MoeFOH Posted June 17, 2020 Posted June 17, 2020 Absolute favourite form of travel for me. That said, some of the above looks like it's giving "dodgy" a whole new meaning. 1
Habana Mike Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 We could have taken the train to the beach parties and the marina! Who knew? 2
ralphden Posted July 5, 2021 Posted July 5, 2021 Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised that there is such a transport of movement that allows you to travel, as far as I know, this is a very cheap way to travel by rail, this method is suitable for those who are not ready to fork out, there are some inconveniences, but as for the trip itself, from point A to point B they deliver without problems. I really like that Germany has implemented such a movement by train, the information I am interested in and all the other data about train schedules and routes. I don't often travel by train or commuter train, but when I need it, I use this type of transport. For the general public, this is a convenient form of transport.
La_Tigre Posted July 5, 2021 Posted July 5, 2021 1 hour ago, ralphden said: Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised that there is such a transport of movement that allows you to travel, as far as I know, this is a very cheap way to travel by rail, this method is suitable for those who are not ready to fork out, there are some inconveniences, but as for the trip itself, from point A to point B they deliver without problems. Been to Cuba have you….? 😂 😂 2
Ryan Posted July 5, 2021 Posted July 5, 2021 I had heard of the Hershey train but I've never seen it in the flesh. I've been tempted over the years to take the train out to Santiago, spend a day or two there and then back to Havana. I don't mind a 13 hour train ride or roughing it a bit, pickpockets don't bother me anymore. All I'd need is some water/rum and a bag of some ham and bread. It's a nice way of seeing the countryside. I've never really had enough time in Havana though to take the risk of the return train being "off" long enough to miss my flight out of Havana. Ideally, 1 day to get there, 2 or 3 days there and a 3-4 day cushion to make it back to Havana. I'm not taking the flight, not renting car in Cuba, and it's too long, uncomfortable and expensive in a car with a driver. Someday I'll find the time. Has anyone here ever taken the train from Havana to Santiago and back? Any experiences? 3
Popular Post Nino Posted July 5, 2021 Popular Post Posted July 5, 2021 I'd also do HAV-Santiago in a train @Ryan - just checked and it might be doable in the new Chinese trains that Cuban Railways has as these have A/C and First & Second Class plus a Cafeteria according tho this Information below. But no 13 hrs even though it says Express - more like 16hrs ... if all goes well and not much to see as it is mostly in the dark.. 🙂 https://www.seat61.com/Cuba.htm Experience the real Cuba by train... Cuba is a fantastic country, with very friendly and hospitable people - and Havana has to be one of the most vibrant cities worldwide. It's a safe place to visit, too, unless you fall down one of the many potholes in the street. Cuba's rail network runs the length of the island linking the main cities and towns, and it's an interesting way to get around, especially if you want to travel with Cubans the way Cubans do, not in a tourist bus. Don't expect western standards, take your own toilet paper and allow for the odd breakdown - all part of the experience. However, brand-new Chinese-built cars entered service in July 2019 on all the main routes across the island, with air-conditioning and cafeteria, fewer stops, faster journeys, increased frequency. Taking the train across Cuba is much better than taking a cramped long-distance Viazul bus or worse, a flight... Havana - Santa Clara - Camagüey - Santiago de Cuba & branches to Holguin, Bayamo, Guantanamo Havana - Santiago main line A new dawn for train travel in Cuba? Click for route map... Forget everything you read about train travel in Cuba before July 2019, it's all changed! In July 2019 a whole tranche of brand-new Chinese-built cars entered service, with air-conditioned seating, non-air-con seating and a cafeteria car. Speed and frequency was increased, new fares and new booking arrangements introduced, with the booking horizon extended from 5 days to 30. More new cars were due to be delivered in 2020 and 2021. If you have any more information or photos that might help other travellers or keep this page updated, please email me! Timetable eastbound Havana ► Santa Clara ► Camagüey ► Santiago de Cuba Km Train number: 1 7 5 3 103 101 See note below for days of running: A B B B C D 0 Havana Estación Central depart * * * * * - Havana La Coubre station 15:30 17:20 18:35 20:50 22:20 90 Matanzas 17:29 20:09 20:39 22:49 00:45 286 Santa Clara 20:22 23:09 23:39 01:42 06:25 12:26 ?? Guayos 21:42 00:38 01:10 03:10 08:29 ??:?? - Sancti Spiritus | | | | 09:45 | 436 Ciego de Avila 23:03 02:11 02:48 04:26 ??:?? - Moron*** | | | | | 538 Camagüey 01:25 04:40 05:17 06:51 21:28 714 Bayamo | 09:45 | | | - Manzanillo | 12:00** | | | 652 Las Tunas 03:37 07:29 09:03 ??:?? 729 Cacocúm | 09:00 10:32 | - Holguin | 09:45 | | 884 Guantanamo | 14:34 | 854 Santiago de Cuba arrive 07:20 06:00 How to buy tickets... There is no online booking, you must buy in person. Since July 2019 tickets are sold by State-owned travel agency Viajero which has offices all over Cuba, including at or near most major rail stations. A number of seats on each train are set aside for foreign visitors, so you may well find tickets available even at short notice even when seats are sold out for locals. A waiting list is kept even for trains that are full - several correspondents have reported that they got places on the train easily enough even after being waitlisted. In Havana, you can buy train tickets at the Viajero office at La Coubre station on the Avenida del Peurto, see the photo below left. You get a number from a staff member at the door, they call out your number when it's your turn to be served. It's now reported that this office is only for last-minute tickets on the day of travel, if you want to book tickets in advance you should use on of the other Viajero offices around the city. Feedback would be appreciated. Booking for the new Chinese-built trains opens 30 days before departure, and you can book both an outward and a return journey from the station you're at. Pre-2019 booking only opened 5 days ahead (it's still 5 days ahead for other trains) and you needed to book your return journey at the destination station when you got there. Remember to bring your passport. The Viajero office at Havana La Coubre station. Courtesy of David Bramwell. Entrance to platforms at La Coubre. You must confirm your ticket 1 hour before departure... You must arrive at the station at least 1 hour before the train leaves, to have your ID checked and your ticket stamped at the confirmation counter. This allows people on the standby list to be given tickets when there's a no-show. The ticket confirmation counter usually opens 2 hours before the train leaves. Luggage limits... You can take 1 small item and 2 larger bags, not exceeding 35Kg in total (children under 12 get half this allowance). The total dimensions of any bag (length + width + height) must not exceed 160cm. You take your bags with you onto the train and place them on the racks above or near your seat. You may not bring alcohol or sharp items on board. Back to top What are the trains like? New Chinese-built trains (trains 1-8)... Brand new trains built in China went into service on Cuba's premier train routes in July 2019, with more due to be delivered in 2020. Each train consists of 12 cars, made up of a generator car, 7 x 2nd class cars with opening windows & ceiling fans and 4 air-conditioned 1st class cars, one of which contains a cafeteria. Note that the two classes are sometimes called primera & primera especial and sometimes called segunda & primera, which can be confusing! The seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width in both classes, they all recline and can be rotated to face the direction of travel. There are drop-down seat-back tables and individual reading lights. Legroom is the same in both classes as all cars have 72 seats, the real difference between classes is that 1st class is air-conditioned with red leather seats and 2nd class isn't air-con and has blue fabric seats and opening windows. There is an audio system and TV screens in 1st class, but only audio in 2nd class. Each car has two toilets and an attendant's room, plus a cold water drinking fountain. The trains are all non-smoking, and bringing alcohol or sharp objects such as knives is not permitted. This first batch of new cars do not have at-seat power sockets, but later deliveries may have. A refreshment package costing 20 CUP is optional, can be bought when you buy your ticket or can be bought on board. For luggage limits, see above. A request: If you get any photos of these new trains in service, including scenery, the refreshment package, or cafeteria car, please get in touch! The new Chinese-built trains, newly-delivered. Photos in this section courtesy of Oscar Jalice. 1st class seats, air-conditioned. The red leather reclining seats are rotatable to face the direction of travel. See larger photo. 2nd class seats, non-air-con, with opening windows. Blue fabric reclining seats, rotatable to face direction of travel. See larger photo. 1st class on the first train to run with the new cars. Carriage attendants on the new trains... Refreshment trolley on one of the new trains... 2nd class seats on the new trains, in service. 1st class seats. Larger photo. New Chinese-built 1st class car in service... Other express trains... Other trains consist of older cars, in many cases bought second-hand from Germany, Mexico or Japan. In spite of travelling overnight, there are no sleeping-cars or sleeping accommodation of any kind - the trains just have reclining leatherette seats. These trains are an experience - don't expect them to be the cleanest or best maintained trains you will see! These older cars will eventually be replaced as more Chinese-built cars are delivered. 5 2
Ryan Posted July 5, 2021 Posted July 5, 2021 3 hours ago, Nino said: I'd also do HAV-Santiago in a train @Ryan - just checked and it might be doable in the new Chinese trains that Cuban Railways has as these have A/C and First & Second Class plus a Cafeteria according tho this Information below. But no 13 hrs even though it says Express - more like 16hrs ... if all goes well and not much to see as it is mostly in the dark.. 🙂 https://www.seat61.com/Cuba.htm Experience the real Cuba by train... Cuba is a fantastic country, with very friendly and hospitable people - and Havana has to be one of the most vibrant cities worldwide. It's a safe place to visit, too, unless you fall down one of the many potholes in the street. Cuba's rail network runs the length of the island linking the main cities and towns, and it's an interesting way to get around, especially if you want to travel with Cubans the way Cubans do, not in a tourist bus. Don't expect western standards, take your own toilet paper and allow for the odd breakdown - all part of the experience. However, brand-new Chinese-built cars entered service in July 2019 on all the main routes across the island, with air-conditioning and cafeteria, fewer stops, faster journeys, increased frequency. Taking the train across Cuba is much better than taking a cramped long-distance Viazul bus or worse, a flight... Havana - Santa Clara - Camagüey - Santiago de Cuba & branches to Holguin, Bayamo, Guantanamo Havana - Santiago main line A new dawn for train travel in Cuba? Click for route map... Forget everything you read about train travel in Cuba before July 2019, it's all changed! In July 2019 a whole tranche of brand-new Chinese-built cars entered service, with air-conditioned seating, non-air-con seating and a cafeteria car. Speed and frequency was increased, new fares and new booking arrangements introduced, with the booking horizon extended from 5 days to 30. More new cars were due to be delivered in 2020 and 2021. If you have any more information or photos that might help other travellers or keep this page updated, please email me! Timetable eastbound Havana ► Santa Clara ► Camagüey ► Santiago de Cuba Km Train number: 1 7 5 3 103 101 See note below for days of running: A B B B C D 0 Havana Estación Central depart * * * * * - Havana La Coubre station 15:30 17:20 18:35 20:50 22:20 90 Matanzas 17:29 20:09 20:39 22:49 00:45 286 Santa Clara 20:22 23:09 23:39 01:42 06:25 12:26 ?? Guayos 21:42 00:38 01:10 03:10 08:29 ??:?? - Sancti Spiritus | | | | 09:45 | 436 Ciego de Avila 23:03 02:11 02:48 04:26 ??:?? - Moron*** | | | | | 538 Camagüey 01:25 04:40 05:17 06:51 21:28 714 Bayamo | 09:45 | | | - Manzanillo | 12:00** | | | 652 Las Tunas 03:37 07:29 09:03 ??:?? 729 Cacocúm | 09:00 10:32 | - Holguin | 09:45 | | 884 Guantanamo | 14:34 | 854 Santiago de Cuba arrive 07:20 06:00 How to buy tickets... There is no online booking, you must buy in person. Since July 2019 tickets are sold by State-owned travel agency Viajero which has offices all over Cuba, including at or near most major rail stations. A number of seats on each train are set aside for foreign visitors, so you may well find tickets available even at short notice even when seats are sold out for locals. A waiting list is kept even for trains that are full - several correspondents have reported that they got places on the train easily enough even after being waitlisted. In Havana, you can buy train tickets at the Viajero office at La Coubre station on the Avenida del Peurto, see the photo below left. You get a number from a staff member at the door, they call out your number when it's your turn to be served. It's now reported that this office is only for last-minute tickets on the day of travel, if you want to book tickets in advance you should use on of the other Viajero offices around the city. Feedback would be appreciated. Booking for the new Chinese-built trains opens 30 days before departure, and you can book both an outward and a return journey from the station you're at. Pre-2019 booking only opened 5 days ahead (it's still 5 days ahead for other trains) and you needed to book your return journey at the destination station when you got there. Remember to bring your passport. The Viajero office at Havana La Coubre station. Courtesy of David Bramwell. Entrance to platforms at La Coubre. You must confirm your ticket 1 hour before departure... You must arrive at the station at least 1 hour before the train leaves, to have your ID checked and your ticket stamped at the confirmation counter. This allows people on the standby list to be given tickets when there's a no-show. The ticket confirmation counter usually opens 2 hours before the train leaves. Luggage limits... You can take 1 small item and 2 larger bags, not exceeding 35Kg in total (children under 12 get half this allowance). The total dimensions of any bag (length + width + height) must not exceed 160cm. You take your bags with you onto the train and place them on the racks above or near your seat. You may not bring alcohol or sharp items on board. Back to top What are the trains like? New Chinese-built trains (trains 1-8)... Brand new trains built in China went into service on Cuba's premier train routes in July 2019, with more due to be delivered in 2020. Each train consists of 12 cars, made up of a generator car, 7 x 2nd class cars with opening windows & ceiling fans and 4 air-conditioned 1st class cars, one of which contains a cafeteria. Note that the two classes are sometimes called primera & primera especial and sometimes called segunda & primera, which can be confusing! The seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width in both classes, they all recline and can be rotated to face the direction of travel. There are drop-down seat-back tables and individual reading lights. Legroom is the same in both classes as all cars have 72 seats, the real difference between classes is that 1st class is air-conditioned with red leather seats and 2nd class isn't air-con and has blue fabric seats and opening windows. There is an audio system and TV screens in 1st class, but only audio in 2nd class. Each car has two toilets and an attendant's room, plus a cold water drinking fountain. The trains are all non-smoking, and bringing alcohol or sharp objects such as knives is not permitted. This first batch of new cars do not have at-seat power sockets, but later deliveries may have. A refreshment package costing 20 CUP is optional, can be bought when you buy your ticket or can be bought on board. For luggage limits, see above. A request: If you get any photos of these new trains in service, including scenery, the refreshment package, or cafeteria car, please get in touch! The new Chinese-built trains, newly-delivered. Photos in this section courtesy of Oscar Jalice. 1st class seats, air-conditioned. The red leather reclining seats are rotatable to face the direction of travel. See larger photo. 2nd class seats, non-air-con, with opening windows. Blue fabric reclining seats, rotatable to face direction of travel. See larger photo. 1st class on the first train to run with the new cars. Carriage attendants on the new trains... Refreshment trolley on one of the new trains... 2nd class seats on the new trains, in service. 1st class seats. Larger photo. New Chinese-built 1st class car in service... Other express trains... Other trains consist of older cars, in many cases bought second-hand from Germany, Mexico or Japan. In spite of travelling overnight, there are no sleeping-cars or sleeping accommodation of any kind - the trains just have reclining leatherette seats. These trains are an experience - don't expect them to be the cleanest or best maintained trains you will see! These older cars will eventually be replaced as more Chinese-built cars are delivered. Thanks for that Nino. Looks like the service should be more reliable. Unless the tracks are also an issue.. I think I'd choose 2nd class. Window opening mechanisms are less likely to break than air conditioning systems.. With the older carriages, I had notions of slatted wooden bench seats, chickens running around, a pot of coffee on a stove at the back of the carriage and maybe an open air caboose at the back of the train for a cigar! The newer trains do look more comfortable though, a Santiago trip now a possibility! Thanks again. 1 1
Corylax18 Posted July 6, 2021 Posted July 6, 2021 On 7/5/2021 at 5:54 AM, Nino said: I'd also do HAV-Santiago in a train @Ryan - just checked and it might be doable in the new Chinese trains that Cuban Railways has as these have A/C and First & Second Class plus a Cafeteria according tho this Information below. But no 13 hrs even though it says Express - more like 16hrs ... if all goes well and not much to see as it is mostly in the dark.. 🙂 23 hours ago, Ryan said: Thanks for that Nino. Looks like the service should be more reliable. Unless the tracks are also an issue.. I think I'd choose 2nd class. Window opening mechanisms are less likely to break than air conditioning systems.. With the older carriages, I had notions of slatted wooden bench seats, chickens running around, a pot of coffee on a stove at the back of the carriage and maybe an open air caboose at the back of the train for a cigar! The newer trains do look more comfortable though, a Santiago trip now a possibility! Thanks again. I flew out to Holguin and back through Santiago a few years ago. It was when Cubana was essentially a paper airline domestically. They where running a single daily roundtrip between Havana and 3 other cities with a single wet leased A320. They would have needed 3 aircraft to maintain the published schedule, but instead they just delayed every flight, after the first two, every day. They were using that plane about 21 hours a day, every day. I sat in the Santiago Airport for over 8 hours waiting for the return flight to eventually leave around 130am, that got us into Havana around 330am. My flight from Havana to Holguin a few days earlier was about 2.5 hrs late. The group that went to SdC for the Partagas Rum event earlier in the week dealt with the same thing. It was still worth it, Santiago is absolutely beautiful. Much smaller and better maintained than Havana. Really everywhere I visited in the Granma Province. Bayamo is a very cool town Other than one very unsettling experience at the bus station about 1 minute after I arrived, I never felt unsafe there. I've heard all the rumors about pickpockets, but I didn't have any issues. I did start riding the NYC Subway alone when I was about 12 though, so my opinion may be slightly skewed. 🤣 Even with new carriages, I'm guessing it would take a lot longer than 13 hours each way, it took about that long to fly each way, but I would still be in. I think it would be a very interesting trip. I'd probably gamble on 1st class, but I agree with you, its a gamble. 2
Ryan Posted July 6, 2021 Posted July 6, 2021 57 minutes ago, Corylax18 said: I flew out to Holguin and back through Santiago a few years ago. It was when Cubana was essentially a paper airline domestically. They where running a single daily roundtrip between Havana and 3 other cities with a single wet leased A320. They would have needed 3 aircraft to maintain the published schedule, but instead they just delayed every flight, after the first two, every day. They were using that plane about 21 hours a day, every day. I sat in the Santiago Airport for over 8 hours waiting for the return flight to eventually leave around 130am, that got us into Havana around 330am. My flight from Havana to Holguin a few days earlier was about 2.5 hrs late. The group that went to SdC for the Partagas Rum event earlier in the week dealt with the same thing. It was still worth it, Santiago is absolutely beautiful. Much smaller and better maintained than Havana. Really everywhere I visited in the Granma Province. Bayamo is a very cool town Other than one very unsettling experience at the bus station about 1 minute after I arrived, I never felt unsafe there. I've heard all the rumors about pickpockets, but I didn't have any issues. I did start riding the NYC Subway alone when I was about 12 though, so my opinion may be slightly skewed. 🤣 Even with new carriages, I'm guessing it would take a lot longer than 13 hours each way, it took about that long to fly each way, but I would still be in. I think it would be a very interesting trip. I'd probably gamble on 1st class, but I agree with you, its a gamble. Thanks for that. Interesting to hear your experience. I remember seeing some of the group who went to Santiago for the Partagas event, later that day and the following day. The delays ruined the trip for a lot of them, but with Cuban public transport it has to be expected. When I mentioned "pickpockets", what I meant was, if I fell asleep on the train. I've had enough attempts, successful and not, when awake to know what to look out for now! The train sounds better now, I'd still make sure to have a couple of days spare to get back to Havana before a flight out though. I have friends who have family there and sometimes take the drive, I may try to time a trip with them sometime. 2
Corylax18 Posted July 6, 2021 Posted July 6, 2021 15 minutes ago, Ryan said: Thanks for that. Interesting to hear your experience. I remember seeing some of the group who went to Santiago for the Partagas event, later that day and the following day. The delays ruined the trip for a lot of them, but with Cuban public transport it has to be expected. When I mentioned "pickpockets", what I meant was, if I fell asleep on the train. I've had enough attempts, successful and not, when awake to know what to look out for now! The train sounds better now, I'd still make sure to have a couple of days spare to get back to Havana before a flight out though. I have friends who have family there and sometimes take the drive, I may try to time a trip with them sometime. I think the Partagas Group only went for a day trip. That's a very long day. I went for 4 days, so while it wasn't great, it wasn't the end of the world. If everything had gone according to plan, I would have been picked up at Jose Marti and driven straight out to Hector's farm, mostly in the dark. I didn't know what I didn't know then. I've since made the PdR to Havana drive back in the dark and I have no desire to do it again.(I wasn't driving, but even for a pro its stressful) Instead I spent the rest of the night/morning with a Dutch dance team at their hotel in Havana caught up on sleep the next morning on the drive out to Hector's farm. So it all worked out fine. I think all the hassle is worth it for a 4 or 5 day trip, I would do it again. Havana is so different from anywhere else I've been on the island. Weather it be the Farms on the west side of the island, Bay of Pigs down south, or the Granma/Oriente provinces out east, the pace is MUCH slower. Prices are generally much better, you don't hear much/any English, far fewer tourists and more things to do/see than you can find time for. I'm rarely anxious to return to Havana after the trips I've taken to other parts of the island.
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