, Varadero is just over two hours away in a taxi that does not break down. But there are various ways to do this tour from Varadero to Havana, let me show you your options!

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Varadero To Havana Day Trip!

When planning a day trip from Varadero to Havana, you should prepare for a long day, in order to make the most of your day!

The first option for a day trip to Havana is to book a seat on an organized tour. The second option is to book a taxi, either a taxi privado or a taxi collectivo (a seat in a taxi you share with other travelers).

The third option is taking the Viazul bus. This is cheap and convenient, but not great for a day trip because of departure times. If you make it a two-day one-night trip, it will work like a charm!

1. Organized Day Tour From Varadero To Havana

If you opt for an organized day tour from Varadero to Havana, this day tour with Civitatis gets an overall high review for this short tour.

The ones that have “complaints”, say that one day really is not enough to experience Havana! And I could not agree more.

However, if you do have limited time to visit the sizzling Cuban capital, this day trip will get you the highlights of the city in a flash, and safely back to Varadero in the evening.

Pre-Booked Transport Round Trip

f you want more freedom to plan your day in Havana as you wish, you can also book a semi-organized tour in a sense, a private transfer from Varadero – Havana – Varadero!

On this round trip, there are no organized activities in Havana, so you have to fix that yourself.

On the bright side, you can plan your perfect day, be picked up at your preferred time in Varadero, and return from Havana at your decided time as well!

This pre-booked return trip in one day in a normal car with two passengers is around €260 (January 2023).

2. Taxi Trip From Varadero To Havana

If you go for a taxi transport from Varadero to Havana, a private taxi will be around €160-200 each way. The price fluctuates a bit, as Cubas’s private services weirdly are based on strict capitalist principles.

A private taxi is really convenient if you are 3-4 people. This will be around €40-50 per person each way, and you are taken easily from door to door!

Your hotel or casa particular host can help you book this taxi trip, as everyone knows someone who drives a taxi, either if it is a private one, or a collectivo.

The price for a seat in a collectivo to Havana one way will be around €30-50 in January 2023, this price also fluctuates a bit. It could be a normal car with room for four people, or something bigger.

A taxi Colectivo will drive around in Varadero to pick up all the passengers before departure, so you will be given time to be ready to go – and probably have to wait a bit for your pick-up.

The same procedure will take place in Havana for drop-off, and also for pick-up in the evening.

Top Tours In Havana Cuba: 
Classic Car Tour Of Havana
Day Trip To Vinales Valley 
Classic Car Beach Day Trip

You might be able to book a return trip with the same driver and car, ask your hotel or casa in Varadero if that is possible if you prefer this option.

Remember that taxi drivers prefer to be paid in euros in cash, and you can read about why that is in this article explaining all about money in Cuba.

3. Take The Viazul Bus To Havana And Stay The Night In A Casa Particular!

Because of departure times, a day trip from Varadero to Havana and back in one day with the Viazul bus is really not a great option.

But, if you should choose to stay the night in a classic Havana casa particular, the Viazul bus suddenly is a great option!

Remember that you can not book things online from within Cuba without a VPN. Therefore it is smart to do these bookings beforehand or download a good VPN before your trip like ExpressVPN (my savior working online from Cuba).

If you catch the 12:55 bus in the early afternoon from Varadero (you have to be at the bus station one hour prior to departure), you will arrive in Havana just before 4 pm.

Get a taxi from the bus station, and go to your (pre-booked) casa particuar in Old Havana (have the address and Cuban phone number available in case the taxi driver needs it).

Then set out to explore the city, there are so many things to do in Havana you are going to have to prioritize hard for only 24 hours!

You can experience Havana in a done-for-you way with organized tours, or just walk the streets and discover the plazas and parks and fascinating details of the old city.

Find a rooftop terrace for an afternoon mojito, get a taxi over to the old fortresses of Havana for the guard changing ceremony at 9 pm every night, or take a Kizomba dance class before you hit the city night!

Take a walk up to the Parque Central, down to the Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, and the lively district of the old city with a myriad of restaurants and bars to refresh yourself with a Cuban mojito!

Make sure you find the best places to have a quick snack, and the best paladares (privately owned restaurants) for your Havana dinner experience!

Not to mention that you will also get to experience Havana by night, and do not have to skip off just as the music pumps up the volume.

The next morning you can have a nice breakfast at your casa particular.

Or go out and find some of the best breakfast places in Havana before you still have hours to explore the city.

The bus back to Varadero leaves from the Omnibus station in Havana at 6:40 in the afternoon (remember to be there one hour before), and you’ll be back at your resort before the all-inclusive dinner closes!

You can book your return Viazul bus ticket online (unless you are American), and the best part – the return ticket is only $18 per person!

If you want to stay at a really nice hotel instead, my city escape when I need some peace and quiet in Havana is the Iberostar Grand Packard, check it out!

And here is how to get yourself from Havana to Vinales, if you want to add that to your itinerary!

Wrap-Up Day Trip From Varadero To Havana!

Here you have got a few different options on how to do a day trip from Varadero to Havana, or even a one-and-a-half day trip, which you probably will not regret either!

Once in Havana, there is a myriad of activities, tours, and excursions to keep you busy and fascinated, and whether you like this city or not – you will not forget it any time soon!

If you decide to stay in Varadero and prioritize exploring the area here more thoroughly, there are plenty of tours and excursions in Varadero and the surroundings as well.

I wish you had more time to spend in Havana, but I get it – holidays are for relaxing as well and do not come with infinite time available.

So I am glad you at least want to experience Havana while you are visiting!

Happy Travel Planning,

xoxo/H.